On Thursday via their Instagram, Northeastern Men’s Hockey announced the numbers for all thirteen newcomers on the roster. This is always one of our favorite days of the offseason because it means 1) hockey is right around the corner and 2) we get to look at who picked what number and remember some former players who used to wear that number before them. Let’s dive in to see who chose what number and who had them in previous seasons.
Alex Campbell, #27– Campbell transferred to Northeastern from Clarkson, where he was one of the top goal scorers in the nation, with thirty goals in the last two years. Campbell wore 11 at Clarkson which is worn by Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, so instead he chose number 27, previously worn by Jack Hughes, Neil Shea, Bobby Hampton, and fan favorites Dalen Hedges and Alex Tuckerman.
Patrick Dawson, #10– Dawson comes to Northeastern after four years at Sacred Heart where he was an assistant captain his senior year. In choosing number 10, he carries on the numbers legacy most recently worn by Jakov Novak, Dylan Jackson, Brandon Hawkins, and Sam Kurker, in addition to excellent players like Steve Quailer, Harry Mews, and Gerry Cowie. Dawson wore 27 at Sacred Heart.
Brett Edwards, #20– Coming to Northeastern from Denver, at which he won a national championship in 2022, Edwards trades his number 28 on the Pioneers for number 20 on the Huskies. The elder statesman of the team takes the number from Alex Mella, and before him came Eric Williams, Luke Eibler, Yale Lewis, and Roger Holeczy.
Michael Fisher, #16– The San Jose Sharks drafted Fisher in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft, and he arrives to Northeastern after an injury-shortened stint with Youngstown in the USHL. Fisher will wear number 16, previously worn by Sam Colangelo, Matt Thomson, Brendan Collier, and the program’s all-time leading scorer, Jim Martel.
Nolan Hayes, #3– A Northeastern University legacy, Hayes comes to Northeastern from West Kelowna in the BCHL. In wearing number 3 he follows in the footsteps of elite Northeastern players like Jayden Struble, Josh Manson and Dan McGillis.
Connor Hopkins, #1- A transfer from Yale, Hopkins keeps the same number he wore in New Haven on his back for his Northeastern career as well. Number 1 is classically a goalie number and was worn most recently by the beloved Devon Levi, as well as previous favorites Jake Theut, Derick Roy, and Adam Geragosian.
Dylan Hryckowian, #13– The younger brother of captain Justin Hryckowian comes to Northeastern from Cedar Rapids of the USHL, where he wore number 11. Number 13 has a short history of being worn, and Hryckowian will be only the eighth player in program history. Previous players include Ryan St. Louis, Biagio Lerario, Randy Guzior, and Northeastern assistant coach Jason Guerriero.
Andy Moore, #18– Hryckowian’s teammate in Cedar Rapids, Moore was the captain of the RoughRiders last season and wore number 7, which is currently worn by Michael Outzen. Instead he takes number 18, previously worn by some of the most reliable players in recent memory, including Tyler Spott, a personal favorite in John Stevens, former Northeastern assistant coach Mike McLaughlin, and former Stanley Cup winner Chris Nilan.
Billy Norcross, #19– Norcross comes to Northeastern via the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, and is fresh off helping the Vees win the BCHL Championship. He also wore number 7 in juniors, and instead picks 19 at Northeastern, which has a history of successful players in its history, including Riley Hughes, Lincoln Griffin, Mike Szmatula, Wade MacLeod, and the first player selected in the first round of the NHL Draft in program history, former NHLer Mike Ryan.
Eli Sebastian, #23– Coming from Green Bay of the USHL, Sebastian is another incoming player who wore 11 in juniors and had to change upon arrival to NU. Sebastian takes 23, most recently worn by Cam Gaudette and recent NHLer Mike Kesselring, and previously worn by Colton Saucerman and Sebastian LePlante.
Matt Staudacher, #25– A defenseman transferring after a four year career at Minnesota, Staudacher wore 55 at Minnesota but Northeastern has not had numbers that high in nearly a decade. Instead he keeps one 5 in the number by selecting 25, recently vacated with Aidan McDonough’s graduation. Prior to Dunzo, 25 was worn by seven other players including Patrick Schule and JF Aube.
Pito Walton, #4– The last transfer on the list, Walton comes to Northeastern after a four year career at Princeton. He was one of Princeton’s captains last season when he wore 21, worn by graduate student Matt DeMelis. Instead he takes #4 which was worn the last four years by Jeremie Bucheler. Prior to him, number 4 was worn by players such as Jeremy Davies, Dan Cornell, Will Averill, and Jim Averill.
Cameron Whitehead, #39– Last and certainly not least, Whitehead comes to Northeastern as the heir apparent to the starting goaltender position via the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. Whitehead keeps the same number as he worn in juniors, the #39 that was previously worn at Northeastern by six other players including Liam Pecararo, Jake Theut, Rob Dongara, and the legendary goalie Brad Thiessen.
All in all, thirteen names is a large class of newcomers but with nine graduating seniors plus action in the transfer portal, this was expected for the 2023-24 season. We will have previews of each of these newcomers and what they bring to the team in terms of play style and expected contributions as the calendar turns to September. Hockey is almost here, friends- just a little more waiting.
As always, go Huskies!