Following the loss of several star players and key contributors — including former captain Justin Hryckowian, forwards Gunnarwolfe Fontaine and Matt Choupani and defenseman Hunter McDonald — at the 2023-24 season’s end, the Northeastern men’s hockey team did not shy away from making new additions to the roster. With 15 new additions to the Huskies this season, including nine freshmen, there are many upcoming stars to keep an eye out for.

New stars on the rise include forward Joe Connor, defenseman Jack Henry and goaltender Quentin Sigurdson.

Head coach Jerry Keefe emphasized the value these rookies will add to the team this season. In his 13 years as both assistant and head coach, Keefe has coached 25 NHL draftees, 10 of which are currently listed on NHL rosters, including Devon Levi, Sam Colangelo and Jayden Struble. The coaching staff’s approach to development comes through video reviews and team practices. 

“Now that we’re a couple weeks into the season, they’re not really even freshmen anymore,” Keefe said. “Everyone’s a part of this thing now.”

The rookies arrived at Northeastern in July and quickly forged a bond with each other and older players. 

“When we came here over the summer, we all bonded super fast,” Sigurdson said. “That first weekend, we were all hanging out, so I’ve got a lot of good relationships with those guys.”  

From Sartell, Minnesota, Sigurdson began playing hockey when he was three years old because of his family’s love for the sport. He played for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League before coming to Northeastern. His draw to Northeastern was the history, culture and coaching staff of the hockey team, he said. Sigurdson currently plays as a backup goaltender to sophomore Cameron Whitehead, with an ultimate goal of becoming the starting goaltender. 

“I can go to [Whitehead] with anything,” Sigurdson said. “It’s fun to watch and work with him. He’s a great goaltender. You can learn a lot from watching him.”

Keefe echoed this sentiment.

“He’s got a great leader in front of him. [Whitehead] is as focused of a kid as you’re ever gonna find. With [Sigurdson], he sees that every single day and he’s a focused kid too. You can see he’s really driven, he’s very prepared,” Keefe said. 

This season, the Huskies are led by captain and junior forward Jack Williams and assistant captains junior defenseman Jackson Dorrington, junior defenseman Vinny Borgesi, graduate defenseman Jake Boltmann and junior forward Cam Lund. These older players serve a major role in developing the freshmen on the team and establishing a tight camaraderie.

“Getting all the guys together and starting that team building and bonding was really important, I thought our group came really close right away,” Keefe said. 

Dorrington emphasized the importance of having a strong presence for the team as an assistant captain and veteran.

“I came in a couple times [this summer], met some of them, skated with them, gave them some tips, and they’ve asked me a bunch of questions. Leading by example is how I try to lead them,” Dorrington said. 

More than half of all NCAA athletes are USHL alumni, with 910 players listed on NCAA rosters. Seven Northeastern freshmen played in the USHL before becoming a Husky: Henry, Sigurdson, Connor, Ethan Fredericks, Griffin Erdman, Ben Poitras and Seth Constance. 

“Everyone’s bigger, stronger, faster, everyone plays the right way [in college]. It’s much harder, everyone’s much more on their game and connected,” Connor said, describing the difference between playing in the USHL and the NCAA.  

“Details are a big part of it. Everything is really fast, very competitive and really crisp. The puck movement, just the speed of the game is really, really fast,” Henry said. 

Henry previously played for the Madison Capitols of the USHL. Northeastern’s elite hockey program was not the only draw for Henry. “The academic side of things are incredible as well,” he said. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity to make network connections.”

Not only did many of the freshmen find success in the USHL, but one in particular has already been eyed by the NHL. Connor, drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL draft with the 195th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning, looks to prepare for professional hockey during his time at Northeastern. 

“Coach Keefe is probably one of the best guys to do it. He’s been doing it for a long time. It’s a really good spot here,” Connor said. 

For Connor, playing in the Beanpot tournament was a draw to Northeastern. “I’ve always wanted to win one of those, it’s a dream of mine,” he said.

There are high hopes for the future of the team with this class of freshman, on and off the ice. The Huskies are 1-3-1 following games against No. 1 Denver and No. 7 Maine Oct. 18 and 19 and 25 and 26, respectively. Connor recorded an assist on Lund’s goal at Denver. “I thought he was one of our top players all weekend,” Keefe said. 

“In a couple years, they’re going to be the older guys — the leaders,” Dorrington said. “I think they have a good, strong base right now, and they’ll come into their own and shape this program into what they can make it. Hopefully they’ll be building off of what my class and the older guys have built.”