Men's Hockey Announces Incoming Class for 2008-09 Season

STORRS, Conn. (May 9, 2008) – Head Coach Bruce Marshall announced Friday that eight players will join the team for the 2008-09 season. What follows are Coach Marshall’s comments on each of the student athletes.

Bobby Reiners (Grosse Ile, Mich.) played the last three seasons for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL where he captained the team in the 2007-08 season. He helped lead his team to the 2006 Clark Cup (USHL Championship). In 60 games this past season, he scored one goal and added six assists. In 2005-06 he played with current Husky, Andrew Olson (Alexandria, Minn.). Reiners also played for the Green Bay Gamblers and Lincoln Stars of the USHL. The staff welcomes Bobby to Storrs and feels that his leadership and tremendous work ethic will have a positive impact right away for the program.  He is a solid defensive defenseman who should compete for ice time right away. 

Corey Jendras (Abingdon, Md.) played the last two seasons with the Santa Fe/Topeka Roadrunners of the NAHL, and he led his team in scoring this past season with 69 points good enough for ninth place in NAHL overall. He also tied for seventh overall goals scored with 30, including 17 power play goals. Jendras ranked third in the league in shots on goal with 229 shots in 57 games and helped lead team to NAHL Robertson Cup Tournament (NAHL Championship). He was a former teammate of current Husky Jason Krispel (Cypress, Calif.) in 2006-2007 at Santa Fe. Corey is a dynamic offensive threat with a great shot. He brings a scoring touch to our team and is expected to continue that development in Storrs.

Daniel Naurato (Northville, Mich.) played for the South Shore Kings of the EJHL this past season, where he led his team in scoring with 61 points in 45 games. He was second overall in EJHL scoring in 2007-2008 while leading the league with 41 assists. His older brother Brandon will be a senior at The University of Michigan next season. The staff is excited to see Daniel in a Huskies uniform.  He should add some offense up front with his great ice vision and also the ability to win key faceoffs.

Pat McAuley (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) played for the New Jersey Rockets of the AJHL this past season, where he was second on the team in scoring with 51 points. He led the team with 26 goals in 35 games and was in the top ten in scoring in AJHL. He also played in the USA Hockey Tier III Junior A National Tournament in Marlborough, Mass. in March 2008. McAuley spent 21 games in 2006-2007 with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL where he recorded two goals and three assists for five points. Pat should bring a lot of energy to our lineup with his overall physical play. He also brings a scoring touch from the left side and will be a nice complement to our core of forwards.

Brad Cooper (Boca Raton, Fla.) is a 2008 graduate of Avon Old Farms Prep School in Avon, CT. While there, he helped Avon win back to back New England Division I Prep School Championships in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. He recorded three goals and 15 assists in 28 games during the 2007-2008 season. Cooper was part of a stellar defense at Avon leading the team to a 27-1 record and a stingy goals against average. The staff believes Brad will be a great addition to an already strong and young defensive core. He is a solid skater who contributes on offense as well as defense and brings a championship attitude with him to our program.

Brian Maguire (Foxboro, Mass.) is a 2008 graduate from Cushing Academy (Division I) Prep School in Ashburnham, Mass. where he played with fellow incoming freshman forward, Josh Bernard. Maguire led his Division I Prep School in scoring with 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points in 29 games. The staff feels that Brian is a strong two way player who will bring a good understanding of the game to our program.

Josh Bernard (Fitchburg, Mass.), is also a 2008 graduate of Cushing Academy (Division I) Prep School in Ashburnham, Mass., where he was second in scoring with 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points, one point behind Maguire. He is a young, strong forward the staff is excited to work with.  The staff feels Josh has all the attributes needed and we look forward to watching his development.

Marcello Ranallo (Burnaby, British Columbia) played the past two seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, where he was second on his team in points this past season with 16 goals and 38 assists for 54 points. He is a true Canadian who will join current Husky Jeff Sapieha (Calgary, Alberta) as the only Canadians on the roster. Ranallo possesses a great shot from the left side, and is an experienced junior player with a great understanding of the game. His experience should help him to compete for a lineup spot right away.

The Huskies are coming off a 13-21-3 season with an 11-14-3 record in the Atlantic Hockey Association. The team will begin the 2008-09 season on October 10 when they travel to Alaska to participate in the Kendall Classic.