Hudson Schandor returning for fifth season

UConn men’s hockey’s forward group got a big boost with Hudson Schandor set to return for his fifth year, the team announced on Monday. The North Vancouver, British Columbia native is part of the last class that has a bonus season of eligibility after playing through the Covid campaign in 2020-21.

Schandor has been a key player since arriving in Storrs. As a freshman, he put up 14 points in 22 games then followed it up with 18 points as a sophomore. The center set career highs with 11 goals, 21 assists and 31 points as a junior before putting up five goals and 16 assists this past season.

In addition to his production, Schandor is one of the Huskies’ top penalty killers, skates on a power play unit and won 54.2 percent of his draws as a senior.

“He's one of the best 200 foot players I've ever coached,” UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh said about Schandor after the playoff loss to BC. “He just does everything well.”

Schandor is also a well-regarded leader for the Huskies. He wore the “A” on his sweater as a junior before becoming a captain as a senior.

UConn has two other seniors that could return for a fifth year: Forward Nick Capone and defenseman John Spetz.

The Huskies still have a few holes to fill at forward after Matthew Wood, Samu Salminen, Jake Black and Mark D’Agostino transferred out. They’ll bring in four freshmen but want to add more from the transfer portal.

The other two positions on the roster are likely set. UConn will pair its four returning defenseman (plus Spetz, if he uses his fifth year) with Princeton transfer Nick Carabin and three freshmen. In goal, the Huskies have three new faces with UNH transfer Tyler Muszelik and freshmen Callum Tung and Thomas Heaney.