UConn men's hockey picks up '05 defenseman Kai Janviriya

UConn men’s hockey added a piece to its defensive corps for next season, committing ‘05 defenseman Kai Janviriya.

A native of Bloomfield, Michigan, Janviriya is listed at 5-foot-8, 170 pounds with a right-handed shot. He currently plays for the USHL’s Lincoln Stars, where he has one goal and four assists in 19 games, but spent the 2021-23 with the US National U18 Team. Janviriya will be at least the third Husky to come through the national team development program alongside Tage Thompson and Joe Masonius.

From Elite Prospects 2023 NHL Draft Guide:

“A crafty blueliner, Janviriya zips across the ice, cutting away from pressure, stepping into opponents, and setting up teammates’ cross-slot passes for deflections, look off dishes to the far post, and fake shot passes to teammates walk into space. He activates off-puck, creeping down the weak side to become a shooting threat.”

Janviriya originally committed to Boston University before shaking free back in August.

With Jake Flynn, Harrison Rees, Andrew Lucas and John Spetz all set to depart after this season (and only Spetz has an additional year of eligibility), Janviriya is almost certain to arrive next fall alongside Kevin Fitzgerald and Trey Scott.