UNH HOCKEY - TWO PLAYERS TO WATCH

University of New Hampshire Hockey

Two Players to Watch

Last season the University of New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Hockey Team posted an 11-20-6 record. Look for an improvement as Tyler Kelleher from Longmeadow, MA enters into his senior year. Last season for UNH Tyler posted 42 points in the tough Hockey East Conference in 39 games, including 18 goals and 24 assists. He looked very good in summer play at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, MA that conducts one of the best off season summer hockey leagues in the nation. Tyler's younger brother, UNH commit, Charlie Kelleher, looked equally impressive in summer league play after outstanding season's with the Junior Bruins in the USPHL Premier Division. Many feel, myself included, that Charlie is ready to play for UNH now, but he will be playing for the Tri City Storm in the USHL for another year of high level Junior play. It would have been great to see the two brothers play together at UNH, but that is the way it goes!

(Photographs by Alfredo)

Another familiar player who will bolster UNH Hockey this season is Freshman, Brendan van Riemsdyk. Brendan hails from Middletown, New Jersey where he played for the hockey powerhouse, Christian Brothers Academy. For the last two seasons he played for a strong Islanders Hockey Club Team in the USPHL Premier Division. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2014-15 and last season he helped lead the Islanders to a 36-8 record and the Founders Cup Championship in the USPHL. In 49 games he had 53 points, including 21 goals and 32 assists. USA Junior Hockey Magazine called the USPHL the "Backyard of College Hockey" and "The Nations's Premier Hockey League".

Having witnessed Brendan play over many games he is a very good finesse player. Yet last season he clearly demonstrated the ability to combine finesse with strong physical play. He should be fully ready to play for UNH in the Hockey East Conference. He has good size at 6' 3" and 200 lbs. Brendan's two brothers, James and Trevor, now in the NHL,  followed the same path in playing for the Islanders Hockey Club and UNH before being drafted by the NHL.  

We will look for some exciting play by both Senior, Tyler Kelleher, and Freshman, Brendan van Riemsdyk, and a good season for UNH Hockey. They play nearby at the Mullins Center on October 28 vs. UMass Amherst, and at the Hartford XL Center on February 25 vs. UConn. They also have a career "cherish-able" moment in playing at Fenway Park against Northeastern on January 14. (Ask the players from Cathedral High School what a great thrill that was.)

Alfredo DiLascia

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