Men's Ice Hockey | September 12, 2018

The Western Michigan hockey team and head coach Andy Murray welcome eight freshmen for the upcoming 2018-19 season.

The class features five forwards and three defensemen from six different states and provinces.

Meet the 2018-19 Freshman Class

#3 Michael Joyaux | D | 5'10, 181 lbs | Right Shot | Bloomingdale, Ill./Youngstown Phantoms, USHL
Joyaux comes to Western Michigan after playing three seasons in the United States Hockey League, racking up 79 points in 237 career games played. Most recently he helped the Youngstown Phantoms to a trip to the Clark Cup Finals. His most recent season with the Phantoms saw him produce a career-best 23 points on one goal and 22 assists.

Coach Murray on Joyaux - "Michael is a very mature young man. He's a great skater and has a great ability to move the puck."

#11 Rhett Kingston | F | 6'1, 195 lbs | Left Shot | Black Diamond, Alberta/Salmon Arm Silverbacks, BCHL
Kingston spent two seasons in the BCHL, starting with Cowichan Valley before heading to Salmon Arm. He comes to WMU off a career year, totaling 50 points on 24 goals and 26 assists. In 109 career games in the BCHL he racked up 80 points on 40 goals and 40 assists.

Coach Murray on Kingston – "Rhett is an explosive skater and has a tenacious work ethic. He's already one of our best conditioned athletes."

#12 Cole Gallant | F | 5'10, 190 lbs | Right Shot | Dover, Fla./Omaha Lancers, USHL
Gallant played in 170 games in the USHL, finishing his career with the Omaha Lancers. He comes off a career-best season, racking up 52 points on 15 goals and 37 assists in 59 games. Gallant also captained the 2017-18 Lancers team.

Coach Murray On Gallant – "Cole was a leader on his team in Omaha. He's miserable to play against and also has a scoring touch."

#13 Drew Worrad | F | 6'2, 186 lbs | Right Shot | Birr, Ontario/Steinbach Pistons, MJHL
Worrad joins Western Michigan after a stellar season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He racked up 75 points on 26 goals and 49 assists in just 47 games. His 1.60 points per game led the league and he was later named the MJHL Playoff MVP after leading Steinbach to a Turnbull Cup. His playoff run featured six goals and 12 assists in 16 games. Worrad also played in 101 career games in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he put up 40 goals and 61 assists over two seasons.

Coach Murray on Worrad – "Drew has great vision on the ice. He's very mature in his approach to the game."

#15 Paul Cotter | F | 6'1, 194 lbs | Left Shot | Canton, Mich./Lincoln Stars, USHL
Cotter had a stellar season with Lincoln, tallying 39 points on 18 goals and 21 assists in 51 games in just his first season in the USHL. Cotter was selected 115th overall in the fourth round by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 NHL Draft. He also participated in the USA World Juniors Summer Showcase, appearing in five games and scoring two goals and an assist.

Coach Murray on Cotter – "Paul possesses strength and power with a NHL shot. He's coming off a great season with Lincoln and a great USA World Juniors camp."

#20 Jamie Rome | F | 6'2, 211 lbs | Cochrane, Alberta, Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL
Rome was the second-leading scorer in the BCHL last season, racking up 70 points on 22 goals and 48 assists in the regular season. Through his two seasons with Victoria he racked up 113 points in 111 games.

Coach Murray on Rome – "Jamie is our best conditioned freshman. He has shown the ability to score and can play a heavy game."

#24 Mattias Samuelsson | D | 6'4, 221 lbs | Left Shot | Voorhees, N.J., USNTDP U-18
Samuelsson is the son of long-time NHLer Kjell and younger brother of current Bronco Lukas Samuelsson. Mattias became the second-highest draft pick in WMU Hockey history when he was selected 32nd overall with the first pick of the second round by the Buffalo Sabres in 2018. Samuelsson captained the USA U-18 team at the 2018 World Championships, helping them to a silver medal. With the USNTDP program and international tournaments he played in a combined 88 games, scoring 16 goals and adding 31 assists for 47 points.

Coach Murray on Samuelsson – "Mattias is a smothering defenseman and has shown a great ability to move the puck."

#25 Jared Kucharek | D | 6'4, 203 lbs | Left Shot | Madison Capitols, USHL
Kucharek comes to Western Michigan after just one season in the USHL, primarily with Madison. He played in 45 games total, scoring five goals and adding 17 assists. Kucharek was also 12 on the season.

Coach Murray on Kucharek – "Jared is an incredible athlete. He has a lot of physical tools that will help him succeed at Western Michigan."

The Western Michigan hockey team opens the 2018-19 season with an exhibition game against Lethbridge University on Saturday, Oct.6. Season tickets, pick six plans and single game tickets are all on sale now by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX and by visiting www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.