TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team will add nine players to its roster for the 2017-18 season, first-year head coach Dave Smith has announced. Five are from the United States, two are from Canada and one is from Sweden.
“Each of the guys from the incoming class bring something different to our hockey team,” said Smith. “What I like most about them is that we began with the foundation of being positive, team first and competitive. Their backgrounds are very diverse and experiences much different. Each of them has played a role on their team as a leader. They will join our returning group and add to our program’s on ice strengths of skating, skill and character – all things that they have showcased throughout their career.”
Below is the list of Rensselaer’s recruits with their 2017-18 statistics and a quote:
Forwards
Jaren Burke (6’3, 215)
Left Wing from Ottawa, Ont. / Ottawa (CCHL)
62 GP: 29 goals – 24 assists – 53 points
“Being able to attend a world-class institution like RPI, while playing NCAA hockey for a program with such a proud history, is an unbelievable opportunity. During my campus visit, I, along with my family, really felt that RPI is a place that I could be successful academically, athletically and have an opportunity to grow as a person. You can really feel that everyone around the university and the hockey program is excited for the future and I am proud that I get to be a part of it.”
Billy Jerry (6’4, 190)
Center/Right Wing from River Falls, Wisc. / Madison (USHL)
58 GP: 12 goals – 9 assists – 21 points
“My family and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to attend RPI, because it is one of the top schools in the nation academically. It also has some of the richest history and tradition in college hockey. I am really excited to be an RPI Engineer!”
Emil Ohrvall (5’10, 169)
Left Wing from Halmstad, Sweden / Waterloo (USHL)
48 GP: 13 goals – 25 assists – 38 points
“To have the opportunity to get a degree from a school like RPI and still grow and chase my dreams, as a person and hockey player, together with my brother, I am forever thankful.”
Gavin Payne (6’0, 200)
Right Wing from Minnetonka, Minn. / Langley (BCHL)
54 GP: 16 goals – 21 assists – 37 points
“Attending RPI will be a challenging yet very exciting new chapter of my life. Obviously, academically RPI is a very prestigious college and I can’t wait to receive a great education. The hockey program is first-class and consistently stacks up against some of the nation’s best schools. It will be an honor to wear the RPI jersey for the next four years and I can’t wait to get it going!”
Jon Richards (6’2, 165)
Center/Right Wing from Callaway, Minn. / Austin (NAHL)
51 GP: 19 goals – 16 assists – 35 points
“[Playing at Rensselaer] is a dream come true for my family and me. The hockey and academics are incredible. RPI has a great history of hockey and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”
Owen Stout (5’10, 175)
Left Wing from West Vancouver, B.C. / Coquitlam (BCHL)
23 GP: 10 goals – 19 assists – 29 points
“I am excited to continue the next chapter at RPI. I look forward to getting to know my teammates and coaching staff over the next four years. I am excited for the challenges, both academically and athletically, that RPI has to offer.”
Troy York (5’11, 190)
Right Wing from Plano, Texas / Lone Star (NAHL)
49 GP: 24 goals – 17 assists – 41 points
“I am very excited to be attending RPI in the fall. The academics itself is one of the best in the country and to be a part of such a historic hockey program is going to be something special. My family couldn’t be more excited and proud to see me further my education and continue my hockey career.”
Defense
Matthew Harris (6’1, 195)
Left Defense from Sudbury, Mass. / Boston (USPHL)
40 GP: 3 goals – 24 assists – 27 points
“Throughout youth hockey, my parents and I dreamed that hockey might help me get into a great college and have the experience of playing in a top-notch D-I program. Both have come true for me at RPI.”
Goalie
Linden Marshall (6’3 195)
From Victoria, B.C. / Trail (BCHL)
30 GP: 15 wins – 11 loses – 0 ties – 2.86 GAA – .917 SV%
“My parents and I are thrilled to be a part of the RPI family. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and cannot wait for an amazing four years.”
