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UConn men's hockey lands first CHL commitment
The Huskies made program history on Sunday.
Daniel Connolly
November 25, 2024
Photo: Ian Bethune
UConn men’s hockey made history by landing its first-ever recruit out of the CHL: Forward Carlin Dezainde. A native of Calgary, he currently plays for the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos.
Dezainde is listed at 5-11, 172 pounds with a left-handed shot. Though he was not selected in the NHL Draft, he participated in the Boston Bruins’ rookie camp this past September and “made a good impression on the coaching staff,” per New England Hockey Journal’s Mark Divver. Born Dec. 29, 2004, Dezainde will be 20 when he joins the Huskies next fell.
He’s currently in his fifth season in the WHL, totaling 48 goals and 69 assists in 209 career games with the Medicine Hat Tigers (2021-22), Prince George Cougars (2022-24) and the Swift Current Broncos (2024).
Very excited and honoured to announce my commitment to play Division 1 Hockey at the University of Connecticut
Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way
GO HUSKIES 🐺🐾
— Carlin Dezainde (@CDezainde)
1:20 AM • Nov 25, 2024
Earlier this month, the NCAA voted to allow CHL players to participate in Division I hockey beginning next season. Previously, the league was considered professional which made every player ineligible for college. The CHL is an umbrella organization that represents three major junior leagues: The Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
UConn has been busy on the recruiting trail. Dezainde is the Huskies’ third commitment in the last week, joining a pair of ‘08 forwards from Russia.
