The Northeastern Huskies come into Jim Madigan’s second season as head coach with a very different looking team than last season. The team loses eight skaters from last year’s squad that failed to qualify for the Hockey East playoffs. Madigan brings in 12 new skaters including three transfers for 2012-13, making this recruiting class the second-largest in program history,

Ryan Belonger (F): Belonger joins the Huskies after spending the last two seasons playing for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, where he posted 72 points for the club. At 5’10″ and 175 lbs, Belonger is one of the smaller players on the Huskies’ roster, but should be an important role player this season.

Cam Darcy (F): Cam Darcy originally recruited to Northeastern under Greg Cronin, and honored his commitment when Madigan became head coach. The South Boston native has spent the last two seasons playing for the US National Development Program and is the second player to join the Huskies from the USNTDP in two years, following Adam Reid.

Dustin Darou (D): Former Michigan commit Dustin Darou comes to Northeastern from the Smith Falls Bears of the CCHL, where he spent the previous five seasons. Darou played 269 career games in the CCHL and is expected to bring maturity as a freshman to a depleted Huskies defensive corps.

Jarrett Fennell (D): 6’2″ Defenseman Jarrett Fennell has played the last two seasons in the OJHL for the Aurora Tigers, where he served as team captain in 2011-2012. Madigan describes Fennell as a strong skater and solid puck-moving defenseman, making him a valuable addition to a thin group of blue liners.

Mike Gunn (D): Mike Gunn will join former teammate Belonger on the Huskies this fall. Gunn had 11 points in 47 games for Youngstown and served as alternate captain alongside Belonger. The Michigan native credited Youngstown assistant coach and former Husky Rob Rassey for opening his eyes to Hockey East and Northeastern.

Dax Lauwers (D): Dax Lauwers is one of three new Huskies that has NCAA Division-I hockey experience, and will start his Northeastern career as a sophomore.  Lauwers spent 2010-2011 with Army hockey and was named the team’s most valuable freshman. Lauwers then left Army and spent last season with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL. He is a stay-at-home defenseman and blocks a lot of shots, so he should see regular ice time.

Matt Marshall (F): Former Vermont Catamount Matt Marshall will join Northeastern for his senior season in 2012-2013.  Marshall started his senior year at Vermont last season, but only played in 2 games before missing most of the season due to injury. He will add depth and veteran leadership to a young Huskies roster.

Michael McMurty (F): Michael McMurty has spent the last three seasons in the CCHL as a member of the Gloucester Rangers. In 2011-2012 he served as team captain and led the team in scoring with 73 points, earning himself a spot on the All-CCHL Second Team.  McMurty is described as a playmaker, but also a really good shooter. He should help provide offense to a Northeastern team that lost five of its top 10 scorers from 2011-2012.

Kevin Roy (F): The biggest name of the Huskies incoming class, Kevin Roy is expected to immediately make an impact in Hockey East. Roy spent last season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL and took the league by storm in his first season. His scoring line for the Stars was 54-50-104, which is a franchise record. Roy won USHL Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and was First Team All-USHL. Kevin was formerly committed to Brown University, along with older brother Derrick, but de-committed to join Northeastern. Roy was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Derrick Roy (G): After recently de-committing from Brown University, Roy and his brother Kevin committed to Northeastern and are joining the Huskies for this fall. Derrick spent last season with the South Shore Kings of the EJHL, where he finished sixth in the league in Save Percentage (.912) and Goals Against Average (2.78). Derrick will not likely challenge for a starting role this season with Chris Rawlings returning, but he will provide depth to a position that will have two seniors this year.

Colton Saucerman (D): Only appearing in 24 games for the Lincoln Stars before suffering a season-ending knee injury, Colton Saucerman collected 14 points in his limited action. Saucerman is known as an offensive defenseman, who can potentially quarterback the powerplay, and will compete to play right away.

Torin Snyderman (F): Torin Snyderman is the third of the new class of Huskies to have Division-I NCAA experience, having spent the past two seasons with Sacred Heart University of the AHA. Snyderman scored 20 points in his two seasons at SHU, but will be ineligible this season due to his transfer. He will be available to suit up in 2013-14 as a junior.

- Mike Sobel

WRBB Sports Hockey Hockey, Recruits