Jackson Pierson, UNH True Freshman, Hockey East Rookie of the Week

Jackson Pierson - Hockey East Rookie of the Week
(Photo Credit: Mike Nothnagel)

"(Pierson has been) able to play center in college and to do so seamlessly." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach, October 24th Press Conference

(Photo Credit: Mike Nothnagel)

When I first saw Jackson Pierson play hockey, he had recently turned 18 years old, was a senior at Culver Military Academy (Indiana), and was competing against kids his own age and younger. That was less than 10 months ago at the 2017 Edward G. Watkins Invitational Tournament at Cushing Academy. Yesterday, Pierson was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week. Needless to say, his transition from high school hockey player to freshman NCAA center has been impressive.

Rapid Progress at Culver Military Academy

Jackson Pierson verbally committed to UNH in Spring, 2017. He was 17 years old and had just completed his junior year season with the Culver Military Academy Eagles Prep team. Culver ended up ranked as the #5 18U Tier 1 team in the nation and Pierson lead the team in scoring with 28 goals and 34 assists in 36 games. Based on his age, size (5'10", 170 lbs.), level of competition (major midget teams), and Neutral Zone rating (3 and 3/4 Stars out of 5), I projected that he would enroll at UNH in the Fall of 2019 or '20. Boy, was I wrong.

Pierson signed a National Letter of Intent with UNH last November during the early signing period. That signaled that the UNH coaches were considering Pierson's matriculation in the Fall of 2019 and possibly 2018. Here are a few video clips of Pierson's play at the 2017 Watkin's Prep Holiday Tournament at Cushing Academy near the end of December, 2017:



Pierson's quickness, anticipation in the offensive zone, and moves to the net were impressive. He was named the Most Valuable Player and Culver won the Watkins/Cushing tournament. In addition, the Culver Prep team became the top ranked U18 Tier 1 team in the United States.

In early March, 2018, Culver Academy won the USA Hockey Mid-American Regional Tournament. Pierson tallied 4 goals and 3 assists in 4 games and upped his season totals to 24 goals and 50 assists in 39 games. A few days later, Mike Souza was officially introduced as the new Head Coach of the UNH Men's Hockey Team. In the press conference at the end of the proceedings, Souza announced that Jackson Pierson would enroll at UNH this Fall.

UNH Hockey Preseason Media Day

I had an opportunity to interview Jackson Pierson at the UNH Media Day on October 3rd. The team had been participating in "Captain's practices" for a few weeks with occasional input from the UNH coaches (per NCAA rules). I asked Jackson about his first structured interactions with older, mostly bigger NCAA hockey players.

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Now that you've had a few weeks of practice with the team, how does your game shape up compared to the upperclassmen? Are there any things that surprised you in terms of how well you're doing? Are there areas where you say this is an area I need to work on?

Jackson Pierson: The game's a lot faster so I'm getting used to the pace. Then there are the little things that you do, you need to bring every day. You have to be more consistent.

Mike Lowry: Coach Souza has talked about the speed of this team with a lot of speed up front and speed on the back end, and focusing on the transition. That's a strong part of your game. Do you think that's going to be an enjoyable aspect of playing at UNH?

Jackson Pierson: It's fun to play fast. It's the reason I came here. Playing fast, moving the puck a lot, that's what I'm looking to do.

First 4 Games on the Road

The 2018-19 UNH Wildcats faced the challenge of playing the first 2 games of the season at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY and the next 2 at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. In the opening game against Colgate, Jackson Pierson scored UNH's first goal of the season on his first official shot in his first NCAA game. It came on a UNH power play in the second period. As the Colgate play-by-play announcer said in this highlight video, Pierson is a "dynamic offensive player":



UNH lost 3 out of 4 games on the road, each by one goal, and tied Colorado 3-3 in the third game. Pierson played center on a line with sophomore Charlie Kelleher on right wing. Sophomore Kohei Sato played on the left wing in the first Colgate game while fellow freshman Angus Crookshank was on left wing in the other three games. Pierson's line was UNH's second in 2 games and the 3rd in the other 2 games. He also played meaningful minutes on UNH's power play.

Pierson notched his first NCAA assist on a nifty backhand pass to Ara Nazarian on a UNH power play in the first period of the 3-4 loss to Colorado College. Overall, he registered 8 shots on goal on the road and compiled a +3 plus/minus statistic.

At the midweek press conference following the Colorado College games, Coach Souza singled out Jackson Pierson's performance:

"We've been very impressed, in the early going, with Jackson Pierson. Being a freshman and a kid right out of high school and to be able to play center in college and to do so seamlessly. Both he and Marcus Vela have done a nice job for us in the middle of the ice."

Win Over Vermont & Hockey East Rookie of the Week

UNH earned it's first win of the season in the home-opener against the University of Vermont last Saturday. Trailing 0-2, the Wildcats scored 2 goals in the third period and won on a Benton Maass goal in overtime. Jackson Pierson scored UNH's first goal immediately after a power play had ended. He slid between the Vermont defenders into the low slot and banged home a centering pass from sophomore Patrick Grasso.

Pierson initiated the overtime, game-winning play by gathering a loose puck on the half-wall in the Vermont zone. He dumped a pass to Kelleher then headed toward the net. Charlie threaded a perfect, cross-ice pass to Benton Maass who sent it home. These video highlights of Jackson Pierson show this exciting goal as well as his goal against Colgate and his two assists.



Hockey East Rookie of the Week Jackson Pierson, and the rest of the UNH Wildcats, return to action this Saturday night at the Whittemore Center against the University of Massachusetts.

UNH Commits Update 10-26-18: Spotlight on Stützle, Margel & Stevenson

Tim Stützle 2020 UNH Commit

Will Margel 2019 or '20 UNH Commit

Chase Stevenson 2019 UNH Commit

This is the first "UNH Commits Update" of the 2018-19 season - a series which began in October, 2011. In that first update, I highlighted Andrew Poturalski and provided the scoring statistics for all the players committed to play for UNH. At the time, Poturalski was 17 years old and playing for the Buffalo Junior Sabres in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He went on to play two seasons with UNH and was a Hobey Baker Finalist as a sophomore. Poturalski then signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Hurricanes organization. To date, he has played two games in the NHL and has scored 116 points in 173 games with the AHL Charlotte Checkers. Is there another Andrew Poturalski caliber player in the current crop of UNH commits? Stay tuned.

Player Spotlight - Tim Stützle

Last season, Tim Stützle was the fifth leading scorer in the regular season of the Under 19 German Development League (DNL). As a 15/16-year-old forward, he tallied 18 goals and 29 assists for the Mannheim Young Eagles (Jungadler Mannheim U19) in 25 games and 4 goals and 4 assists in 5 playoff games.

Early in the 2018-19 season, Stützle has picked up right where he left off. Over the first 14 games of the DNL U20 season, he has scored 12 goals and 22 assists and is the league's leading scorer.

This highlight video shows Stützle's 7th and 8th goals of the season - he is #8 in the Young Eagles' white jersey. In the first clip, he steals the puck behind the opponent's net, carries it through the neutral zone and passes. He then steals the puck again in the offensive zone, wheels down the slot, and wrists it between the goalie's pads. The final clip shows Stützle get tripped up in the neutral zone, then receive the puck in the offensive zone. After setting up his teammate for a shot on goal, another teammate centers a pass to him in the low slot, and he buries it:

Player Spotlight - Will Margel

Earlier this week, I posted this profile of UNH's newest commit Will Margel. Over the weekend, Margel and the Selects Hockey Academy at South Kent School U18 team competed in the playoffs of the Beast Tournament Series. The competition featured some of the top midget hockey programs on the East Coast.

Selects Academy began the playoffs as the 10th-ranked U18 team in the nation. In the opening round, Selects Academy U18 downed the 4th-ranked Yale Bulldogs U18 4-3 in OT. In the semis, Margel scored 2 goals, including the game-winner as SAU18 beat the Neponset Valley River Rats U18 (#3 National Rank) 6-1. Margel capped off the playoffs with another game-winning goal in the 3-1 win over the Springfield Rifles U18 (11th-ranked) in the finals. Margel lead the Beast Playoffs in goal-scoring (3) and finished tied for 2nd in scoring (3). On the strength of the Beast Series Championship, the Selects Academy at the South Kent School U18 team moved up to the #8 team in the country.

In the overall Beast Tournament Series, Will Margel totaled 9 goals and 5 assists in 10 games. Although he played in 2 or 3 fewer games than many of the other players, he finished as the second-leading goal-scorer and the leading scorer. Overall, Margel has scored 17 goals and 13 assists in 26 games with the Selects Academy U18 team. He is the team's leading goal-scorer and scorer.

Player Spotlight - Chase Stevenson

2019 UNH Commit Chase Stevenson is off to a fast start in his third season in the British Columbia Hockey League. The 19-year-old, 5'11", 170 lbs., left-shot forward has scored 8 goals and 9 assists over the Surrey Eagles' first 19 games. He leads the team in goal-scoring and is tied for 6th in the BCHL. Last season, Stevenson tallied 12 goals and 11 assists in 40 games. He missed games in December and January due to a lower body injury suffered at the World Junior A Challenge selection camp.

As the Alternate Captain of the Eagles, Stevenson has been playing center and left wing. He is the center for their first power play unit. Last Sunday, Stevenson earned the #1 Star in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Victoria Grizzlies on the strength of 2 goals and 3 assists. He set up the game-tying goal late in the third period. These video highlights show both goals and the key assist:

2018-19 Statistics

NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the following table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, the "2019 Commits" are projected to begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2019. I have based these projections on a number of factors including:
~ If a National Letter of Intent has been signed.
~ The year the commit and UNH coaches originally targeted for enrollment in UNH.
~ How old the commit would be upon admission.
~ Number of years in junior hockey prior to admission.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.

Player	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
2019 Commits
Lucas Bahn 9/11/99 (D)	West Kelowna Warriors	BCHL	16	0	6	6	2
Nolan McElhaney 4/22/99 (D)	Omaha Lancers	USHL	5	0	0	0	2
Chase Stevenson 1/13/99 (F)	Surrey Eagles	BCHL	18	8	9	17	31
2019 or '20 Commits
Will Margel 3/16/01 (F)	Selects Academy 18U	Overall	26	17	13	30	12
		USPHL 18U	-	-	-	-	-
		BEAST Series	10	9	5	14	8
Connor Sweeney 5/5/00 (F)	Lawrence Academy	NE Prep	-	-	-	-	-
	Islanders Hockey Club	NCDC	1	2	0	2	0
Marek Wazny 2/21/00 (F)	Maryland Black Bears	NAHL	14	1	7	8	6
2020 Commits
Aidan Curran 1/22/01 (F)	NH Jr Monarchs	NCDC	14	2	10	12	12
Liam Devlin 1/7/01 (F)	St. Sebastian's	NE Prep	-	-	-	-	-
	Boston Jr. Eagles	EHF Selects	10	3	5	8	8
Zack Jones 3/31/01 (F)	Boston Bandits	NCDC	14	2	7	9	4
Tim Stützle 1/15/02 (F)	Mannheim Young Eagles	DNL U20	14	12	22	34	24
	Team Germany U17	Intnl	-	-	-	-	-
2021 or '22 Commits
David Sacco 1/3/02 (F)	Lawrence Academy	NE Prep	-	-	-	-	-
* = Signed National Letter of Intent

News & Notes

United States Hockey League:

~ 2019 Commit Nolan McElhaney experienced a lower body injury in the Omaha Lancers' game against the Fargo Force on October 12th. He was placed on the injured reserve list and is out of the lineup indefinitely.

New England Prep School Hockey:

~ Three UNH Commits are planning to play New England Prep School hockey this season. Connor Sweeney and David Sacco are at Lawrence Academy and Liam Devlin is at St. Sebastion's School. Their season begins in late November.

UNH Commit Will Margel: A Speedy, Creative Forward

Will Margel
2019 or '20 UNH Commit

"A skilled, slippery, puck possession forward with speed, creativity, slick hands and a quick release." Neutral Zone

“Average size yet plays speedy, high pace game with offensive thoughts, and good hands." Russ Bitely, HockeyProspects.com

Will Margel Forward, 5'9", 170 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Potomac, Maryland DOB: 3-16-2001 Turned 17 in March 2017 United States Hockey League Draft: 10th Round, 131st Overall by Sioux Falls Stampede 2017 National Collegiate Development Conference Draft: 6th Overall by Islanders Hockey Club Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Current Team: Selects Academy South Kent School                        ~ Center & Left Wing Commits to UNH: October, 2018 at Age 17 years, 7 months.

2018 Highlight Reel

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Will Margel, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. What are the main reasons you chose UNH?

Will Margel: First off Hockey East made it a no brainer, it’s the best league in college hockey. Coach Souza, Coach Stewart, and Coach Giuliano were all great. They have many years of experience from college all the way up to the NHL and they know what it takes to get to the NHL.
The rink, Whittemore Center is unbelievable. I was wowed by pictures of it, but seeing it first hand when I visited was surreal. I love playing in front of many people and the atmosphere at games there is second to none and can’t wait to be a part of it. They’re a program with a very rich tradition and are determined to move players on to the NHL and that’s my goal.

Mike Lowry: What other college programs were you considering? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Will Margel: I visited about half of the Hockey East schools along with a couple ECAC and NCHC schools. At the end of the day, the moment I stepped foot on campus at the University of New Hampshire I knew it was the perfect place for me. The conversations with all three coaches cemented it. They're very direct with their approach, and Coach Souza laid out a plan for success for both the student and athlete sides of the coin.

Lowry: Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for you to enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?

Margel: They left it up to me, and I would love to come in as a true Freshman. It’s been a dream of mine to play college hockey, and to be able to have the opportunity to do it at as a true Freshman would be breathtaking.
Although they left it up to me, it’s also a group decision in order to find the right time. I don’t want to rush things, and it's the same thing for them, because UNH is looking to win games every weekend, and whenever they see me being able to contribute every night is when I will make the jump to the next step.

Lowry: At this stage in your hockey development, what are the strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Margel: My speed, hockey IQ, and shot release are definitely my top three traits. I like to use my speed all over the ice, and with how the game is changing now, skating is such an important aspect and to be one step ahead of everyone else gives me a greater advantage.
I think my hockey IQ is very strong. I feel I see the game in a way where I am able to anticipate where the puck is going and how the play is going to unfold before it actually does.
I have a really fast shot release off my stick. Not being 6 feet and 200 pounds, it was always something I wanted to work on. With goalies being so good these days, quickness and power are very important, and I specifically work on those things in the gym and on the ice to get better at it everyday. Whether it's my one-time or my snapshot, I just don't think I'm ever satisfied. I feel like I always have room to improve.

Lowry: Over the last three summers, you participated in the USA Hockey Selects Player Development Camps. How do you think your skills compare with the other top US forwards born in 2001? In which skill area have you shown the most improvement?

Margel: I know that at each camp I got better and better. It’s good to see what one improves at year after year, and also what you can add to your game. Being able to go to the National Festival three years in a row provided me a good measuring stick by comparing myself to others and where they had improved. When I’m at the top of my game, I know I’m an impact player every time I step on the ice. I know that I can compete with anyone.
The two biggest area of improvement I’ve made are my speed and strength. Growing up and playing up with older kids meant that I was smaller, so speed and quickness have always been my biggest strengths. Every summer and throughout each season, I'm always focused on getting a quicker first step and more powerful strides. With speed comes power, and that’s where I specifically excelled over the past two summers.
I've also put a big focus on my off-ice strength and conditioning My strength off-ice has directly translated over to my game on the ice. I have been very fortunate that South Kent has a direct partnership with Ben Prentiss of Prentiss Performance, and his trainers to come up to the school every week and work with our hockey teams. They have a general strength and conditioning program, but they also truly understand what I personally need based on my playing style and size in order to be the best player I can be.

Lowry: You are from Potomac, Maryland and you played pee wee and bantam hockey for Team Maryland based in Bethesda. When did you start playing hockey and who was a major influence during your early development?

Margel: I started skating at the age of 2. The biggest influence on me growing up would be Rob Keegan. He is the Head Director of Montgomery Blue Devils. He is the one that really helped shape me into the player I am today. He was my first coach and even up to this day I still do power skating and skills sessions with him.

Lowry: Since the age of 14, you have pursued your education at the South Kent School in Connecticut and have been a top scorer for the Selects Academy 15U, 16U, and 18U teams. Would you describe a couple of your most memorable on-ice experiences?

Margel: South Kent has been so great for me. The hockey here is like you have never seen before. There's a true partnership between the school and Selects Academy (the hockey program), and I think it's been the perfect 4 year lesson to help me get prepared to play Division 1 College hockey.
The first time I put on the Selects Academy jersey was a moment I will ever forget. There was also the Cancer Awareness fundraising game vs NJ Avalanche last year. That was a special night for everyone. It seems that cancer impacts everyone one way or another, whether you're suffering yourself, or a loved one or friend has it. It made me feel great to be able to give my commemorative jersey to my aunt who is a breast cancer survivor.

Lowry: In May, 2017 you were drafted by the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the Islanders Hockey Club of the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). Do you plan to play in either the USHL, NCDC, British Columbia Hockey League, or North American Hockey League before you come to UNH? Do you have a preference?

Margel: Being drafted was a great moment for me. It was the first real eye opener in my hockey career that I was being recognized as being one of the top players in my age group.
Everyone has their own thoughts on each league, but when the time comes, the coaches, my parents and I will discuss what league will be best for me, if Junior Hockey is the route I take.

Lowry: When do you plan to graduate from high school? What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

Margel: I will be graduating in the spring of 2019. I want to study Kinesiology at UNH. I know some of that can help with off-ice and add that to my training.

Neutral Zone Scouting Reports

From the 2017 U15 USA Tier 1 Nationals
"We thought Will was perhaps the most interesting player here. He is fast, smart, involved and explosive. He stole a puck at his blue line and took off up ice for a pretty backhand score. He put rebounds home as he used leverage and his body to find space. He passed to linemates in positions to succeed, he made them better. He had some stretches of inconsistency but overall he looked engaged, athletic and balanced."

From the 2018 USA Hockey Select 17 National Development Camp
"Margel came to camp this year after a breakout season with Selects Academy where he notched 31 goals and 37 assists in just 45 games. He’s small but clever and plays a skilled, puck possession style. His hands are slippery, he’s creative and thinks the game with pace. He made a lot of plays off the rush and in the transition game with his speed and vision and his passing ability and ease with the saucer pass made him a threat anytime he entered the zone with possession.
He scored a beautiful quick release snipe top corner when he picked off a pass in the neutral zone and took it in all alone for the go-ahead goal. He has a deceptively hard shot and quick release and is able to create time and space for himself with his quickness, agility and hockey sense. More than his crafty playmaking ability is his detailed approach; one goal his team scored was off a 3v2 where he drove the far post with speed splitting the defender which opened up space for his teammates and created a 2v1 of which they scored upon. That kind of heads up play away from the puck is what makes Margel a D1 prospect and led to his impressive 2-3-5 line in 5 games here. Margel will return to Selects Academy next season to play for the defending U18 Champion squad."

Youth Hockey & Prep School Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Will Margel  (F)	2018-19	Selects Academy 18U	Overall	26	17	13	30	12
			USPHL 18U	-	-	-	-	-
			BEAST Series	10	9	5	14	8
	2017-18	Selects Academy 16U	Overall	47	31	34	65	-
			USPHL 16U	5	4	1	5	8
			Playoffs	4	1	1	2	2
			16U Nationals	4	1	5	6	2
			USA Selects 17	5	2	3	5	2
	2016-17	Selects Academy 15U	Overall	51	46	49	95	-
			15U Nationals	4	2	3	5	0
			USA Selects 16	5	0	2	2	0
	2015-16	Selects Academy 15U	Overall	-	-	-	-	-
			USA Selects 15	3	0	1	1	0
		East Coast Selects	World Selects Inv	8	1	4	5	0
	2014-15	Team Maryland Bantam Minor	AYHL	37	28	26	54	-
		East Coast Selects	World Selects Inv	9	2	1	3	0

UNH Freshman Eric Esposito: A Hard-Nose, Tenacious Player

Eric Esposito
UNH Forward #12

"Eric is a hard-nose tenacious player who had a great season last year in the USHL. As team captain he led the Youngstown Phantoms to the USHL finals." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach

"A tough, hard nosed competitor." Neutral Zone

Eric Esposito UNH Jersey #12 Forward, 5'11", 183 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut DOB: 8-24-1998 Turned 20 in August Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Last Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)                   ~ Captain; 1st & 2nd Line Left Wing Commits to UNH: July, 2014 at Age 15 years, 11 months "Meet Eric Esposito: UNH's Newest Recruit"

2017-18 Highlight Reel

Scouting Report

"A tough, hard nosed competitor who is relentless on the forecheck, finishes checks and has deceptive speed. The former Loomis Chaffee star has played a bottom six role in the USHL this season (2016-17) but done so with grit and energy. He'll likely be passed in this years NHL draft but our scouts are confident his best hockey is ahead of him." Neutral Zone

Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Eric Esposito  (F)	2017-18	Youngstown Phantoms	USHL	60	23	10	33	109
			Playoffs	11	4	5	9	10
	2016-17	Youngstown Phantoms	USHL	52	9	7	16	123
			Playoffs	5	0	0	0	0
	2015-16	Youngstown Phantoms	USHL	48	2	8	10	36

UNH Freshman Ryan Verrier: A Mobile, Athletic Defenseman

Ryan Verrier
UNH Defenseman #3

"Ryan is a mobile defenseman and had a great season in the USHL leading his team in points by a defenseman. He will add to our athleticism on our blue line." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach

"Ryan has excellent feet, above average straight line speed, great lateral movement and a good defensive stick." Neutral Zone

Ryan Verrier UNH Jersey #3 Defense, 6'0", 185 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Reading, Massachusetts DOB: 11-19-1998 Turned 19 last November Neutral Zone Rating: 4.25 out of 5 Stars Last Team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)                   ~ 1st Defensive Pairing Commits to UNH: September, 2016 at Age 17 years, 10 months "Ryan Verrier, Mass High School Star, Commits to UNH"

2017-18 Highlight Reel

Scouting Report

"Ryan played a solid all around game. He stayed square when defending and he has great lateral movement and a good defensive stick. His gaps were good and he closed space quickly in his end. He has excellent feet and above average straight line speed. We liked his balanced game and understanding on when to jump up in the play as he does not force things on the offensive end. He made good outlets and used the net to his advantage in his end." Neutral Zone

Junior Hockey & Prep School Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Ryan Verrier  (D)	2017-18	Green Bay Gamblers	USHL	56	4	14	18	60
			Playoffs	2	0	0	0	0
	2016-17	Salisbury School	NE Prep	29	7	18	25	-
			Playoffs	1	1	0	1	-
		Mid-Fairfield U18	18U Nationals	5	3	1	4	2
	2015-16	Austin Prep	Mass HS	22	11	16	27	-

UNH Freshman Will MacKinnon: A Strong, Physical Defenseman

Will MacKinnon
UNH Defenseman #5

"Will has great leadership attributes. He is a strong defenseman that can move the puck. He will bring character to our team on and off the ice." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach

"He plays a mature, deliberate game..a strong, powerful skater..a heads up defender who can handle the puck under duress..smooth hands and offensive instincts." Neutral Zone

"Will’s done a great job, he’s a real hard working young man, a physical defenseman." Danton Cole, Former Head Coach, US National Team Development Program U17, Current Head Coach, Michigan State University

Will MacKinnon UNH Jersey #5 Defense, 5'11", 200 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Plymouth, Michigan DOB: 4-13-2000 Turned 18 in April Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Last Team: Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)                   ~ Alternate Captain; 1st & 2nd Defensive Pairing Commits to UNH: May, 2018 at Age 18 years, 1 month "Physical Defenseman Will MacKinnon Commits to UNH"

2017-18 Highlight Reel

Scouting Report

"He (MacKinnon) plays a mature, deliberate game and you can tell he’s taken full advantage of the program's (National Team Development Program U17) strength and conditioning as he won nearly every puck battle. His best attribute is his shot; he has great power and an instant release which makes him a scoring threat even from the blue line. He’s strong on his skates and on his stick and did a nice job keeping pucks in the offensive zone and seemed to have developed great sense for when to pinch and when to retreat.

He played a puck possession game here (USA Hockey Selects 17 Camp) and carried the puck up ice regularly to lead or compliment the rush and showed smooth hands and offensive instincts. What we really liked was that he played hard; he didn’t act like he was above everyone else because of his NTDP resume. He blocked shots on the penalty kill, he went into the corners and dug out pucks and battled all week long. While he’s a strong, powerful skater, he’ll need to get quicker and more agile in order to find top four minutes in the USHL." Neutral Zone

Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Will MacKinnon  (D)	2017-18	Des Moines Buccaneers	USHL	57	2	8	10	127
		Team USA U18	Hlinka Cup	4	0	0	0	4
	2016-17	USA NTDP U17	Overall	56	1	3	4	33
			USHL	34	1	0	1	12
			WHC-17	5	0	0	0	0
		USA NTDP U18	Overall	1	0	1	1	0
	2015-16	Honeybaked U16	HiPerfHL	23	1	6	7	30

UNH Freshman Jackson Pierson: Thinks Quick, Moves Quick

Jackson Pierson
UNH Forward #11

"Jackson is a two-way player that sees the ice well. He has leadership qualities as he was the captain for the No. 1 ranked High School team in the nation at Culver Military Academy." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach

"Pierson can turn on a dime, he can pull away from defenders in any zone either from quick bursts or straight-line speed and he’s got exceptional pace to his game. He thinks it quick, he moves it quick." Neutral Zone

“Jackson is REALLY athletic. His biggest strength now is his brain. He thinks the game so much. He is playing chess and the other players are playing checkers." Steve Palmer, Head Coach, Culver Academy

Jackson Pierson UNH Jersey #11 Forward, 5'9", 175 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana DOB: 9-10-1999 Turned 19 in September Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Last Team: Culver Academy (U.S. Prep)/Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)                   ~ Culver Captain and Starting Center Commits to UNH: May, 2017 at Age 17 years, 8 months "Culver Academy's Jackson Pierson Commits to UNH"

2017-18 Highlight Reel

Scouting Report

"Pierson is one of the fastest skaters in the tournament (2018 18U Nationals); he can turn on a dime, he can pull away from defenders in any zone either from quick bursts or straight-line speed and he’s got exceptional pace to his game. He thinks it quick, he moves it quick and he can process the game and make plays at full speed. He had a few nice spin moves down in the corners to create separation and has an elusive stick that he can isolate defenders 1v1 and get around them (sometimes with ease).

He has improved his lower body strength and balance and was better here in traffic than when we saw him earlier in the year. Our only knock here would be that the did try and do too much and has a bad habit of constantly going 1v1 on defenders instead of pulling up and looking for passing lanes or easier lanes to the net. His speed and skill are headed to Durham, NH next year where he should flourish on the Olympic sheet after he adapts to the college game." Neutral Zone

Junior Hockey & Prep School Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Jackson Pierson  (F)	2017-18	Culver Academy	Indep Prep	39	24	50	74	-
			MidAm Tourney	4	3	4	7	-
			18U Nationals	4	3	2	5	2
		Green Bay Gamblers	USHL	2	0	0	0	0
	2016-17	Culver Academy	Indep Prep	36	28	34	62	-
			18U Nationals	4	2	4	6	2

UNH Freshman Filip Engarås: A Clever Two-Way Center

Filip Engarås
UNH Forward #16

"Filip is a two-way player that is excellent on faceoffs. He was the center on a talented line for his team and led them to success. He was a two-year team captain that will bring leadership qualities." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach

“Filip Engarås is a clever two-way center who reads the game well." Carl Larsson, Swedish scout for Future Considerations

Filip Engarås (Pronounced En-GAR-is) UNH Jersey #16 Forward, 6'0", 194 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden DOB: 5-16-1999 Turned 19 in May Last Team: Skellefteå AIK J20 (Swedish Super Elite League)                   ~ Captain and Starting Center Commits to UNH: May, 2018 at Age 19 years "Filip Engarås: UNH Hockey's First Swedish Player"

2017-18 Highlight Reel

Scouting Report

“He is a clever two-way center who reads the game well. Has really great skating abilities and good work ethic. Has improved his release and is now a good shooter, combined with the smartness which he uses to find unexpected passes. I am excited to see his future development as he is that kind of guy that really works hard, on and off ice. He is certainly determined to have a good hockey career.” Carl Larsson, Swedish scout for Future Considerations

Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Filip Engarås  (F)	2017-18	Skellefteå AIK J20	Super Elite	42	22	23	45	34
		Playoffs	Super Elite	3	2	0	2	6
		Team Sweden U19	Intl	4	2	0	2	6
	2016-17	Skellefteå AIK J20	Super Elite	38	10	9	19	14
		Playoffs	Super Elite	2	0	0	0	0
		Skellefteå AIK J18	All-Swedish	1	1	0	1	0
		Playoffs	All-Swedish	3	3	1	4	0
		Skellefteå AIK J18	Elite	2	0	2	2	0
	2015-16	Skellefteå AIK J20	Super Elite	10	0	1	1	0
		Skellefteå AIK J18	All-Swedish	11	3	0	3	8
		Playoffs	All-Swedish	2	1	0	1	2
		Skellefteå AIK J18	Elite	16	7	12	19	14
		Team Sweden U17	Intl	6	1	1	2	6

UNH Freshman Ty Taylor: BCHL Goalie of the Year

Ty Taylor
UNH Goalie #35

"Ty is a goaltender with natural ability. He had a tremendous year in Vernon where he was named the BCHL Goalie of the Year. He brings competitiveness, athleticism and size." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach

"A tall, athletic, composed netminder with body control, sound positioning and technique." Neutral Zone

"Ty has excellent size and composure in goal. He tracks the puck extremely well and moves minimally to avoid over playing." Pasco Valana, Coach, Elite Goalies Canada

Ty Taylor UNH Jersey #35 Goalie, 6'4", 200 lbs. Catches Left Hometown: Richmond, British Columbia DOB: 7-5-1999 Turned 19 in July 2018 NHL Draft: 7th Round, 214th Overall by Tampa Bay Lightning Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Last Team: Vernon Vipers (British Columbia Hockey League)                   ~ Starting Goalie Commits to UNH: February, 2018 at Age 18 years, 7 months. "Ty Taylor: Top Goalie in BCHL Commits to UNH"

2017-18 Highlight Reel

Scouting Reports

"Taylor is a big goalie who covers a lot of net, plays sharp angles and absorbs the puck giving him solid rebound control. He has good body control and athleticism and did a nice job of holding his posts and never getting out of position." Neutral Zone

"Ty has worked with me and with Rob Fuchs. Ty has excellent size and composure in goal. Smart goaltender who has always had to work hard at every step of his career. Does not take things for granted. He tracks the puck extremely well and moves minimally to avoid over playing." Pasco Valana, Coach, Elite Goalies Canada

Junior Hockey & Prep School Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Wins	Loss	GAA	SVS%
Ty Taylor  (G)	2017-18	Vernon Vipers	BCHL	31	23	5	1.87	.931
		Playoffs	BCHL	10	6	4	2.46	.929
	2016-17	Vernon Vipers	BCHL	29	13	12	2.96	.908
		Playoffs	BCHL	1	0	0	2.17	.857
	2015-16	Delta Hockey Academy	CSSHL	18	15	3	1.46	.943
		Playoffs	CSSHL	2	0	0	3.50	.896