2012-13 Roster  |  2012-13 Quick Facts  |  Release in PDF format

The Northeastern men's hockey program welcomes in a formidable class of 12 new student-athletes to the 2012-13 roster as announced by head coach Jim Madigan on Monday, Aug. 27. Six forwards, five defensemen and one goaltender help form a new-look Huskies squad to push the roster to 30 skaters. It is Northeastern's biggest incoming class since 2005-06 (13).

“There are 12 Northeastern hockey players arriving on campus in the fall of 2012. I'm really excited and pleased with the class and how they're going to be able to make an impact on our program,” Madigan said. “As is the case with most freshmen, there will be a period of getting adjusted to college hockey for most of them. I'm very confident that in a short period of time, they'll be right up to speed and will be able to contribute to our success.”

Northeastern lost eight student-athletes from last year's roster. Steve Quailer and Anthony Bitetto embarked upon professional careers with the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators organizations, respectively. Mike McLaughlin, last season's lone senior, graduated and Alex Tuckerman completed his degree in the most recent summer semester. Luke Eibler transferred to Northern Michigan while Drew Daniels, Justin Daniels and Rob Dongara will not return to this year's roster.

Of the 12 newcomers, five are international skaters from Canada, including three from Ontario and two from Quebec. Dustin Darou, Jarrett Fennell and Michael McMurtry hail from Ontario while brothers, Kevin Roy and Derick Roy, come to Boston via Quebec. The remainder of the class is comprised of three skaters from Massachusetts (Cam Darcy, Matt Marshall and Torin Snydeman) along with a delegate from Alaska (Dax Lauwers), Colorado (Colton Saucerman), Michigan (Mike Gunn) and Wisconsin (Ryan Belonger).

Northeastern's newest corps of forwards includes Belonger, Darcy, Marshall, McMurtry, K. Roy and Snydeman. Darou, Fennell, Gunn, Lauwers and Saucerman will guard the blue line while D. Roy will be the Huskies' fourth netminder on the squad.

Three of the Northeastern's newest Huskies skate into Matthews Arena with previous collegiate experience. Lauwers will have sophomore eligibility after his stint at Army during the 2010-11 season. Marshall played the last four seasons (2008-12) at Vermont, but missed his senior season due to injury. The Hingham, Mass., native will have one year of eligibility left at NU. Snydeman transfers to Northeastern after two seasons at Sacred Heart. The Groton, Mass., native will have to sit out the 2012-13 season per NCAA rules but will have junior status in 2013-14.

Five different leagues helped furnish NU's 2012-13 class. The United States Hockey League (USHL) sent over seven players (Belonger, Darcy, Gunn, Lauwers, K. Roy, Saucerman and Snydeman) while the Central Junior Hockey League (CCHL) yielded Darou and McMurtry. Fennell comes over from the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and D. Roy played in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) prior to NU. Before his stint at Vermont, Marshall skated at Noble and Greenough as part of the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association (NEPSIHA).

A pair of NHL clubs own draft rights to two of Northeastern's newcomers. The Anaheim Ducks selected K. Roy in the fourth round, 97th overall, in this year's NHL Entry Draft. Marshall was a Tampa Bay Lightning selection in 2007 (fifth round – 150th overall).

Senior forward Vinny Saponari will captain the Huskies' 30-man roster in 2012-13. Classmate Robbie Vrolyk and sophomore Ludwig Karlsson will be this season's alternate captains.


Ryan Belonger

Before NU: Spent the last two seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League…named assistant captain in 2011-12 and posted a scoring line of 16-21-37…helped Youngstown to a 32-21-7 mark and a USHL playoff birth, scoring one goal and one assist in six games of postseason play…recorded 21 goals and 14 assists in 2010-11…his 21 goals tied for 20th best in the USHL and second highest total for all returning players in the USHL heading into 2011-12…in 2009-10, posted a scoring line of 10-18-28 for the St. Louis Bandits of the North American Hockey League…led St. Louis to a 44-11-3 record and tallied four goals and three assists in 10 playoff contests…named Team MVP in 2008-09 after registering 37 goals and 39 assists for the Green Bay Jr. Gamblers AAA club.

Personal: Born May 5, 1992…coached by Northeastern hockey alumnus, Rob Rassey, for two seasons in Youngstown…enjoys golfing and fishing…plans to major in graphic design…Class of 2016.

Madigan on Belonger:
"Belonger is a prototypical two-way forward, but is very good defensively. He's a hard-nosed skater who plays the game with an edge. Belonger is a character-type player who will be able to give us some time killing penalties."


Cam Darcy
Fr.  •  F  •  6-0  •  183  •  Right  •  South Boston, Mass.  •  U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)

Before NU: Spent the last two seasons with the Under-18 and Under-17 U.S. National Team Development Program as part of USA Hockey in Ann Arbor, Mich.…in 2011-12, helped the U.S. National Under-18 Team capture its fourth straight gold medal at the IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship in the Czech Republic…part of the U.S. National Under-18 Team's tournament victory in the Four Nations Cup in Monthey, Switzerland…skated in 24 games for Team USA in the United States Hockey League and scored four goals and two assists…in 2010-11, was a member of the U.S. National Under-17 Team that clinched the 2011 Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 Tournament in Piestany, Slovakia and led all skaters in the tournament with four goals in three games…scored the game-winning goal over Slovakia…part of the U.S. National Under-17 Team that finished second at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Portage La Prairie and Winnipeg, Manitoba… part of the U.S. National Under-17 Team's tournament victory at the 2010 Four Nations Cup in Woodridge, Ill.…as part of Team USA's play in USHL action, skated in 54 games and posted a scoring line of 14-7-21 in 2010-11…complied a four-game goal-scoring streak from Dec. 12, 2010, to Jan. 9, 2011…in 2009-10, skated with Dexter Southfield School and tallied 46 points on 27 goals and 25 assists with a +25 rating.

Personal: Born March 2, 1994…major is undecided.

Madigan on Darcy:
"Darcy is a highly skilled, offensive type of player who's more of a playmaker with an ability to score. He will compete for a center position and is someone that thinks the game really well offensively."


Dustin Darou

Before NU: Played five seasons in the Central Canada Hockey League for the Smiths Falls Bears (2007-11) and Carleton Place Canadians (2011-12)…set career-highs during 2011-12 in goals (15), assists (28) and points (43), and was fourth among league defensemen in scoring…played in 269 career CCHL games, registering 39 goals and 96 assists for 135 points, while accumulating 301 penalty minutes…appeared in at least fifty games in each of his five CCHL seasons…before the CCHL, he played for the Ottawa Valley Titans of the Ontario East AAA Minor Hockey League.

Personal: Born Oct. 29, 1991…major is undecided.

Madigan on Darou:
"Darou is a good blend of offense and defense. He is physically mature, and he will be able to make the adjustment to the college game right away. Darou will come in and have a chance to log some quality minutes."


Jarrett Fennell

Before NU: Played for the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League the last two seasons…captained Aurora in 2011-12 and scored six goals and 16 assists as a defenseman …helped lead Aurora to the OJHL playoffs after a 28-21 mark and notched a goal and two assists in nine postseason games…named Aurora's most improved player…one of four captains to represent the OJHL at the All-Star Tournament in Smith Falls, Ont.…started the 2010-11 season with the Collingwood Blackhawks of the OJHL and tallied one assist in five games…finished 2010-11 with Aurora and posted a scoring line of 3-7-10…captained Collingwood in 2009-10 and finished with 12 points, tallying four goals and eight assists…in 2008-09, registered two goals and 13 helpers with Collingwood and was named the team's most improved player…played two years of varsity hockey for Innisdale Secondary School and captained the team for once season…played two varsity seasons as a scrum half for the Innisdale rugby team…played tailback for one season on the Innisdale football team.

Personal: Born March 28, 1991…honored with the integrated technology award at Innisdale for a 4.0 grade point average…volunteered at the Canadian Paraplegic Association…enjoys wake surging, snowmobiling, wake boarding and golf…plans to major in criminal justice…Class of 2016.

Madigan on Fennell:
"Fennell is a good skater with strong agility. He's really thorough in his own zone. Fennell is a puck-moving defenseman with a blend of lffense and defense. he possesses a crisp pass that will move puck out of the zone."


Mike Gunn

Before NU: Played for the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League in 2011-12…named an assistant captain for Youngstown and scored one goal with 10 assists in 47 games as a defenseman… helped Youngstown to a 32-21-7 mark and a USHL playoff birth…in 2010-11, named an assistant captain for the Chicago Steel of the USHL…skated in 32 games and tallied one goal and three assists from the blue line…in 2009-10, scored 10 points (6-4-10) in 18 games with the St. Louis Bandits of the North American Hockey League…closed out the 2009-10 season with three games for Chicago…played for the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the NAHL in 2008-09 and registered two goals and five assists in 35 outings.

Personal: Born May 5, 1992… coached by Northeastern hockey alumnus, Rob Rassey, for one season in Youngstown…enjoys golfing, fishing, wake boarding, water skiing and hanging out with friends at the lake…aspires to play professional hockey…major in undecided…Class of 2016.

Madigan on Gunn:
"Gunn is a strong, puck-moving defenseman who gives you a blend of offensive and defensive skill. He's a mature young man, and someone that I think will grasp our system pretty quickly."


Dax Lauwers
So.  •  D  •  6-2  •  210  •  Left  •  Anchorage, Alaska  •  Lincoln (USHL) / Army (AHA)

Before NU: Played all 60 games for the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League and helped led the club to a western conference championship with a 38-18-4 mark…captained Lincoln and registered five assists as a defenseman…finished fourth on the team with 87 penalty minutes…voted the fans' 'best choice' as a defenseman with Lincoln…in 2010-11, skated in 33 games for the United States Military Academy of the Atlantic Hockey Association and scored one goal with two assists…named Most Valuable Freshman at Army…started his USHL career with Lincoln in 2009-10 and logged four assists in 54 contests… chosen for the USA National Development Camp for two seasons…played catcher for four years of varsity baseball at Dimond High School…led team to a state championship and was an all-state selection as a catcher.

Personal: Born Sept. 27, 1991… graduated in the top 10 percent of his high school class…father, Calvin, played baseball and basketball at Bethel University…sister, Kristi, played volleyball at Bethel University…cousin, Colton, played basketball at Adams State…enjoys hunting, fishing and skiing…aspires to pursue a career in professional hockey and then move into a career in engineering or dentistry…plans to major in mechanical engineering…Class of 2015.

Madigan on Lauwers:
"Lauwers is your typical stay-at-home defenseman. He stays at home, moves the puck up and keeps it simple. Lauwers is tough as nails and might block more shots than the goalie in some games."


Matt Marshall
Sr.  •  F  •  6-1  •  200  •  Right  •  Hingham, Mass.  •  Vermont (HEA) / Noble & Greenough (NEPSIHA)

Before NU (at Vermont):  As a senior, played in just two games and missed the majority of the season due to injury...as a junior, played in 27 of 36 games scoring three goals and adding two assists for five points…had 47 shots on goal…recorded his first multi-goal game and first career game-winner in a 6-5 victory over No. 19 Dartmouth (Dec. 12)…named the Hockey East Top Performer…provided a goal in his first game back from an injury (Mar. 4) against UML…tallied an assist in Game 2 of the Hockey East Quarterfinals at No. 2 seed UNH…as a sophomore, played in 33 of 39 games…scored a goal and had four assists…had 45 shots…notched an assist in a 6-4 win at No. 1 Denver on Oct. 10…scored a goal in a 4-1 loss at Maine on Oct. 30…assisted in a 5-2 win against No. 12 Minnesota-Duluth in the Catamount Cup championship game…notched an assist in a 3-0 win at UMass on Jan. 24…had an assist in a 2-2 tie against Merrimack on Feb. 12, as a rookie, played in 24 of 39 games and posted one goal and three assists … Had 22 shots and a plus-6 rating … Earned the first point of his career with an assist in the season opener in a 4-1 win against RPI in Quebec City.

Before UVM: Played at Noble and Greenough School in 2007-08…scored 25 goals and 26 assists for 51 points in 29 games…ranked in the top-15 in goals and points among New England Prep players.

Personal: Born Aug. 30, 1988… drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round, 150th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft… sister, Meg, played lacrosse at New Hampshire…enjoys playing tennis in his spare time…Class of 2013.

Madigan on Marshall:
"Marshall comes to Northeastern with a familiarity of Hockey East and can instill a sense of veteran leadership right off the bar. We're excited to have an experience skater with a strong skill set that can help along our large class of freshmen. He understands what it takes to compete at this level day in and day out."


Michael McMurtry

Before NU: Appeared in 122 games over three seasons with the Gloucester Rangers of the Central Canada Hockey League…led the Rangers in goals (29), assists (44) and points (73) during the 2011-12 season…named to 2012 CCHL Second All-Star Team…captained the Rangers in 2011-12…had an eleven-game point streak from Dec. 11, 2011 to Jan. 22, 2012, during which he registered eight goals and 13 assists… before Gloucester, he also played for the CCHL's Kemptville 73s, the Metcalfe Jets of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League, and the Upper Canada Cyclones of the Ontario East AAA Minor Hockey League.

Personal: Born June 5, 1992…played one season of varsity baseball and one season of varsity basketball at École secondaire catholique Franco-Cité in Ottawa, Ontario…Great Uncle Bert O'Brien was a longtime assistant coach with the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's…enjoys basketball, golf, cooking, working out and music…plans to major in business with aspirations of becoming an NHL player agent…Class of 2016.

Madigan on McMurtry:
"McMurtry is a good skater and possesses great lateral movement with the puck. He can set the table as a playmaker, but he's a really good shooter and has the ability to make you miss."


Derick Roy

Before NU: Spent the 2011-12 season playing for the South Shore Kings of the Eastern Junior Hockey League…Roy's 21 wins were second overall in the EJHL in 2011-12…had a .912 save percentage and a 2.78 goals against average, finishing the regular season ranked sixth in the EJHL in both categories…played at St. Paul's School from 2008-11…served as a captain at St. Paul's during the 2010-11 season.

Personal: Born Nov. 12, 1991…brother Kevin, a forward, is also a freshman Husky.

Madigan on D. Roy:
"Derick will be a welcomed addition to our goaltending corps. Derick had a strong season in between the pipes last season and the added depth at that position will be important for our team moving forward."



Kevin Roy
Fr.  •  F  •  5-10  •  170  •  Left  •  Lac-Beauport, Québec  •  Lincoln (USHL)

Before NU: Spent the 2011-12 season playing for the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League…named 2011-12 USHL Player of the Year…named 2011-12 USHL Forward of the Year…selected All-USHL First Team…selected All-USHL Rookie Team…selection and participant in 2012 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game … invite and participant in 2012 NHL Central Scouting Combine…final 2012 NHL Central Scouting ranking of 78, projecting him as a potential top-three round NHL Draft choice…record-breaking 2011-12 season as Roy led the USHL in scoring with 54 regular-season goals and 104 points (54g, 50a), which was well past the previous Lincoln Stars franchise records of 47 goals and 83 points…His point total was the most in the USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present) and the most by a USHL player in over two decades…was the first player in USHL Tier 1 history to score 50 goals…became the first USHL player to reach the 50-goal mark since the 1993-94 season…his 54 goals were the most in the USHL since the 1988-89 season…his +44 rating also led the USHL and was the second-highest mark in USHL Tier 1 history…led the Stars to a 38-18-4 record and a first place finish in the USHL Western Conference…finished tops in power play points with 28 (14g, 14a), first in shots (305), and tied for second in game-winning goals (7)…had a USHL season-high 15-game point streak from February 29th to April 13th, in which he produced 31 points (16g, 15a)…the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto requested a pair of hockey gloves used by Roy during his record-shattering season…played at Deerfield Academy from 2009-11…recorded 62 points (31g, 31a) in 52 career games at Deerfield.

Personal: Born May 20, 1993…drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round (97th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft…brother Derick, a goaltender, is also a freshman Husky.

Madigan on K. Roy:
"Kevin is a special player that looks to make an immediate impact in Hockey East. His offensive skill set should boost our offensive production from last season. Kevin had an amazing season last year and we hope that firepower carries over as a Husky."


Colton Saucerman

Before NU: Played a shortened season due to injury for the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League in 2011-12…helped Lincoln to a western conference championship with a 38-18-4 mark…skated in 24 games in last season and accrued 14 points (3-11-14) with a +11 rating…in 2010-11, split time with the Dubuque Fighting Saints alongside current Husky Vinny Saponari and the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League…skated in eight contests with one assist for Dubuque…finished out the 2010-11 season as captain of Corpus Christi…notched eight goals and 26 assists in 39 contests and was named Defenseman of the Year…his 34 points were third on the club…in 2009-10, skated in 55 games with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL and totaled six points (2-4-6)…led Des Moines in penalty minutes with 124 on the season…captained the Pikes Peak Miners AAA U-16 club in 2008-09…became the first defenseman to reach 50 points (12-38-50) and helped his team to a 30-24-6 record.

Personal: Born May 5, 1992…enjoys golfing, cooking and playing video games…aspires to play professional hockey…major is undecided…Class of 2016.

Madigan on Saucerman:
"Saucerman's game is predicated more on offensive skill. His presence will give us more offense and we hope he factors in as a force on the power play. He is someone we feel will get some quality minutes this year."


Torin Snydeman
Jr.  •  F  •  6-0  •  195  •  Right  •  Groton, Mass.  •  Sacred Heart (AHA) / Tri-City (USHL)

Before NU: Played two seasons at Sacred Heart University, with 20 points (5-15-20) in 67 games…appeared in 34 games his sophomore year in 2011-12, with one goal and seven assists…recorded an assist on Drew George's game-tying goal with 58 seconds remaining in regulation in a 5-5 tie at Connecticut (2/10)… scored a goal in the first game of the Pioneers' AHA quarterfinal series against Bentley (3/2)…appeared in 33 games as a freshman...scored four goals and collected eight assists for 12 points...posted his first career point with a goal against Clarkson (12/12)...had three assists in a 5-1 win in the regular season finale vs. Army (2/20)...grabbed two assists in a 6-3 AHA First Round win at Bentley (3/5)...scored the first goal of the game in the AHA quarterfinal opener at Air Force (3/11)… played prep school hockey at Cushing Academy, junior hockey for the Tri-City Storm and the Boston Junior Bruins, and midget hockey for the GBL Junior Bruins.

Personal: Born Jan. 15, 1990…major is pre-med…enjoys fishing, golfing, snowboarding and lacrosse.

Madigan on Snydeman:
"Snyderman is a very good skater with a strong skill set. After two years at Sacred Heart, he has the flexibility to contribute offensively, as well as capitalizing on his speed to be a good forechecker."