UNH Men’s Hockey Program Announces Freshman Class

The coach of the University of New Hampshire's men's hockey program has announced the freshman class for the 2021-22 season and three of the five athletes chosen are from New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Alex Gagne, pictured above, is from Bedford, NH. According to statistics put out by UNH's athletic department, he is a 6'4" defenseman.

Here are some other facts released by UNH:

• Played the 2020-21 season for the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) as he posted three goals and 23 assists for 26 points over 53 games, while he set the franchise record of a plus 35 plus-minus rating and was a 2021 USHL All-Third Team Selection
• Played the 2019-20 season for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) as he recorded two goals and six assists for eight points over 38 games
• Skated on the 2019 U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Piešťany, Slovakia and Břeclav, Czech Republic
• Invited to the 2021 World Junior Showcase from July 24-31
• Member of the New Hampshire Avalanche from 2016-19
• Graduated from Bedford High School in 2020

Connor Sweeney is from North Andover, Mass. He is a 6'2" forward.

• Played the 2020-21 season for the Islanders Hockey Club (NCDC) as he posted three goals and 14 assists for 17 points over 31 games
• Member of the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) during the 2019-20 season with two goals and 13 assists for 15 points 
• Played the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons at Lawrence Academy as he was the team captain in 2018-19 and earned All-ISL honors
• Tallied 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points over 60 career games at Lawrence Academy
• Graduated from Lawrence Academy in 2019
• His father, Bob, is the President of the Boston Bruins Foundation. He was the MVP of the 1983 Beanpot as a freshman at Boston College (Class of 1986) and appeared in 10 NHL seasons (1986-1996) playing with the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Calgary Flames

Robert Cronin is from Plymouth, Mass. He is a 5'10" forward.

• Played the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons for the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) as he posted 30 goals and 31 assists for 61 points over 92 games
• Led the team in scoring in 2020-21 with 28 goals and 25 assists for 53 points over 48 games as the team won the Dupaco Cowbell Cup
• 2021 USHL All-Third Team Selection
• Played one season at the Frederick Gunn School in 2018-19 when he recorded 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points as he was named the team’s Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All-New England West Team
• Graduated from Plymouth North High School in 2018 and from The Frederick Gunn School in 2019

“We are very excited to have these five student-athletes join our program as each one brings a unique skill set and our staff is eager to coach them,” said Coach Mike Souza in a statement.

Other freshman class team members include Will Margel of Potomac, Md. He is a 5'9" forward.

• Played the 2020-21 season for the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) with 25 goals and 36 assists for 61 points over 42 games as he was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year
• 2021 NAHL All-East First Team and NAHL Forward of the Month for March
• Member of the Madison Capitols (USHL) and the Coquitlam Express (BCHL) in the 2019-20 season
• Played four seasons for the Selects Hockey Academy at South Kent School as he set school career records for goals (127), assists (146) and points (273) as the team won the USA Hockey National Championship in 2019
• Three-year assistant captain and team’s MVP (2019)
• Graduated from South Kent School in 2019

Colton Huard will move across the country from Foothill Ranch, Calif., to play for the Wildcats. He is a 6'3" defenseman.

• Played the 2020-21 season with the Chicago Steel (USHL) as the team won the 2021 Clark Cup Championship as the winner of the USHL Playoffs
• Tallied three goals and 18 assists for 21 points over 53 games during the 2020-21 season
• Also played for the Chicago Steel in 2019-20 with one goal and seven assists for eight points, and for the Fargo Force (USHL) with one goal and five assists for six points
• Won the 2019 Robertson Cup as the national playoff champion of the NAHL with the Aberdeen Wings as he recorded two goals and 14 assists for 16 points 
• Graduated from Apex High School in 2019 
• His father, Bill, played in eight NHL seasons (1992-2000) making appearances with the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings 

Catch this freshman class, along with the rest of the ‘Cats, all season long with UNH's Season Ticket Membership packages.

Contact Managing News Editor Kimberley Haas at Kimberley.Haas@townsquaremedia.com.