NEWS

Following a rebuilding season in 2017-18, which saw the Catamounts post a dismal 7-17-0 record, the University of Vermont rebounded to finish 11-10-2 in 2018-19. With a record above .500, UVM also ended the season ranked #17 in the ACHA D2 Northeast Region. While a lackluster second semester prevented Vermont from qualifying for the Northeast Regional Tournament, there are many positive takeaways from the 2018-19 campaign. Here are three of the most notable outcomes:

1. Strong Senior Leadership

Despite a small graduating class of just 5 players, UVM's senior and graduate leadership was palpable in 2018-19. Leading the way were senior co-captains Harrison Naylor (Toronto, ONT) and Connor Bradley (South Burlington, VT). Since arriving in Burlington in the fall of 2015, Naylor has been one of the most dynamic scorers in UVM ACHA hockey history. In 2018-19 he cemented his legacy, eclipsing the 30-point threshold with 12 goals, 19 assists, and 31 points in 21 games played. With 71 career points, Naylor has moved to second all-time in UVM ACHA scoring. From the blue line, Bradley proved to be an excellent set-up man, tallying 6 goals and 15 assists for 21 points on the season.

Also contributing were Dan Venezia (Flemington, NJ) and Connor van Ryn (Whitby, ONT). Venezia, a 4-year player for the Catamounts, registered 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points. He was most prolific during the second semester, boasting 5 points in 7 games. One of the best storylines of the season was van Ryn, a 4-year player for UVM's NCAA D1 men's lacrosse team. Upon graduating from the Grossman School of Business, van Ryn elected to remain at GSB and earn his Master of Accountancy degree. With no NCAA eligibility left, van Ryn still had the competitive spirit, born from his days of flattening Connor McDavid in peewees. In his first season of high-level hockey since high school, van Ryn posted 5 points from the blue line, including the bardown game-winner against Merrimack College.

Henrik Nilsson (Vallentuna, SWE), another 4-year ACHA player at UVM, graduated at the conclusion of the fall 2018 semester. In 10 games played, Nilsson potted 2 goals and dished out 4 assists for 6 points in 2018-19. Nilsson finished his UVM career in 25 points in 49 games.

Naylor, Bradley, Venezia, van Ryn, and Nilsson will all finish the 2018-19 year with degrees from the University of Vermont. Naylor will be returning for the 2019-20 year to play ACHA hockey and earn his Master of Accountancy degree.

2. Excellent Goaltending

One of the major contributing factors to UVM's 2018-19 success was excellent goaltending. As a unit, UVM's goaltenders improved the team save percentage from a .894 S% in 2017-18 to a .914 S% in 2018-19. Much of that improvement can be credited to a breakout season by sophomore Monty Cunningham (Pittsford, NY). After seeing limited action in his freshman year, Cunningham took the reigns as UVM's starter in 2018-19 and posted one of the best statistical years in program history. In 13 games played, Cunningham registered a .924 S% and 3.13 GAA while starting games against some of the best teams in the entire ACHA.

Cunningham's heroics were bolstered by Dana Marsh (Derby, VT), Andrew Ehler (Hingham, MA), and Eric Roy (Grand Isle, VT). In 9 games, Marsh recorded a .911 S%, 2.69 GAA, and 6-0-0 record. In 2 games, Ehler recorded a .912 S%, 1.80 GAA, and a 1-0-0 record. In 2 games, Roy recorded a .854 S% and 4.34 GAA.

3. Breakout Seasons

Several UVM players had breakout performances in 2018-19. Playing on the Catamounts' first line, junior assistant captain Jack Levinsky (Burlington, VT) went from 6 combined points in his first two seasons to 25 points in 2018-19. The third piece of UVM's top trio, Joey Konvit (Allendale, NJ) saw himself put together a sparkling freshmen season, tallying 24 points in 23 games. Sophomore defenseman Cole Garabed (Warwick, NY) quarterbacked Vermont's powerplay and tallied 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points. Kyle Vock (South Burlington, VT) set a new personal high in scoring with 11 points, 10 of which were assists. Finally, Colin Lach (Shelburne, VT) improved on his 3-point freshman campaign to score 10 as a sophomore.

Looking Ahead

With only three players graduating from UVM's spring semester roster, the Catamounts are poised to remain successful in 2019-20. The Catamounts will return their entire first line and 3 of their top-4 defensemen. Anticipating a full roster of 32 student-athletes, the Catamounts will look to bring in a minimum of 7 first-year players this fall. Any incoming UVM freshmen, or current UVM students with an interest in playing ACHA hockey, should get in touch with the Vermont ACHA coaching staff immediately. Head Coach Matthew Hopper can be reached by email at matthew.hopper@uvm.edu.