The men’s hockey recruitment class of 2019 brings in players from across North America. These nine recruits bring a variety of skills across all positions to a team that lost several key players last year. This issue five key players are highlighted.

    Kearley played with the Langley Rivermen of the BCHL last season. He’s a physical presence on the blueline at 6 feet 4 inches and 239 pounds.

    He’ll be expected to fill a prominent role on defense in the absence of Mike Paliotta ’15 and Nick Luukko ’15.

   Besides a physical presence, “[Jake] can also add offense as he moves well for his size and can make plays,” Sneddon said, “Jake will be relied on to make plays this season.”

   Bowen is a talented forward who plays a heavy game.

   He’s a big body who works hard in all three zones.

   Like the other first years, he will need to adapt to the pace of college hockey.

   “One area we addressed in the recruiting process was adding some power forwards to the mix,” head coach Kevin Sneddon said, according to UVM athletics. “Brian can score and is very tough down low in the offensive zone. We expect Brian to make a quick transition to the college game and become an integral part of this year’s roster.”

    Lee is a smaller defenseman who makes up for his size in his hockey IQ and his skating.

   Chris Baudo, his coach at The Gunnery a prep school in Connecticut, said “his on-ice vision and ability to think the game, when combined with his natural skill set and high competition level, will allow him to thrive at every level moving forward.”

   “Mike is a very gifted and skilled defenseman,” Sneddon said. “Though he will have to learn what it takes to defend at this level, his skills are elite.”

   O’Neil is a goalscorer. He joins Vermont after scoring 30 goals last year for the Jersey Hitmen.

   He’s fast and has a heavy shot with a lightning release that could help him be an impact player early on.

   “Another power forward with speed and skill, Conor is a great addition to our forward lineup,” Sneddon said. “He’s been well coached and is ready to make an immediate impact on our roster this year.”

Puffer is a pure goalscorer and a big addition to the Catamount lineup.

   Puffer is one of the few first-years who might not have an issue with the speed of college hockey. He has the potential to put up a high number of goals in the NCAA if he can deal with the added physicality.

   “Craig has always found a way to score because of his skill, competitiveness and hockey intelligenc,” Sneddon said according to UVM athletics. “He had a great year in Chilliwack and will help us down the middle this season.”