University of St. Thomas Athletics
Meet Men's Hockey's 13-man newcomer class for fall 2022
6/1/2022 2:58:00 PM | Men's Hockey
St. Paul, MInn. - As he starts year two on the job, Tommie Men's Hockey coach Rico Blasi is excited to wrap up his first complete recruiting class, with at least 11 freshmen and two transfers.
Fourteen months ago, Blasi was introduced as St. Thomas' first Division I men's hockey coach. His resume included 398 victories during a 20-year run at Miami (Ohio).
At St. Thomas, Blasi quickly put together his coaching staff, then rounded out his 2021-22 roster by blending Juniors hockey signees, transfers and Division III returners.
Less than six months after his arrival, Blasi's first Tommie squad jumped into the fire with a season-opening series against the nation's No. 2-ranked team. The won-loss column wasn't the most accurate measuring stick of the team's effort and progress during that first D-I season. But the team's resilience, work ethic and steady improvement helped create an identity for the program.
Fast forward to June: the Tommies' promising 2022 recruiting class has been fully assembled and is expected to build on that identity. A 13-man newcomer class is expected to bring a mix of the tangibles -- like speed, size and stick handling -- as well as some key intangibles that will help the team excel on and off the ice.
"It was important for us to have a year under our belt to recruit, and to bring in guys who are going to be important pieces to our build," Blasi said. "You can't do it overnight, and when we got here a year ago in April 2021, it was a little late in the process to identify and bring in some of your own guys. Having that year to identify prospects was important.
"We feel good about the recruits coming in: they all fill a certain role for our team. It's the way we want to build it. Building a program out, like my grandfather would say, is like growing the vines. You have to prune a little, take the leaves off, and be patient. In a short time for us, it will start to bear fruit.
"All of the guys we have coming in are here for a reason. They will play a certain role, and we are excited for it. They are believers in what we are doing in terms of our vision as a program and the university. When it's all said and done, they will have a big say in what the future of St. Thomas Hockey looks like.
"So, alongside the 11 guys who are returning, I believe we are putting together a team that can play any kind of style. We want to focus on our identity. We will be able to get up and down the ice, play hard between the dots, and compete along the walls at both goal lines. A lot of credit goes to our assistant coaches. We are excited about it."
Freshman Class:
- Jake Braccini: Hanover, Minn., Forward, 5-11, 192… played for Muskegon Lumberjacks in USHL… shoots left... 2021-22: In 59 games recorded 25 goals, 22 assists for Muskegon
- Josh Eernisse: Apple Valley, Minn., Forward, 6-2, 205… played for Tri-City Storm in the USHL... shoots right.... 2021-22: In 52 games recorded 9 goals, 8 assists for Tri-City
- Cooper Gay: Edina, Minn., Forward, 6-4, 210… played for Fargo Force in USHL… shoots left... 2021-22: In 51 games recorded 7 goals, 7 assists for Fargo
- Luke Kron: Andover, Minn., Forward, 6-0, 179... played for Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL… shoots left... 2021-22: In 41 games recorded five goals, one assist for Sioux Falls
- Luc Laylin: St. Michael, Minn. Forward, 5-8, 170... played for Prince George Spruce Kings in the BCHL. shoots right... 2021-22: In 37 games recorded 13 goals, 19 assists for Prince George
- Quinton Pepper: London, Ontario, Forward, 6-3, 187... played for Steinbach Pistons in the MJHL... shoots right.... 2021-22: In 42 games recorded 30 goals, 25 assists for Steinbach
- Carson Peters: Minneapolis, Minn., Defense, 6-3, 200… played for Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in USHL… shoots left... 2021-22: In 58 games, recorded 11 assists for Cedar Rapids
- Ethan Roberts: Cary, N.C., Goalie, 6-1, 172… played for Springfield Jr. Blues in NAHL… catches left... 2021-22: In 39 games, was 19-14-3, 2.80 GAA, .919 save% for Springfield
- Braidan Simmons-Fischer: Detroit, Mich., Defense, 6-7, 220… played for Austin Bruins in NAHL… shoots right.... 2021-22: In 58 games, recorded 7 goals, 10 assists for Austin
- Aaron Trotter: Victoria, B.C., Goalie, 6-2, 170… played for Prince George Spruce Kings in BCHL… catches left.... 2021-22: In 45 games, 23-15-8, 2.30 GAA, .914 save% for Prince George
- Lucas Wahlin: Woodbury, Minn., Forward, 5-11, 165… played for Lincoln Stars in the USHL... shoots right.... 2021-22: In 59 games, recorded 31 goals, 20 assists for Lincoln
Transfer Class:
- Garrett Daly: Lakeville, Minn., Defense, 6-0, 195... played for Bowling Green State University in CCHA... shoots right... Played in 88 games for Bowling Green over the last three seasons
- Grant Docter: Golden Valley, Minn., Defense, 5-11, 174... played for Michigan Tech University in CCHA... shoots left... 2021-22: Played in six games for Michigan Tech.
Did You Know?
On June 6, St. Thomas will unveil its 2022-23 game schedule as it prepares for its second season in Division I. The Toms will again play a 26-game CCHA slate, as well as eight non-conference contests.
The Tommies' 3-32-1 record in 2020-21 included 13 losses by one- or two-goal margins; three overtime defeats; and eight losses to teams ranked No. 1 or 2 in the national polls.
