2020–21 UConn Huskies men's ice hockey season

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2020–21 UConn Huskies
men's ice hockey season
Conference4th Hockey East
Home iceXL Center
Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum
Rankings
USCHONR
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall10–11–2
Conference10–10–2
Home6–6–1
Road4–5–1
Neutral0–0–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachMike Cavanaugh
Assistant coachesJoe Pereira
Tyler Helton
Vince Stalletti
Joe Ferriss
Will Moran
Captain(s)Adam Karashik
Alternate captain(s)Brian Rigali
Zac Robbins
Carter Turnbull
UConn Huskies men's ice hockey seasons
« 2019–20 2021–22 »

The 2020–21 UConn Huskies men's ice hockey season was the 61st season of play for the program, the 23rd at the Division I level, and the 7th season in the Hockey East conference. The Huskies represented the University of Connecticut and were coached by Mike Cavanaugh, in his 8th season.

Season[edit]

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of Connecticut's players would lose a season of play.[1] However, the NCAA also approved a change in its transfer regulations that would allow players to transfer and play immediately rather than having to sit out a season, as the rules previously required.[2]

UConn began the season going through a gauntlet or ranked teams. The stiff competition handed the Huskies a 1–4–1 record and left the team with wallowing near the bottom of the conference standings. Despite the bad start, Connecticut turned its season around with a solid performance in January. While facing a slightly easier schedule, the Huskies ended the month a game over .500 and, after defeating Northeastern at the start of February, the team found itself in the top-20. The ranking didn't last long, however, and Connecticut's 4-game losing streak nearly ended any hope for the team. Winning the last two games of the regular season put the Huskies at .500 and, because Hockey East used a power index for ranking for the 2021 season, UConn finished 4th in the conference, the best result to date.

In spite of their mediocre record, Connecticut had a small chance to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament but it would need a good performance to make itself stand out from the other 'bubble teams'.[3] They got a good chance in the conference quarterfinals, facing Providence at home. The Huskies started slow and were badly outshot in the first period. When they did finally score the Friars had already built a 3-oal lead and their opponents cruised to a 6–1 victory.

Darion Hanson, Ryan Keane, Matt Pasquale, and Bradley Stone sat out the season.

Departures[edit]

Player Position Nationality Cause
Ben Freeman Forward  United States Graduation (Signed with Wheeling Nailers)
Justin Howell Forward  United States Graduation
Ruslan Iskhakov Forward  Russia Signed professional contract (HC TPS)
Wyatt Newpower Defenseman  United States Graduation (Signed with Cleveland Monsters)
Alexandre Payusov Forward  Canada Graduation
Jordan Timmons Forward  United States Transferred to Robert Morris

Recruiting[edit]

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Cassidy Bowes Forward  Canada 21 Kelowna, BC
Nick Capone Forward  United States 18 East Haven, CT; selected 157th overall in 2020
Darion Hanson Goaltender  United States 23 East Bethel, MN; transfer from Union
Gavin Puskar Forward  United States 19 Westfield, NJ
Hudson Schandor Forward  Canada 19 North Vancouver, BC
Artem Shlaine Goaltender  United States 19 Moscow, RUS; selected 130th overall in 2020
John Spetz Defenseman  United States 20 Oak Ridge, NJ; graduate transfer from Sacred Heart
Ryan Tverberg Forward  Canada 18 Richmond Hill, ON; selected 213th overall in 2020

Roster[edit]

As of February 12, 2021.[4]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Texas Ryan Keane Sophomore G 5' 9" (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1998-03-15 Lewisville, Texas Jamestown (NAHL) —
2 Russia Yan Kuznetsov Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2002-03-21 Murmansk, Russia Sioux Falls (USHL) CGY, 50th overall 2020
3 Connecticut Adam Karashik (C) Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-01-15 Ridgefield, Connecticut Chicago (USHL) —
4 Michigan Roman Kinal Junior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-07-20 Waterford, Michigan Dubuque (USHL) —
5 New York (state) Eric Linell Sophomore F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1998-09-17 Great Neck, New York Penticton (BCHL) —
6 New York (state) Ryan Wheeler Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-08-24 Lancaster, New York New Jersey (NAHL) —
7 British Columbia Jonny Evans Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1997-05-01 North Delta, British Columbia Powell River (BCHL) —
8 British Columbia Carter Turnbull (A) Junior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-09-08 Nanaimo, British Columbia Powell River (BCHL) —
9 Alberta Cassidy Bowes Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-02-17 Sturgeon County, Alberta Whitecourt (AJHL) —
10 Russia Vladislav Firstov Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-06-19 Yaroslavl, Russia Waterloo (USHL) MIN, 42nd overall 2019
11 Czech Republic Jáchym Kondelík Junior F 6' 5" (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1999-12-21 Budějovice, Czech Republic Muskegon (USHL) NSH, 111th overall 2018
12 Connecticut Gavin Puskar Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-06-21 Farmington, Connecticut Hotchkiss (USHS–CT) —
13 New York (state) John Wojciechowski Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-02-18 Mamaroneck, New York Langley (BCHL) —
14 Illinois Zac Robbins (A) Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1996-10-03 Glenview, Illinois Cedar Rapids (USHL) —
16 Massachusetts Jake Flynn Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-05-26 Bridgewater, Massachusetts Thayer (USHS–MA) —
17 Massachusetts Marc Gatcomb Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-07-22 Woburn, Massachusetts The Gunnery (USHS–CT) —
18 New Jersey John Spetz Freshman D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-12-01 Oak Ridge, New Jersey Chicago (USHL) —
19 Illinois Brian Rigali (A) Senior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-03-08 Libertyville, Illinois Sioux City (USHL) —
21 Connecticut Nick Capone Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-12-17 East Haven, Connecticut Tri-City (USHL) TBL, 157th overall 2020
22 British Columbia Hudson Schandor Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2000-09-29 North Vancouver, British Columbia Surrey (BCHL) —
23 British Columbia Carter Berger Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-09-17 North Vancouver, British Columbia Victoria (BCHL) FLA, 106th overall 2019
27 Ontario Harrison Rees Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-03-19 Mississauga, Ontario North York (OJHL) —
28 Ontario Ryan Tverberg Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-01-30 Richmond Hill, Ontario Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) TOR, 213th overall 2020
29 Alberta Kale Howarth Junior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1997-06-10 Red Deer, Alberta Trail (BCHL) CBJ, 148th overall 2017
31 Massachusetts Matt Pasquale Freshman (RS) G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-10-06 North Reading, Massachusetts Northeast (NAHL) —
32 Russia Artem Shlaine Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-03-17 Moscow, Russia Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS–MN) NJD, 130th overall 2020
33 Czech Republic Tomáš Vomáčka Junior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-05-02 Trutnov, Czech Republic Lincoln (USHL) NSH, 154th overall 2017
35 England Bradley Stone Senior G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1996-07-14 London, England Boston Jr. Bruins (USPHL) —

Standings[edit]

2020–21 Hockey East Standings
Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL SOW HEPI GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#6 Boston College 21 16 4 1 3 2 0 58.61 82 46 24 17 6 1 91 58
#11 Boston University 14 10 3 1 3 1 1 56.36 49 37 16 10 5 1 52 45
#1 Massachusetts * 22 13 5 4 1 1 1 55.44 76 42 29 20 5 4 103 48
Connecticut 22 10 10 2 1 4 2 52.01 69 63 23 10 11 2 70 69
#16 Providence 23 10 8 5 0 0 2 50.80 63 61 25 11 9 5 71 67
Northeastern 20 9 8 3 1 0 3 49.94 68 60 21 9 9 3 69 64
#19 Massachusetts–Lowell 16 7 8 1 1 1 0 48.00 46 53 20 10 9 1 59 63
Maine 15 3 10 2 0 1 2 46.66 41 61 16 3 11 2 43 68
Merrimack 18 5 11 2 0 1 0 45.38 47 66 18 5 11 2 47 66
New Hampshire 21 5 13 3 3 2 2 43.66 51 83 23 6 14 3 60 88
Vermont 12 1 9 2 0 0 0 38.02 17 37 13 1 10 2 20 42
Championship: March 20, 2021[5]
No Regular Season Champion Awarded[6]
* indicates conference tournament champion (Lamoriello Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and Results[edit]

[7]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Regular Season
November 20 6:00 PM at #7 Massachusetts Mullins Center • Amherst, Massachusetts NESN+ Vomáčka L 1–5  0 0–1–0 (0–1–0)
November 21 4:00 PM vs. #7 Massachusetts XL Center • Hartford, Connecticut   Vomáčka T 2–2 SOW 0 0–1–1 (0–1–1)
December 11 6:00 PM at #2 Boston College Conte Forum • Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts NESN Vomáčka L 3–4 OT 0 0–2–1 (0–2–1)
December 12 3:35 PM vs. #2 Boston College XL Center • Hartford, Connecticut   Vomáčka W 3–1  0 1–2–1 (1–2–1)
December 21 5:00 PM vs. #17 Massachusetts–Lowell XL Center • Hartford, Connecticut   Vomáčka L 1–2  0 1–3–1 (1–3–1)
December 23 3:30 PM at #10 Massachusetts Mullins Center • Amherst, Massachusetts NESN Vomáčka L 2–6  0 1–4–1 (1–4–1)
December 28 3:00 PM vs. #15 Providence XL Center • Hartford, Connecticut   Vomáčka W 2–0  0 2–4–1 (2–4–1)
January 1 4:00 PM at New Hampshire Whittemore Center • Durham, New Hampshire NESN Vomáčka W 2–1  0 3–4–1 (3–4–1)
January 2 4:00 PM vs. New Hampshire XL Center • Hartford, Connecticut   Vomáčka L 1–2 OT 0 3–5–1 (3–5–1)
January 15 4:00 PM vs. New Hampshire Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Connecticut   Vomáčka W 6–5 OT 0 4–5–1 (4–5–1)
January 16 5:00 PM at New Hampshire Whittemore Center • Durham, New Hampshire   Vomáčka W 8–3  0 5–5–1 (5–5–1)
January 22 4:00 PM vs. #1 Boston College Conte Forum • Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts   Vomáčka T 3–3 SOW 0 5–5–2 (5–5–2)
January 23 4:00 PM vs. #1 Boston College Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Connecticut   Vomáčka L 2–4  0 5–6–2 (5–6–2)
January 29 3:05 PM at Merrimack J. Thom Lawler Rink • North Andover, Massachusetts   Vomáčka W 6–1  0 6–6–2 (6–6–2)
January 30 3:00 PM vs. Merrimack Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Connecticut   Vomáčka W 6–2  0 7–6–2 (7–6–2)
February 5 5:05 PM at #14 Northeastern Matthews Arena • Boston, Massachusetts   Vomáčka W 4–1  0 8–6–2 (8–6–2)
February 9 5:00 PM at Massachusetts–Lowell #20 Tsongas Center • Lowell, Massachusetts NESN Vomáčka L 2–3 OT 0 8–7–2 (8–7–2)
February 12 4:30 PM at #16 Providence #20 Schneider Arena • Providence, Rhode Island NESN+ Vomáčka L 0–4  0 8–8–2 (8–8–2)
February 20 4:00 PM vs. #11 Boston University Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Connecticut   Vomáčka L 2–3 OT 0 8–9–2 (8–9–2)
February 26 4:00 PM vs. Maine Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Connecticut   Vomáčka L 4–6  0 8–10–2 (8–10–2)
February 27 4:00 PM vs. Maine Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Connecticut   Vomáčka W 4–2  0 9–10–2 (9–10–2)
March 5 5:00 PM vs. #15 Providence XL Center • Hartford, Connecticut   Vomáčka W 5–3  0 10–10–2 (10–10–2)
Hockey East Tournament
March 14 3:30 PM vs. #17 Providence* Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum • Storrs, Connecticut   Vomáčka L 1–6  0 10–11–2
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.

Scoring statistics[edit]

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Jonny Evans F 23 14 15 29 12
Jáchym Kondelík C 23 4 18 22 6
Hudson Schandor C 22 6 8 14 10
Carter Turnbull RW 23 9 4 13 10
Marc Gatcomb F 23 6 6 12 14
Vladislav Firstov LW 13 3 9 12 12
John Spetz D 22 3 8 11 10
Carter Berger D 21 1 8 9 6
Adam Karashik D 23 1 8 9 27
Artem Shlaine C 23 1 8 9 16
Kale Howarth LW/C 18 5 2 7 27
Ryan Tverberg C 14 4 3 7 16
Roman Kinal D 16 1 5 6 0
Yan Kuznetsov D 16 1 5 6 4
Jake Flynn D 23 1 5 6 12
Brian Rigali F 23 3 2 5 16
Harrison Rees D 21 2 3 5 8
Nick Capone RW 20 1 4 5 8
Cassidy Bowes LW 11 1 2 3 6
Ryan Wheeler D 18 2 0 2 8
Zac Robbins F 23 0 2 2 2
Eric Linell G 14 1 0 1 0
John Wojciechowski C 1 0 0 0 0
Gavin Puskar C 3 0 0 0 0
Tomáš Vomáčka G 23 0 0 0 2
Bench - - - - - 6
Total 70 125 195 238

[8]

Goaltending statistics[edit]

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Tomáš Vomáčka 23 1393 10 11 2 66 659 1 .909 2.84
Empty Net - 7 - - - 3 - - - -
Total 23 1400 10 11 2 69 659 1 .905 2.96

Rankings[edit]

Main article: 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey rankings
Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 20 NR NR NR NR NR NR - NR
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 15 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

USCHO did not release a poll in week 20.[9]

Awards and honors[edit]

Player Award Ref
Jonny Evans AHCA East Second Team All-American [10]
Jonny Evans Hockey East Scoring Champion
Jonny Evans Hockey East Three-Stars Award
Jonny Evans Hockey East First Team [11]
Tomáš Vomáčka Hockey East Third Team [11]
Jáchym Kondelík

Players drafted into the NHL[edit]

2021 NHL Entry Draft[edit]

Round Pick Player NHL team
7 205 Arsenii Sergeev† Calgary Flames

† incoming freshman [12]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility". CBS Sports. August 21, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "DI Council grants waiver to allow transfer student-athletes to compete immediately". NCAA. December 16, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  3. ^ "Bracketology: With Selection Sunday around the corner, taking one last stab at how the NCAA hockey tournament field will look". USCHO. March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "2020-21 Roster". University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  5. ^ "Hockey East Unveils 2021 Tournament and Seeding Format - Hockey East Association". hockeyeastonline.com. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "2021 Hockey East Women's Tournament Field Set". hockeyeastonline.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "UConn Huskies (Men) 2020-2021 Schedule and Results". College Hockey Stats. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  8. ^ "Univ. of Connecticut 2020-2021 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  9. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  10. ^ "Boston College, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin lead way with three All-American college hockey players apiece for '20-21 season". USCHO.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Hockey East Names 2020-21 Men's All-Star Teams - Hockey East Association". hockeyeastonline.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "NCAA player rankings, selections in 2021 NHL Draft". USCHO.com. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
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