With youthful roster, consistent play will be key for Blue Devils

2016-17 UW-Stout Statistics

MENOMONIE (October 24, 2017) - Terry Watkins begins his 22nd year as the UW-Stout head hockey coach and he likes what he sees as he scans his 2017-18 roster.

"I am happy with where we are at this point in time," said Watkins, even as he acknowledges this is a young squad.

The Blue Devils return only two seniors, defenseman and team captain Jordan Stejskal and goalie Etienne Roy, who transferred to Stout last season. Stout has five juniors, but 12 sophomores and nine freshmen. Twelve on the roster are first year players for the Blue Devils.
 
"We lost some scoring (from last year)," Watkins said. "But we brought in some kids who can provide offense."
 
Returning up front are Conner Valesano, Adam Kresl, Jack Forbort, Alex Toscano, Austin Jackson, Gavin Smith and Dylan Zins.
 
Valesano is the team's leading returning scoring player, popping seven goals and added six assists. Kresl, an assistant captain, chipped in five goals and eight assists. Forbort had four goals and eight assists and Toscano six goals and four assists.
 
Tom Schmidt and Trey Gardner return up front after not playing last season.
 
New to the program are forwards Kyle Sylvester, Evan Butcher, Hunter Anderson, Jonathon Marzec, Lucas Carroll, Konnar Dechaine, Ryan Mezera and Riley Martin.
 
"We brought in some size and a lot more speed," Watkins said. "We certainly are much deeper."
 
Defensively, Stejskal and all-conference selections Joe Kleven and assistant captain Mathias Ahman return.
 
All three earned kudos from the coach.
 
"Stejskal is just steady, a hard worker," Watkins said. "He is consistent day-in and day-out. He is a great defensive defenseman. Every team needs that type of player."
 
Kleven has earned WIAC honorable mention honors his first two seasons. Kleven led all defensemen in scoring, finding the back of the net three times, and dishing off 10 assists.
 
"Offensively, Joe is very good," Watkins said. "He makes good decisions."
 
Ahman, who missed several games early last season due to injury, seemed to not miss a beat when he returned to the ice, finishing with five goals and four assists.
 
"Mathias is a great skater with great offensive skills," Watkins said. "He has a great shot and is very nifty on the ice."
 
Trent Olson and Connor Bump both saw significant minutes last season and Watkins expects that to continue again this season.
 
New to the Blue Devil defense is Connor Chambers, a transfer from UW-Stevens Point, and Alex Bowe and Jack Cernohouse, who were teammates in juniors in Alexandria, Minn.
 
In the goal, Tommi Ahlgren figured into 12 decisions last season, finishing with a save percentage of .901 and a team-best 3.04 goals against average (GAA), fourth-best in the WIAC.
 
Roy saw limited time in three games last year where he finished 1-1-0 as he acclimated to the Stout program.
 
Joining the Blue Devils in the goal is Evan Hauser, who transferred after spending time an NCAA Division I program at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.
 
"We are definitely better in the goal," Watkins said. "Tommi is now a sophomore, not a freshman. Etienne is the hardest working kid on earth. Each of our three goalies does something a little different. We are more of a veteran group and should be more consistent in goal."
 
Early in the season, Watkins is enjoying this team.
 
"We are really young and could be dressing between 12 to 15 first or second year players for some games," Watkins said. "We are cautiously optimistic for the season. So far, this has been a fun year on the ice."
 
The Blue Devils open the season on the road with a pair of fairly new programs. Stout will open at Trine University, Friday, Oct. 27, in Angola, Ind., in what will be the Thunders' first varsity contest. Stout will then be at Aurora University, Saturday, Oct. 28.
 
Stout has played Aurora twice during the Spartans' inaugural season in 2014-15, beating them twice at the Fanetti Community Center. The Blue Devils are scheduled to play Aurora again this season at the UW-Stevens Point Invitational Nov. 24.