The Forecheck: Resetting UConn's depth chart following initial departures and arrivals

Welcome to the revamped UConn Hockey Hub newsletter, which catches you up on all the stories, trends, and anything else you might have missed, along with some quick takes and leftover notes from the weekend.

Resetting UConn’s depth chart

This offseason was always going to bring significant turnover for UConn. The Huskies lost nine players to graduation, one to the pro ranks early and five to the transfer portal. They’ll bring in a large freshman class as a result and have also dipped heavily into the transfer market for some instant-impact additions.

UConn’s roster is still far from set — the team is still working to add a transfer defenseman and would also like to add another high-end forward, not to mention any unexpected departures for one reason or another — but there’s enough in place to make some predictions about how the Huskies will line up at Gutterson Fieldhouse in October.

Instead of trying to guess who will play where — Mike Cavanaugh has never been concerned about the distinction between the first line, second line, etc. — we grouped players into three categories: Locks, players that should be in the lineup no matter what; Fringe, players that will have to earn a spot or might dress one game and be inactive the next; and depth, players that project to only see time if injuries occur.

Forwards

Locks (8): Ty Amonte, Adam Dawe, Justin Pearson, Nick Capone, Hudson Schandor, Ryan Tverberg, Chase Bradley, Matthew Wood

Fringe (6): Jake Veilleux, Jake Black, Tristan Fraser, Huston Karpman, Jake Percival, Ryan Tattle

Depth (2): Mark D’Agostino, Tabor Heaslip

Analysis: The only question mark among the locks is Amonte, whose health is always a question mark. If he’s available, he’ll be in the lineup. Veilleux likely has an inside track for one of the 12 spots after playing in the team’s final 18 games, though he’ll have plenty of competition. As of now, we’ll guess that Veilleux, Black, Percival and Tattle claim those last four positions on the line sheet.

Defense

Locks (4): Jake Flynn, Roman Kinal, Harrison Rees, John Spetz

Fringe (3): Aidan Metcalfe, Jack Pascucci, Thomas Messineo

Depth: None

Analysis: The locks are self-explanatory and there could be another depending on if UConn can finalize the defenseman from the portal. That would leave one remaining spot, where Messineo is the likely candidate as a high-upside blue liner. The Huskies have also used their extra skater to dress seven defensemen, so there could be an opening for another player to sneak in as well.

Goaltender

Locks: None

Fringe (2): Logan Terness, Arsenii Sergeev

Depth (2): Ryan Keane, Matt Pasquale

Analysis: The goaltender battle will come down to sophomore Terness and freshman Sergeev. Terness likely has the slight edge considering he’s already spent a year in the program, but the competition will likely last into and throughout the regular season. If Keane or Pasquale end up playing, something has probably gone very, very wrong.

Hitting the links

News

• Inside Mike Cavanaugh’s decision to stay at UConn

• UConn men’s hockey’s 2022-23 non-conference opponents nearly set

• UConn men’s hockey’s Ryan Tverberg named CCM/ACHA All-American

• Mike Cavanaugh staying with UConn men’s hockey despite interest from Boston College

• UConn men’s hockey’s best-ever recruit to join team this fall

• Seven UConn men’s hockey seniors head to AHL, ECHL

• Hockey East announces media rights deals with NESN, ESPN

• UConn men’s hockey’s Vladislav Firstov signs entry-level contract with Minnesota Wild

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