Mike Cavanaugh breaks down UConn's freshmen

For the first time since 2020, UConn men’s hockey will not bring in a single new transfer. Instead, the Huskies’ crop of seven newcomers consists entirely of freshmen.

Ahead of the team’s season opener at Colorado College on Friday, head coach Mike Cavanaugh provided a preview of UConn’s new players.

Forwards

Alexandre Blais (No. 22)

5-10, 176 pounds | Longueuil, Quebec | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

“He's a very talented offensive forward. The couple things I've been really surprised in preseason with him is how hard he competes on the puck. He's not the biggest guy — he's got decent size — but for his size, he wins a lot of puck battles and has the ability to make a play. I knew he was offensively gifted, I didn't realize how hard he competes on pucks. So he's a kid that we expect to play a regular shift and probably see some power play time as well.”

“I think he'll start as a wing but he has the ability to play center as well.”

Carlin Dezainde (No. 24)

5-11, 172 pounds | Calgary, Alberta | Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

Subscribe to Premium to read the rest.