The 2015-16 Badger Men’s hockey season will get underway this Friday night, October 9, at the Kohl Center. With the new season come ten new faces added to the Wisconsin roster.
Introducing the Freshmen Forwards
Matthew Freytag, Forward, #15, 6-1, 198 lbs., from Wayzata, Minnesota
Freytag joins the Wisconsin Badgers after a stint with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. He tallied 15 goals and 15 assists for the Storm his second year with the team.
He played at Wayzata High School in Minnesota where he was one of the Warriors standouts racking up 27 points his senior year in the 2013-2014 season.
Freytag looks to contribute to the Badger’s offense as the season progresses.
Seamus Malone, Forward, #18, 5-10, 175lbs., from Naperville, Illinois
Malone is welcomed into the Badgers hockey program after a three-year career in junior hockey playing all three seasons for the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
This past season Malone managed to accumulate 58 points in 58 games for Dubuque, which ranked him 11th in the USHL at that figure.
Malone looks to make an immediate impact for the Badger’s offense that struggled so heavily last season. Reports have him centering the second line for the Badgers with Adam Rockwood and stand out Grant Besse on the wings.
Jarod Zirbel, Forward, #8, 5-11, 170lbs., from Green Bay, Wisconsin
Zirbel comes to the Badgers with a little hometown talent; from Green Bay, Wisconsin this forward spent his last season in Madison playing for the Madison Capitals along side fellow freshman Will Johnson.
Zirbel manages 13 points, 7 goals and 6 assists, with the Capitols.
Jarod will more than likely take this year to develop more as a hockey player possibly seeing limited ice time. He will be a big piece moving forward for the Badgers.
Will Johnson, Forward, #17, 5-10, 175lbs., from Santa Barbara, California
Will Johnson stands alone as the only California native to be on the Badger’s roster.
Johnson spent all of last year in Madison, however, with the Madison Capitols. In 30 games he managed 36 points including 9 goals before a season ending injury left him on the bench.
Fully rehabbed and healthy, Johnson looks to grab some crucial ice time for Wisconsin and pick up where he left off at the Capitols.
Zac Keryluk, Forward, #14, 6-1, 220lbs., from Verona, Wisconsin
Zac Keryluk born just minutes away from Madison follows his father, Ken Keryluk’s, footsteps by joining the Wisconsin hockey team.
His father, Ken, was a member of the 1981 NCAA championship team at Wisconsin scoring 35 goals in his career at Wisconsin.
Zac spent his last season playing junior hockey for the New Jersey Hitmen, scoring 12 goals and 32 points in 50 games helping the Hitmen win the 2015 Dineen Cup. An award given to the USPHL Premier Division Champions.
Tanner Barnes, Forward, #22, 6-0, 182lbs., from Eagan, Minnesota
Tanner Barnes is another Minnesota native hockey player who joins the Wisconsin Hockey team this year as a true freshman.
Tanner spent the last three seasons playing junior hockey, his latest with the Johnstown Tomahawks where he performed well enough to be named to the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament Team for the North Division after posting 31 points in 60 games.
Tanner is the younger brother of former Badger hockey standout Tyler Barnes. Tanner looks to continue the tradition and to carry the legacy Tyler left behind.
Luke Kunin, Forward, #9, 6-0, 190lbs., from Chesterfield, Missouri
Last but certainly not least to join the Badgers is Luke Kunin. Kunin, arguably Wisconsin’s most talented freshman, joins the Badgers after spending a year with the USA Under 18 National Team Development Program. He posted 27 goals and 42 points during his time with the national team.
He is rated as a first round candidate for the NHL draft when he becomes eligible in 2016.
Kunin really does it all on the ice and his talent is not going unnoticed by the veteran Badgers and Coach Mike Eaves.
Luke looks to start on the left wing on the first line centered by Sophomore Cameron Hughes with Junior Jedd Soleway on the right wing.
Kunin will be called upon early and often to kick start a Badger offense that struggled mightily last year on their way to a record of 4-26-5.
Overall Outlook for the Newcomers:
It is a season for redemption for this Badger squad who looks to reclaim its reputation of a top-notch NCAA program. While this year’s sophomores will likely be the focal point of the season, expect some of this freshman class, especially Kunin and Malone, to contribute to the offense if the Badgers hope to be successful.
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