BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont head men's hockey coach
Kevin Sneddon announced his recruiting class on Tuesday as eight new players join the program for the upcoming 2014-15 campaign. The Class of 2018 features five forwards and three defensemen, and it includes players with experience in junior leagues based in the United States, British Columbia, and Alberta.
The class includes
Travis Blanleil (Kelowna, British Columbia),
Rob Darrar (Monroe Township, N.J.),
Mitch Ferguson (Calgary, Alberta),
Kevin Irwin (Hinckley, Ohio),
Anthony Petruzzelli (Federal Way, Wash.),
Trey Phillips (Okotoks, Alberta),
Alexx Privitera (Old Tappan, N.J.), and
Jarrid Privitera (Old Tappan, N.J.).
"On behalf of our staff, I am pleased to announce and introduce the newest members of our hockey family," said Sneddon. "Assistant coaches
Kyle Wallack and
Kevin Patrick yielded another excellent class for our program. We are excited to welcome these student-athletes to our community here in Vermont."
Travis Blanleil
F • 5'7 • 152
Penticton (BCHL) Blanleil has spent the last four years playing in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), including the last two with the Penticton Vees. During the 2013-14 campaign, he served as an assistant captain and helped lead Penticton to the Interior Division title with 36 regular season wins. The Kelowna, British Columbia native skated in 52 games and registered eight goals, 21 assists, and 56 penalty minutes.
Sneddon: "Travis' game is based on speed and tenacity. He is a very difficult player to play against."
Rob DarrarF • 5'9 • 176Dubuque (USHL) Darrar played the 2013-14 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The forward posted 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 58 regular season games before notching five goals in seven playoff contests. A native of Monroe Township, New Jersey, Darrar also played two seasons for Gunnery Prep in Connecticut where he registered 63 points in 59 career games.
Sneddon: "Rob is developing at a rapid pace right now. He had a very strong finish to his season in Dubuque, and should find his way into our forward line up right away."
Mitch Ferguson
D • 6'0 • 170
Salmon Arm (BCHL) Ferguson skated in 48 games for the BCHL's Salmon Arm SilverBacks last season and posted four goals and 30 assists from the blueline. He was tied for third on the team in assists and led all Salmon Arm defensemen in overall scoring. Ferguson played 50 games between Salmon Arm and Penticton in 2012-13 and finished with 21 points on six goals and 15 assists.
Sneddon: "Mitch sees the ice very well, skates exceptionally well, and makes plays to help create offense."
Kevin Irwin
F • 6'0 • 174
Green Bay (USHL) Irwin comes to Vermont after spending his last two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL. Last year, the forward served as an assistant captain for the squad and registered 18 goals, 13 assists, and 86 penalty minutes in 57 games. He posted a 21-goal campaign in 2012-13 to rank fifth on the team and was second in penalty minutes with 90.
Sneddon: "Kevin brings size and power to our incoming forward group and he has proven he can score in the USHL. That could translate to scoring for us right away."
Anthony Petruzzelli
F • 5'10 • 179
Brooks (AJHL) Petruzzelli joins the Catamounts after three productive seasons with the Brooks Bandits in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). Two years ago, the forward tallied 36 goals and 42 assists in 76 games as he led Brooks to the 2013 RBC Cup as national champions of Canadian Junior A hockey. During the 2013-14 campaign, Petruzzelli led the team in goals (27) and points (53) as Brooks defended its South Division crown with 39 victories.
Sneddon: "Anthony had a fantastic career for the Brooks Bandits. He is a very well rounded player because he is reliable in all three zones."
Trey Phillips
D • 5'10 • 174
Canmore (AJHL) As a member of the Canmore Eagles, Phillips earned the AJHL MVP award last season and was recognized as the Top Defenceman in Canadian Junior A hockey. The Okotoks, Alberta native led the team and ranked seventh in the league in scoring with 65 points on 25 goals and 40 assists in 58 contests. The defenseman netted 12 power play goals and four game-winners for the Eagles, and he added seven points in nine playoff contests. Over his four full seasons with Canmore, Phillips posted 119 points in 200 career games.
Sneddon: "Trey had an outstanding season last year and was rewarded by being named Top Defenceman in Canada. Trey will be an impact player for our program and help us by creating offense from the back end."
Alexx PriviteraD • 5'11 • 194Dubuque (USHL) / Boston University (HEA) Privitera returns to Hockey East after playing at Boston University for two seasons from 2011-13. He skated in 48 games for the Terriers and tallied 20 assists and six goals, including a game-winner against Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse as a rookie in 2012. The Old Tappan, New Jersey native was named to the All-USHL Second Team last season as the captain of Dubuque, where he ranked second in scoring among USHL defensemen with 44 points in 57 games. Privitera will have two years of athletic eligibility at UVM.
Sneddon: "Alexx brings experience to our blueline and will certainly help our offensive game. He's a fierce competitor and someone who could help our power play from day one."
Jarrid PriviteraF • 5'7 • 161
Dubuque (USHL) The younger brother of Alexx, Jarrid also joins the Catamounts after skating with Dubuque as an assistant captain last year. The forward collected 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 58 regular season games before adding four points in the postseason. Privitera won the 2013 USHL Clark Cup as a member of the Saints and posted six points in 11 playoff contests during their title run.
Sneddon: "Jarrid has a lot speed, skill, and determination. He will be an exciting player to coach and for our fans to watch."
