UNH Press Release: University of New Hampshire head men’s hockey coach Mike Souza has announced the freshman class for the 2018-2019 season. Joseph Cipollone (Purchase, N.Y.), Angus Crookshank (North Vancouver, British Columbia), Filip Engarås (Stockholm, Sweden), Eric Esposito (West Haven, Conn.), Drew Hickey (New Canaan, Conn.), Will MacKinnon (Plymouth, Mich.), Jackson Pierson (Zionsville, Ind.), Ty Taylor (Richmond, British Columbia) and Ryan Verrier (Reading, Mass.) will join the program.“We are very excited about the 2018-2019 freshman class,” said Souza. “With five forwards, three defensemen and one goalie, this class brings talent and depth. What stands out about this group is their strong leadership qualities. We really look forward to having them be a part of our program.” Joseph Cipollone Forward, 5-8, 175, Shoots LeftPurchase, N.Y.Boston Junior Bruins (NCDC)COACH SOUZA: “Joseph has good hockey sense and will bring character. He earned some tremendous experience playing junior hockey and won a championship in the USHL.” BEFORE UNH: • Played in two seasons for the Boston Junior Bruins (NCDC) as he posted 38 goals and 53 assists for 91 points• 2017-2018 Assistant captain• Tallied nine goals and five assists for 14 points for the Tri-City Storm (USHL) • Team won the 2016 Clark Cup Championship• Attended the South Kent School where he was a two-time team captain and MVP (2013-2014 & 2014-2015)• Recorded 39 goals and 64 assists for 103 points over two seasons• Was a member of the Student CouncilPERSONAL:• Son of Domenick and Eileen• His father played baseball at Fordham (Class of 1981)• Has two sisters (Alaina and Alexa)Angus CrookshankForward, 5-11, 180, Shoots LeftNorth Vancouver, British ColumbiaLangley Rivermen (BCHL)COACH SOUZA: “Angus is a skilled player with a high compete level and an ability to find the back of the net. He has a strong work ethic and tremendous upside.” BEFORE UNH: • Posted 35 goals and 40 assists for 75 points for the Langley Rivermen (BCHL), including 25 goals and 27 assists for 52 points during the 2017-2018 season• Member of the Canada West Team that won the gold medal at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge • Ranked fourth in scoring in the tournament with two goals and three assists for five points • Scored the game-winner in the championship game versus the United States• Selected to the 2018 Top Prospects Game• Attended Burnaby Central Secondary School where he was the league’s MVP and top scorer in 2015-2016• Posted 87 goals and 52 assists for 139 points over two seasons which included 57 goals and 26 assists for 83 points during 2015-2016• Graduated with honors PERSONAL:• Son of George and Sandy• His father was a member of the hockey team at Minnesota Duluth (Class of 1983)• Has one brother (A.J.)Filip EngaråsForward, 6-0, 194, Shoots RightStockholm, SwedenSkellefteå AIK (SuperElit)COACH SOUZA: “Filip is a two-way player that is excellent on faceoffs. He was the center on a talented line for his team and led them to success. He was a two-year team captain that will bring leadership qualities.” BEFORE UNH: • Played three seasons for Skellefteå AIK (SuperElit) in Sweden• Two-time team captain (2016-2017 & 2017-2018)• He posted 28 goals and 28 assists for 56 points over 93 games for the Under-20 team• Appeared in 19 games for the Sweden International junior team• He tallied four goals and three assists for seven points during the 19 games• Attended the Anderstorp School in Skellefteå, SwedenPERSONAL:• Son of Mats-Olof and Ulrika• Has one sister (Gabriella)Eric EspositoForward, 5-11, 183, Shoots RightWest Haven, Conn.Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)COACH SOUZA: “Eric is a hard-nose tenacious player who had a great year last year in the USHL. As team captain he led the Youngstown Phantoms to the USHL finals.” BEFORE UNH: • Played three seasons for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)• Team captain (2017-2018)• Team won the 2017-2018 Eastern Conference Championship and advanced to the Clark Cup Finals• Posted 34 goals and 25 assists for 59 points over three seasons which included 23 goals and 10 assists for 33 points during 2017-2018• Also tallied four goals and five assists for nine points during the 2018 playoffs• Played two seasons of varsity hockey at the Loomis Chaffee School (2013-2014 & 2014-2015) where he recorded 23 goals and 20 assists for 43 points, winning the Large School Championship in 2013-2014 and the Founders League title in 2014-2015• Graduated from Austintown-Fitch High School in Austintown, OhioPERSONAL:• Son of Joe and Melisa• Has two brothers (Alex and A.J.) and one sister (Calleigh)• His brother Alex is a member of the hockey team at Vermont (Class of 2021) as the brothers were teammates for two seasons at YoungstownDrew Hickey Defenseman, 5-11, 185, Shoots RightNew Canaan, Conn.Connecticut Junior Rangers (NCDC) COACH SOUZA: “Drew is a strong leader with experience as a captain. He had a great year with the Connecticut Junior Rangers last year. He also has the ability to move the puck.”BEFORE UNH: • Played two seasons for the Connecticut Junior Rangers (NCDC)• Team captain in 2017-2018• Posted the most points by a defenseman in the league in 2017-2018 with seven goals and 27 assists for 34 points• Earned 2018 League All-Star accolades and was named the Defensive Player of the Week• Totaled 10 goals and 36 assists for 46 points over two seasons• Attended the Taft School where he played three seasons of varsity hockey• Team captain in 2015-2016• Received 2015-2016 first team All-Founders League honors• Recorded three goals and 21 assists for 24 points for his careerPERSONAL: • Son of Thomas and Karen• His father was a member of the track and field team at Fordham (Class of 1985)• Has two sisters (Kellianne and Jenna)Will MacKinnonDefenseman, 5-11, 200, Shoots LeftPlymouth, Mich.Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)COACH SOUZA: “Will has great leadership attributes. He is a strong defenseman that can move the puck. He will bring character to our team on and off the ice.” BEFORE UNH: • Played the 2017-2018 season for the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)• Assistant captain• Won the team’s Most Improved Defenseman Award• Posted two goals and eight assists for 10 points• Member of the National Team Development Program in 2016-2017, playing in 91 games• Graduated from Brighton High School in MichiganPERSONAL:• Son of Dan and Julie• His father played hockey at Waterloo (Class of 1998) and is the Senior Director of Player Personnel for the New Jersey Devils• Has one sister (Maggie)Jackson PiersonForward, 5-9, 175, Shoots LeftZionsville, Ind.Culver Military Academy (USHS)COACH SOUZA: “Jackson is a two-way player that sees the ice well. He has leadership qualities as he was the captain for the No. 1 ranked High School team in the nation at Culver Military Academy.” BEFORE UNH: • Member of the varsity hockey team at Culver Military Academy• Team captain in 2017-2018• Culver’s all-time career leading scorer with 58 goals and 92 assists for 150 points. • Broke the season points record with 88 on 30 goals and 58 assists during 2017-2018.• Averaged 1.81 points per game during his career• Three-time Team MVP• The team went 43-4-1 in 2017-2018 finishing the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation by USA Hockey, the best in program history• Three-time USA Hockey National Championships participants and two-time Mid Am District Champions (2015-2016 & 2017-2018)• Earned 2017-2018 Academic All-State honors • Received the Silver A award as a junior and senior for maintaining a 3.4 and above GPA• Recipient of the Culver Class of 1987 Merit ScholarshipPERSONAL:• Son of Todd and Aida• His father played baseball at Purdue (Class of 1989)• Has one brother (Cooper) and one sister (Kya)Ty TaylorGoaltender, 6-4, 200, Catches LeftRichmond, British ColumbiaVernon Vipers (BCHL)COACH SOUZA: “Ty is a goaltender with natural ability. He had a tremendous year in Vernon where he was named the BCHL Goalie of the Year. He brings competitiveness, athleticism and size.” BEFORE UNH: • Two-year member of the Vernon Vipers (BCHL)• Named the 2017-2018 BCHL Goalie of the Year• 2017-2018 CJHL Top Goalie Nomination• Earned 2017-2018 first team All-BCHL accolades• Set the team’s all-time season record for shutouts with eight which tied the league’s all-time record • Posted a 1.87 goals against average and a .931 save percentage• Won the team’s 2017-2018 Wayne Buck Memorial Award for Most Dedicated• Received the team’s Most Improved Award in 2016-2017• Recorded a career 2.38 goals against average and a .919 save percentage• Played the 2015-2016 season at South Delta Secondary school as he posted a league-best 1.46 goals against average and a .940 save percentage leading the team to the CSSHL championship • Graduated from McMath Secondary SchoolPERSONAL:• Son of Mervyn and Julia• Has three brothers (Trey, Tate and Teyce)Ryan VerrierDefenseman, 6-0, 185, Shoots LeftReading, Mass.Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)COACH SOUZA: “Ryan is a mobile defenseman and had a great season in the USHL leading his team in points by a defenseman. He will add to our athleticism on our blue line.”BEFORE UNH: • Played the 2017-2018 season for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) as he posted four goals and 14 assists for 18 points• His 18 points led all defensemen on the team• Played one year of varsity hockey at the Salisbury School (2016-2017) where he tallied seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points as he led all defensemen in scoring and won the team’s Most Improved Player Award• Three-year member of the varsity team at Austin Prep (2013-2016) and was the team captain• Was named the team’s MVP in 2015-2016 as he led the team with 27 points on 11 goals and 16 assists• Was a CCL All-Star in 2016• Boston Globe “Super Team” (All-Scholastic) and Boston Herald All-Scholastic in 2015-2016PERSONAL: • Son of Brian and Colleen• His father was the captain of the hockey team at UConn (Class of 1990)• His mother was a member of the women’s soccer team at UConn (Class of 1990)• Has one brother (Sean) and one sister (Shea)• His brother is a member of the hockey team at St. Anselm (Class of 2020)