UNH Commit Colton Huard: A Big, Solid Defenseman

Colton Huard
2021 UNH Commit

"Huard is a really solid, big defenseman..high end on both sides of the puck..uses his big frame and reach well to take up space and deter opponents..strong in puck battles..plays with his head up and makes good, hard decisions with the puck." Neutral Zone

Colton Huard (HUE-ard) Defense, 6'4", 196 lbs. Shoots Right Birthplace: Welland, Ontario Hometown: Foothill Ranch, California DOB: November 27, 2000 Turned 20 in November Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Current Team: Chicago Steel (USHL)                        ~ Defense Commits to UNH: February, 2021 at Age 20 years, 3 months.

February 2021 Highlight Reel

Colton Huard is in his second full season in the United States Hockey League. He wears #5 for the Chicago Steel. Huard has been the starting right defenseman in several Steel games. On the offensive side of the ledger, Huard has posted 3 goals, 12 assists in 33 games. That's impressive considering he gets limited power play time and none of the points were scored on the Chicago power play. The first clip in the highlight reel shows Huard's game-winning goal against Des Moines on Feb 11th. He carries the puck to the faceoff circle and snaps a wrister to the top corner. The next two clips are primary assists from a February 6th win against Green Bay. The first shows Huard's slap shot from just inside the blueline and the second clip shows a nice stretch pass to begin a scoring sequence.

One indicator of Huard's defensive strengths is his +/- rating of +19. That's the third best rating among all USHL defensemen. The final two clips demonstrate some of the skills described in the Neutral Zone scouting report from the February 6th game. In the first clip, Huard effectively backchecks resulting in a steal. The final clip on the highlight reel shows Huard using his size, strength, positioning and stickhandling to keep opponents away from the front of the net.

Interview

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

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. What are the main reasons you chose UNH? Freshman UNH defenseman Luke Reid was your teammate last season with the Chicago Steel. Was that one of the reasons you were interested in UNH?

Colton Huard: Thank you. I am very excited to become a Wildcat. I called Luke before I made my decision and he talked about the team and the program in a positive way which I liked. For me UNH just seemed like a great spot and a good fit on and off the ice.

Mike Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Colton Huard: With COVID-19 it was hard going through the recruiting process this year because I couldn’t go on any visits but I did have a few zoom calls. For me it was only between Clarkson and UNH and I just felt that UNH was the right fit.

Lowry: Since 2020-21 is your last season of eligibility to play junior hockey, I assume you plan to enroll as a freshman at UNH next fall. Is that correct? Do you anticipate signing a National Letter of Intent with UNH?

Huard: Yes, I will be going into UNH next year and look forward to signing my NLI.

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

Huard: I would say my strength is that I’m able to contribute on both ends of the rink. I think I’m very good at breaking the puck out whether that be in the defensive zone or neutral zone. One area I’m looking to improve is my skating, specifically backwards to forwards transitions.

Lowry: Your Dad, Bill Huard, played 223 NHL games including stints with the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Nordiques, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. He was a big, physical left winger. What's some of the best advice he's given you about playing hockey?

Huard: My Dad always gives me advise pretty much everyday, he’s been a huge part of my career so far. I would say the best advice he’s given me is to never give up and believe in yourself.

Lowry: When you were 15 years old, you left your home in California to play hockey with the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia. Since then, you've played for the Aberdeen Wings (South Dakota), Fargo Force (North Dakota), and Chicago Steel (Illinois). What pluses and minuses were associated with moving around so much?

Huard: I’ve learned so much from each team I’ve been on and made so many friendships that will last forever. POE was a great spot for me at the time because it was all about development similar to Chicago where I am now. Aberdeen was amazing and really helped me defensively and getting stronger playing older guys in the NAHL. Chicago’s organization is like no other, the way they treat us and help us improve our game is incredible.

Lowry: During the 2018-19 season, you tallied 3 goals and 18 assists in 66 games with the Aberdeen Wings. You also posted an impressive +/- rating of +39. Aberdeen had the best regular season record in the North American Hockey League (47-10-3) and went on to win the Robertson Cup in the NAHL Playoffs. Based on that experience, what do you think it takes to be a championship team?

Huard: That year was the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey so far. I just think the way we went about our business and the brotherhood we had there truly separated us from every team.

Lowry: What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

Huard: I’m still not 100% sure yet but I think Business.

Neutral Zone Scouting Report

February 6, 2021

"Huard is a big-bodied defenseman who was great in his own zone and added two assists in the game. He uses his stick efficiently and closes space fast with his reach. He was physical in front of his own net and below the goal line in his defensive zone. Huard did a great job of boxing out, letting his goaltender see shots easily, and picking up sticks to prevent second-chance opportunities. In the offensive zone, he is calm and simple on the blueline. He makes the smart play and makes it hard consistently. Overall, Huard played a reliable and steady game for the Steel."

Youth & Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM	+/-
Colton Huard (D)	2020-21	Chicago Steel	USHL	33	3	12	15	12	+19
	2019-20	Chicago Steel	USHL	18	1	7	8	2	+5
		Fargo Force	USHL	22	1	5	6	12	+6
	2018-19	Aberdeen Wings	NAHL	54	2	14	16	16	+32
			Playoffs	12	1	4	5	4	+7
	2017-18	Aberdeen Wings	NAHL	14	0	0	0	4	+3
		Pursuit of Excellence 18U	NAPHL	15	1	4	5	8	-
		Pursuit of Excellence Prep	CSSHL	20	2	5	7	16	-
	2016-17	Pursuit of Excellence 18U	NAPHL	22	1	6	7	31	-
			Playoffs	4	0	1	1	2	-
		Pursuit of Excellence Prep	CSSHL	29	1	9	10	26	-
			Playoffs	3	0	2	2	2	-
	2015-16	LA Jr Kings 15U	T1EHL	15	1	0	1	0	-
			Playoffs	5	0	2	2	0	-

UNH Commit JP Turner Discusses Challenging Year

UNH Commit JP Turner
Signing NLI

A few days ago, UNH Commit JP Turner (DOB: 1/31/2003) turned 18. He navigated the twists and turns of the COVID-19 pandemic as a 17-year-old trying to advance his hockey career while working to graduate from high school. Turner's junior season at Avon Old Farms (Connecticut) ended in early March, 2020 just as the pandemic began it's hold on the United States. Earlier this week, JP returned to action with his Avon teammates. As my interview with JP shows, his year-long journey included unexpected challenges and opportunities to grow and mature as a hockey player and student. Here's our interview:

Interview

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on scoring 2 goals and an assist against Canterbury in your triumphant return as the captain of the Avon Old Farms (AOF) Winged Beavers. Would you describe what it meant to rejoin your teammates for the first time since last March?

John 'JP' Turner: It was awesome. I’ve been with most of these guys for three years and especially since such a heart breaking loss last year against Salisbury it was really refreshing to be back home and compete with these guys.

Mike Lowry: In late April, 2020, your AOF teammates named you Captain for the 2020-21 season. Were you planning to return to AOF for your senior year?

JP Turner: It was such an awesome moment being named one of the team captains at Avon. We have such a great group of guys and for them to name me one of the leaders of the team meant a lot to me. I was set on returning for my senior year and was really looking forward to competing for an Elite 8 championship with the guys while playing for Coach Gardner. Him and Coach Pereira have helped grow my game so much and shape me into the player I am now and will be in the future. I have the upmost respect for both of them and look up to them very much.

Lowry: Last season, you were the leading goal scorer for Avon (19 goals in 27 games) and helped lead the team to the semifinals of the New England Prep School Elite 8 Championship. A few days after that March 7th semifinal game, Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19 and the sports world was turned upside down by the pandemic. How has the ongoing pandemic effected important decisions like where to play hockey this season and how to meet the academic requirements of your senior year?

Turner: To be honest I thought the virus was going to blow over in a month or two. I expected to return to campus by April and finish the year at school last year. Once summer came around and the virus was still big, I kind of had a few ideas of what hockey season was going to look like while remaining optimistic to having a real prep season.
On the academic side, I knew Avon was going to provide an online option and thinking realistically that I’d have to consider that at some point. I’m a student who needs to be in class and engaged and online school is something I knew I’d struggle with.

Lowry: In late October and early November, you faced a fast-paced series of important events:
~ October 23: The New England Prep Founders League, which includes Avon Old Farm, cancelled all competition for winter season sports.
~ October 27: The National Hockey League Central Scouting Service named you to the Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2021 NHL Draft.
~ November 5: Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News named you the #22 USHL Player to Watch with NHL potential.
~ November 14: You played your first game of the 2020-21 season with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League.
In the ensuing 19 games with Sioux Falls, you scored 4 goals and compiled a +/- rating of +1. Overall, how would you describe your play in the USHL and your level of satisfaction with your performance?

JP Turner with his first @USHL goal! 3-2 Sioux Falls!#BeHerd pic.twitter.com/yBL0CXlRJH

— Sioux Falls Stampede (@sfstampede) December 9, 2020

Turner: The USHL was a big jump for me and I knew that going into it. I like to score goals and create offense and I hadn’t produced as much as I would’ve liked to. With that being said, I understand how big the jump is and how every level you go up it will only get harder and harder to score goals.

Lowry: Avon has a couple games scheduled against the Salisbury School this weekend. Do you plan to play in these games and any other AOF games that might be added to the schedule? Do you anticipate returning to the Sioux Falls Stampede for their finish to the 2020-21 season?

Turner: Yes I plan to play in those games. I played on Monday against Canterbury school and I continue to play the rest of the games here at Avon. With how crazy the world is I understand how important it is to find a sense of normalcy and even being at Avon for a short amount of time has given me that.
I left Sioux Falls because I was struggling academically and knew I needed to get back and be in class and get my grades up to par. It’s not fair to my parents and myself to slack off in school especially for all that they’ve sacrificed for me to be able to go to Avon.
Since I left for academic reasons, I do not plan on returning after the next month at Avon. I returned for school and being with my best friends, being away from these guys had a toll on me. These guys are some of the best friends I’ve had and I couldn’t be happier going to class, the rink, and everywhere else on campus with them.

Lowry: You signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of New Hampshire on November 11th. Do you anticipate enrolling at UNH in Fall 2021 or 2022?

Turner: As for an enrollment, I don’t know whether I’ll enroll this fall or next. That’s still up in the air. UNH is such a special place and I’d like to get there and experience everything it has to offer as soon as I’m able to, but I have to prove that I’m ready to go and that starts with school.
The schoolwork at UNH will be challenging and I think Avon has done a great job preparing me for doing school while living at school. On the hockey side, I need to continue to improve all aspects of my game especially getting more explosive feet. UNH has done a fantastic job developing players and I look forward to continuing my development there.

UNH Commits Update 2-5-2021

Damien Carfagna
NHL Draft Prospect

News & Notes

United State Hockey League:

~ Last season, Damien Carfagna was the highest scoring defenseman (7 Goals, 22 Assists, 27 Games) for Lawrence Academy, the 3rd-ranked New England Prep School team. He decided to forego a senior year at Lawrence to join the Green Bay Gamblers this season. In his first 20 USHL games, Carfagna has posted 5 assists and an impressive +9 rating (tied for 2nd among USHL rookies). NHL scouts have taken notice. The NHL Central Scouting Service included Carfagna on their January Players to Watch list. He's rated a "C" prospect meaning a candidate to be drafted in the 4th, 5th, or 6th round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

~ 20-year-old Robert Cronin (DOB: 8/15/00), the 5'10", 185 lbs., right-shot forward for the Dubuque Fighting Saints, signed a National Letter of Intent with UNH. In his second USHL season, Cronin has tallied 8 goals and 8 assists in 20 games. This is his final year of junior hockey eligibility (i.e., no older than 20 as of the 31st day of December of the current season of competition).

Robert Cronin Signs NLI

~ Earlier this week, UNH picked up a commitment from 20-year-old, right-shot defenseman Colton Huard (DOB: 11/27/00) of the Chicago Steel. So far this season, the 6'4", 196 lbs., blueliner has posted 2 goals and 10 assists in 25 games. Among all USHL defensemen, Huard has the second best +/- rating (+14). Fellow UNH Commit Alex Gagne, the 6'3", 207 lbs., defenseman for the Muskegon Lumberjacks, has the best +/- rating (+21) among all USHL defensemen.

Neutral Zone scouts have evaluated Huard three times this season and here are some excerpts:

"big, poised, moves well, and plays mature brand of hockey..high end on both sides of the puck..physical..good job of boxing out his net front..uses reach well, disrupting plays in defensive zone..has really good instincts especially during extended offensive zone play"

Huard will age out of junior hockey at the end of this season so is on track to matriculate next fall at UNH.

Colton Huard
Commits to UNH

British Columbia Hockey League:

~ In November, the Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia imposed restrictions to contain the COVID-19 pandamic. The limits have prevented the BCHL from starting it's regular season. Earlier today, the PHO announced that the restrictions will continue at least until the end of February. Two UNH Commits, Connor Sweeney and John Evans, left their BCHL teams for junior leagues in the United States. Sweeney went from the Trail Smoke Eaters to the Islanders Hockey Club in the NCDC and Evans left the West Kelowna Warriors for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL. To date, Nick Ardanaz has remained with the West Kelowna Warriors.

North American Hockey League:

~ Three UNH Commits have transferred from the USHL to the NAHL. Will Margel moved from the Lincoln Stars to the Johnstown Tomahawks. Cade Penney went from the Omaha Lancers to the New Jersey Titans. Morgan Winters left the Tri-City Storm for the Kenai River Brown Bears.

National Collegiate Development Conference:

~ Two UNH Commits, Cy LeClerc and Nick Ring, were selected to play in the NCDC All-Star game on January 18th. LeClerc distributed 2 assists and Ring scored a goal and 2 assists.

~ Goalie Jed Baliotti, formerly with the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), is now playing for the Northern Cyclones.

New England Prep School:

The Lakes Region Conference begins a two-month season this weekend. To date, the ISL Keller Conference, which includes Governor's Academy and UNH Commit Brendan Fitzgerald, has not begun a 2020-21 season.

2020-21 Statistics

Player	NZ** Stars	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM	+/-
2021 Commits
Nicolas Ardanaz* 5/30/02 (D)	4.25	West Kelowna Warriors	BCHLPre	13	1	6	7	2	-
Timo Bakos 7/28/00 (F)	3.75	Starbulls Rosenheim	Germany3	18	0	3	3	0	-
		EHC Königsbrunn	Germany4	3	0	1	1	0	-
Robert Cronin* 8/15/00 (F)	3.75	Dubuque Fighting Saints	USHL	20	8	8	16	18	+2
John Evans 4/8/02 (F)	4.5	Dubuque Fighting Saints	USHL	7	1	4	5	0	+1
		West Kelowna Warriors	BCHLPre	13	6	9	15	6	-
Alex Gagne* 8/12/02 (D)	4.25	Muskegon Lumberjacks	USHL	26	3	11	14	8	+21
Colton Huard 11/27/00 (D)	3.75	Chicago Steel	USHL	25	2	10	12	8	+14
Will Margel* 3/16/01 (F)	3.75	Johnstown Tomahawks	NAHL	9	3	5	8	2	-3
		Lincoln Stars	USHL	2	0	0	0	0	-2
Jack Ring 12/18/00 (F)	3.5	New Jersey Titans	NAHL	25	4	11	15	8	-11
Connor Sweeney* 5/5/00 (F)	3.5	Islanders Hockey Club	NCDC	18	1	8	9	10	-
		Trail Smoke Eaters	BCHLPre	9	4	6	10	6	-
2021 or '22 Commits
Jed Baliotti 2/7/02 (G)	3.75	Northern Cyclones	NCDC	3	1	2	0	2.70	.906
		Green Bay Gamblers	USHL	0	-	-	-	-	-
Liam Devlin 1/7/01 (F)	3.75	Omaha Lancers	USHL	22	5	0	5	34	-2
		Chicago Steel	USHL	1	0	0	0	6	0
Cade Penney* 3/23/01 (D)	3.75	New Jersey Titans	NAHL	1	0	1	1	0	+2
		Omaha Lancers	USHL	3	0	0	0	0	0
		Green Bay Gamblers	USHL	14	0	2	2	0	+6
David Sacco* 1/3/02 (F)	3.75	Waterloo Black Hawks	USHL	6	0	0	0	2	+1
JP Turner* 1/31/03 (F)	4.25	Sioux Falls Stampede	USHL	19	4	0	4	16	+1
2022 Commits
Damien Carfagna* 12/12/02 (D)	3.75	Green Bay Gamblers	USHL	20	0	5	5	4	+9
Cy LeClerc 8/17/02 (F)	3.75	Islanders Hockey Club	NCDC	21	7	14	21	6	-
			All Star Game	1	0	2	2	0	-
		Wenatchee Wild	BCHLPre	-	-	-	-	-	-
Morgan Winters 12/8/01 (F)	3.5	Kenai River Brown Bears	NAHL	11	3	7	10	8	+6
		Tri-City Storm	USHL	4	1	0	1	0	+1
2022 or '23 Commits
Brendan Fitzgerald 10/26/03 (D)	4.0	Governor's Academy	NE Prep	-	-	-	-	-	-
Nick Ring 10/26/03 (F)	3.75	Boston Advantage	NCDC	34	11	7	18	8	-
			All Star Game	1	2	2	4	0	-
* = Signed National Letter of Intent
** = Neutral Zone 5-Star Rating

NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the above table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, the "2021 Commits" are projected to begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2021. I have based these projections on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ 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.