UConn adds defenseman Charlie Morrison to 2026-27 roster

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UConn men’s hockey’s defensive corps for the 2026-27 season is set. On Tuesday, the Huskies added Charlie Morrison to their incoming recruiting class, the UConn Hockey Hub learned.

The ‘07 defenseman out of Miramichi, New Brunswick had the opportunity to return to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts, where he spent the last two seasons, but ultimately decided to begin his collegiate career. Listed at 6-3, 198 pounds with a left-handed shot, he’s likely to be selected in the first three rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Morrison will join Shayne Gould and Will McIsaac as freshmen on UConn’s blue line this upcoming season. They’ll join a group of five returners: Senior Owen Simpson, juniors Kai Janviriya and Trey Scott as well as sophomores Anthony Allain-Samaké and Brendan Dunphy.

Although Morrison only put up 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 41 games with the Remparts this past season, he has the potential to be the Huskies’ best defenseman. He was one of seven blue liners named to the CHL Prospects Team — an all-star squad of players from the QMJHL, OHL and WHL — for the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge in November. Morrison is a big, strong, mean defenseman who’s viewed as a throwback-type player.

He should compete for a spot in the lineup and could be an impact player from day one at UConn.

As for the other two incoming freshmen, Gould put up 51 points (12 goals, 39 assists) in 60 games with the Sioux City Musketeers, the most by a defenseman in the USHL. A native of Princeton, Massachusetts — the same hometown as rising junior forward Ethan Gardula — he has high-end offensive ability but will need to improve his defense and bulk up in the weight room. Gould is currently listed at 5-9, 146 pounds.

Meanwhile, McIsaac will join the Huskies after spending four years in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. Last season, he notched eight goals and 26 assists for 34 points in 66 games while wearing the “A” on his sweater. A fifth round pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2024 NHL Draft (145th overall), McIsaac is a big, physical defenseman at 6-3, 205 pounds. He’s also shoots right-handed, which will help UConn balance out its defensive corps for the first time in years.

In goal, the Huskies will add Veeti Louhivaara. A native of Finland, he’s listed at 6-4, 207 pounds and catches with his left hand. The New Jersey Devils selected Louhivaara in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft (146th overall, one pick after McIsaac). He’s expected to compete with rising sophomore Kam Hendrickson for the starting job.

At forward, UConn has five openings to fill. Omaha transfer Jeremy Loranger will take one spot but beyond that, the team is still finalizes which freshmen to bring in.

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