The men’s hockey team roster will have some new faces this upcoming year. Connor Brickley, Nick Bruneteau, Anthony DeCenzo, Arthur Griem, Brooks Herrington, H.T. Lenz, Alex Vazzano and Matt White comprise the newcomers.

“Not only will these fine student-athletes help our program to continue to move forward on the national scene, but equally important, they will be great ambassadors for our university with contributions in the classroom as well as in the community,” Sneddon said.

The team’s captain, senior defenseman Kevan Miller, also said that the new players bring positive things to the team.

“I feel the newcomers are a talented group that bring a range of strengths. First, they all have great attitudes and are already adding to the culture we have here at Vermont,” Miller said. “It is clear that each one of them has spent the summer preparing for the season as they all came here in great shape.”

Brickley posted 22 goals for USHL Des Moines Buccaneers last season — the highest on the team. He also won a gold medal with the U.S. National Under-18 team at the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men’s U18 Championship.

“Connor had an incredible season playing for Des Moines, as well as representing team USA in four different international venues,” Sneddon said. “He brings size, speed, scoring and grit to our roster and will have an immediate impact for us.”

Bruneteau did not spend time in junior hockey but comes straight from Shattuck-St. Mary’s where he was the leading defensemen in scoring.

Sneddon said that despite Bruneteau’s lack of junior hockey experience, he is ready to become a skilled defenseman in the tough Hockey East Conference.

Griem is another defensemen who Sneddon and Miller say will have a shot at making an impact with playing time this season.

“Defensively, the two newcomers will add to our depth back on defense and create positive competition for playing time,” Miller said.

DeCenzo brings offensive scoring power, having tallied 14 goals and 16 assists for the Tri-City Storm last season.

Lenz, also a forward was a teammate of Brickley in Des Moines. There, his 21 goals were tied for second-most on the team.White scored 36 goals with 42 assists for the Pittsburgh Viper Stars and also spent time playing for Des Moines.

“Matt has had an interesting path to college hockey but we are extremely fortunate to have him join us at UVM,” Sneddon said

As for Herrington and Vazzano, they will be joining their older siblings who are already on the Catamount’s roster. Herrington is the younger brother of junior defensemen Lance Herrington and Vazzano is the younger brother of junior goaltender John Vazanno.

The younger Herrington played for the New Hampshire Monarchs of the EJHL, scoring 108 points over his two years with the team.

Vazzano, like his older brother, is a goaltender. He comes to the team straight from prep school and coach Sneddon thinks that he will continue to develop nicely as a member of the Catamounts.

“[Goaltending coach]  Lovelette will be perfect for his continued development as a college goaltender,” Sneddon said. “Alex makes our trio of goaltenders as solid as any team in the NCAA.”