2023–24 Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey season was the 68th season of play for the program, the 51st at the Division I level and the 40th in Hockey East. The Catamounts represented the University of Vermont, played their home games at the Gutterson Fieldhouse and were coached by Steve Wiedler in his 1st season.

2023–24 Vermont Catamounts
men's ice hockey season
Conference9th Hockey East
Home iceGutterson Fieldhouse
Rankings
USCHONR
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall13–19–3
Conference7–14–3
Home8–8–0
Road5–11–3
Coaches and captains
Head coachSteve Wiedler
Assistant coachesScott Moser
Brendan Bradley
Shane Madolora
Captain(s)Will Zapernick
Alternate captain(s)Jérémie Bucheler
Zach Dubinsky
Joel Määttä
Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey seasons
« 2022–23 2024–25 »

Season

During the summer, Todd Woodcroft was fired after an internal investigation by the college determine that the coach had exchanged inappropriate text messages with a student.[1] Because the investigation had taken four months, by the time it concluded there was relatively little time to conduct a hiring search before this season. The Athletic department chose simply to promote Steve Wiedler to interim head coach and keep the rest of the staff in place.

With off ice issues settled for the moment, the team set about fixing their biggest problem; the lack of offense. The '23 Catamounts were one of the worst scoring team in the country, averaging less than 2 goals per game for the season. With that in mind it was perhaps a good thing that there were so many new faces for the program in '24. The team had trouble out of the gate with the new roster and coach struggling to find consistency. Vermont, too, was hampered by the vast strides for the rest of the conference as Hockey East was the top ranked league in college hockey that season.[2] However, despite the difficulties, the Catamounts were able to take a step forward and climb out of the cellar.

The offense saw a slight improvement as the year went on with Jens Richards making huge strides in his game. The forward went from 4 points as a freshman to leading the team in his sophomore season. While the overall numbers weren't outstanding, the more-than 5-fold improvement was not something to be discounted. In goal, Gabe Carriere held the fort and kept Vermont in the game on most nights. Even when facing nationally ranked teams, the Catamounts proved to be a tough team to beat and they managed to win their fair share of games. By the end of the season, Vermont was 9th in the standings but, with how difficult their schedule had been, they were in the middle of the PairWise rankings. While the dearth of offensives punch cost them in the playoffs, the team had progressed and looked better than they had in years.

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Oskar AutioGoaltender FinlandGraduation (signed with Allen Americans)
Jacques BouquotForward United StatesGraduate transfer to Penn State
Finn EvansForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Indy Fuel)
Eric GotzDefenseman United StatesGraduation (signed with Krefeld Pinguine)
Cole HudsonGoaltender CanadaTransferred to American International
Joe LeahyDefenseman CanadaGraduation (signed with Greenville Swamp Rabbits)
William LemayForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Trois-Rivières Lions)
Carter LongDefenseman United StatesGraduation (signed with Savannah Ghost Pirates)
Luke MountainForward United StatesTransferred to Augsburg
Porter SchachleDefenseman CanadaTransferred to Alaska Anchorage
Robbie StuckerDefenseman United StatesGraduation (signed with South Carolina Stingrays)
Jesper TarkiainenForward FinlandLeft program (retired)

Recruiting

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Eli BarnettDefenseman Canada20Ottawa, ON; selected 195th overall in 2022
Jérémie BuchelerDefenseman Canada23Montreal, QC; graduate transfer from Northeastern
Matt CatoForward Canada20Whitby, ON
Mateo DixonForward Canada21Toronto, ON
Zach DubinskyForward United States23Highland Park, IL; graduate transfer from Michigan State
Mario GaspariniDefenseman United States20Lakeville, MN
Connor MackenzieGoaltender Canada21Toronto, ON
Jack MalinskiDefenseman United States21Lakeville, MN
Axel MangboGoaltender Sweden20Höganäs, SWE
Ryan MiottoForward Canada24Thorold, ON; graduate transfer from Canisius
Duncan RamsayDefenseman Canada19Halifax, NS
Daniel SambucoForward United States20Springfield, PA
Chris ThéodoreForward Canada25Beaconsfield, QC; graduate transfer from Union

Roster

As of July 18, 2023.[3]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Connor MacKenzie Freshman G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2002-05-10 Toronto, Ontario Grande Prairie (AJHL)
2 Eli Barnett Freshman D 6' 6" (1.98 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 2003-09-16 Ottawa, Ontario Victoria (BCHL) SJS, 195th overall 2022
4 Jérémie Bucheler (A) Graduate D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2000-03-31 Saint-Laurent, Quebec Northeastern (HEA)
7 Chris Théodore Graduate F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1997-10-15 Beaconsfield, Quebec Union (ECAC)
9 Joel Määttä (A) Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 2002-07-06 Helsinki, Finland Sioux City (USHL) EDM, 222nd overall 2022
10 Mario Gasparini Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-02-28 Lakeville, Minnesota Wenatchee (BCHL)
11 Mateo Dixon Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-08-19 Toronto, Ontario Coquitlam (BCHL)
12 Andrei Buyalsky Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-08-18 Karaganda, Kazakhstan Dubuque (USHL) COL, 92nd overall 2021
13 Timofei Spitserov Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2002-03-26 Saint Petersburg, Russia Culver (Midget AAA) SJS, 210th overall 2020
14 Dawson Good Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-04-17 Abbotsford, British Columbia Chilliwack (BCHL)
15 Luca Münzenberger Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-11-24 Düsseldorf, Germany Kölner U20 (DNL) EDM, 90th overall 2021
16 Will Zapernick (C) Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-11-16 Edmonton, Alberta Sherwood Park (AJHL)
17 Matt Cato Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2003-09-15 Whitby, Ontario Trenton (OJHL)
18 Massimo Lombardi Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-05-18 Beaconsfield, Quebec Cowichan Valley (BCHL)
19 Simon Jellúš Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 2001-01-18 Ilava, Slovakia Karlskrona J20 (J20 Nationell)
20 Xavier Henry Sophomore D 6' 5" (1.96 m) 216 lb (98 kg) 2001-03-20 Scarborough, Ontario Chilliwack (BCHL)
21 Daniel Sambuco Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-06-10 Springfield, Pennsylvania Lincoln (USHL)
22 Isak Walther Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2001-08-02 Södertälje, Sweden Södertälje J20 (J20 Nationell) NSH, 179th overall 2019
23 Ryan Miotto Graduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-07-11 Thorold, Ontario Canisius (AHA)
24 Duncan Ramsay Freshman D 6' 5" (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2004-02-08 Halifax, Nova Scotia Chilliwack (BCHL)
25 Jack Malinski Freshman D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-06-23 Lakeville, Minnesota Austin (NAHL)
26 Thomas Sinclair Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2002-12-26 Toronto, Ontario Fargo (USHL)
28 Lucas Jones Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-02-24 Calgary, Alberta Fort McMurray (AJHL)
29 Jens Richards Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2002-12-14 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Austin (NAHL)
32 Zach Dubinsky (A) Senior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-03-14 Highland Park, Illinois Michigan State (Big Ten)
33 Philip Törnqvist Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2001-08-24 Gothenburg, Sweden Wichita Falls (NAHL)
35 Gabe Carriere Senior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-11-05 Ottawa, Ontario Waterloo (USHL)
39 Ralfs Bergmanis Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-03-13 Liepāja, Latvia Sioux City (USHL)
50 Axel Mangbo Sophomore G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2003-04-15 Höganäs, Sweden Sioux City (USHL)

Standings

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#2 Boston College †*242031101611055641346118389
#3 Boston University2418421115710453402810216397
#10 Maine241491010447667372312211994
#16 Providence241194312376658351813410083
#13 Massachusetts24121024203657623720143108105
#20 New Hampshire2412111100366956362015110690
Northeastern249141130306571361716311397
Connecticut249141111294977361519290105
Vermont247143103265281351319387106
Merrimack246171011216285351321198114
Massachusetts Lowell24417314018397836824472113
Championship: March 23, 2024
† indicates regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion (Lamoriello Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO Division I Men's Poll

Schedule and results

DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Exhibition
October 7 2:00 pm McGill* Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, Vermont (Exhibition)ESPN+ Carriere W 4–0  2,896
Regular Season
October 13 7:00 pm at St. Lawrence* Appleton ArenaCanton, New YorkESPN+ Carriere W 3–1  1,076 1–0–0
October 14 7:00 pm at Clarkson* Cheel ArenaPotsdam, New YorkESPN+ Carriere L 2–3  2,459 1–1–0
October 27 7:00 pm at #7 Providence Schneider ArenaProvidence, Rhode IslandESPN+ Carriere L 1–4  2,074 1–2–0 (0–1–0)
October 28 7:00 pm at #7 Providence Schneider ArenaProvidence, Rhode IslandESPN+ Carriere T 2–2 SOW 1,727 1–2–1 (0–1–1)
November 3 7:00 pm Connecticut Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 4–1  2,796 2–2–1 (1–1–1)
November 4 6:00 pm Connecticut Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 2–5  3,235 2–3–1 (1–2–1)
November 10 7:00 pm at #14 Massachusetts Mullins CenterAmherst, MassachusettsESPN+ Carriere L 1–4  4,272 2–4–1 (1–3–1)
November 11 6:00 pm at #14 Massachusetts Mullins CenterAmherst, MassachusettsESPN+ Carriere W 6–2  4,461 3–4–1 (2–3–1)
November 18 7:00 pm at American International* MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Carriere L 1–2  604 3–5–1
December 1 7:00 pm #10 Massachusetts Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 2–1 OT 2,748 4–5–1 (3–3–1)
December 3 4:00 pm Massachusetts Lowell Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 1–2  2,461 4–6–1 (3–4–1)
December 8 7:00 pm Union* Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 4–5  2,061 4–7–1
December 9 7:00 pm Union* Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 4–1  2,122 5–7–1
December 16 7:00 pm at Long Island* Northwell Health Ice CenterEast Meadow, New YorkESPN+ Carriere W 3–2  700 6–7–1
December 17 7:15 pm at Long Island* Northwell Health Ice CenterEast Meadow, New YorkESPN+ Carriere W 5–1  350 7–7–1
December 29 7:00 pm St. Thomas* Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 5–1  2,595 8–7–1
December 30 5:00 pm St. Thomas* Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 4–1  2,652 9–7–1
January 6 6:00 pm at Dartmouth* Thompson ArenaHanover, New HampshireESPN+ Carriere L 3–4  3,335 9–8–1
January 12 7:00 pm at Northeastern Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Carriere W 5–4  2,489 10–8–1 (4–4–1)
January 13 7:30 pm at Northeastern Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Carriere L 1–3  3,121 10–9–1 (4–5–1)
January 19 7:00 pm #1 Boston University Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 1–5  3,640 10–10–1 (4–6–1)
January 20 7:00 pm #1 Boston University Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 2–5  3,486 10–11–1 (4–7–1)
January 26 7:00 pm #17 New Hampshire Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 2–1  2,604 11–11–1 (5–7–1)
January 27 7:00 pm #17 New Hampshire Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 3–6  3,150 11–12–1 (5–8–1)
February 9 7:15 pm at Massachusetts Lowell Tsongas CenterLowell, MassachusettsESPN+ Carriere T 1–1 SOW 5,579 11–12–2 (5–8–2)
February 10 7:15 pm at Massachusetts Lowell Tsongas CenterLowell, MassachusettsESPN+ Carriere T 3–3 SOW 4,002 11–12–3 (5–8–3)
February 16 7:00 pm Merrimack Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 2–5  2,270 11–13–3 (5–9–3)
February 17 7:30 pm Merrimack Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 4–1  2,565 12–13–3 (6–9–3)
February 23 7:00 pm at #1 Boston College Conte ForumChestnut Hill, MassachusettsESPN+, NESN Carriere L 1–7  7,246 12–14–3 (6–10–3)
February 24 5:00 pm at #1 Boston College Conte ForumChestnut Hill, MassachusettsESPN+ Carriere L 2–4  6,559 12–15–3 (6–11–3)
March 1 7:00 pm #9 Maine Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere W 2–1  3,218 13–15–3 (7–11–3)
March 2 7:30 pm #9 Maine Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, VermontESPN+ Carriere L 2–3  3,177 13–16–3 (7–12–3)
March 7 7:00 pm at Connecticut Toscano Family Ice ForumStorrs, ConnecticutESPN+ Carriere L 1–5  2,691 13–17–3 (7–13–3)
March 9 4:00 pm at #2 Boston University Agganis ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Mangbo L 1–6  5,597 13–18–3 (7–14–3)
Hockey East Tournament
March 13 7:00 pm at Connecticut* Toscano Family Ice ForumStorrs, Connecticut (Opening Round)ESPN+ Carriere L 1–4  2,021 13–19–3
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[4]

Scoring statistics

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Jens RichardsF3210112110
Jérémie BuchelerD336121827
Ryan MiottoF35981718
Timofey SpitserovRW3577146
Chris ThéodoreLW3086140
Isak WaltherRW2457126
Will ZapernickC/RW35391214
Massimo LombardiC32571217
Ralfs BergmanisD322101260
Andrei BuyalskyC2538118
Zach DubinskyF30291120
Simon JellúšC/LW3064102
Joel MäättäC2645935
Thomas SinclairC325498
Nick AhernLW1415610
Philip TörnqvistD2924612
Jack MalinskiD2624616
Eli BarnettD2405516
Mateo DixonC182242
Luca MünzenbergerD3212351
Dawson GoodF91232
Xavier HenryD2211222
Gabe CarriereG340220
Daniel SambucoF1310112
Duncan RamsayD260116
Mario GaspariniD111014
Lucas JonesD600017
Axel MangboG30000
Total86133219401

[5]

Goaltending statistics

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Gabe Carriere342017:2513183938970.9062.77
Axel Mangbo383:550107420.8575.00
Empty Net-16:10---6----
Total352117:30131931069390.8993.00

Rankings

Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 and 25.[6]
Note: USA Today did not release a poll in week 12.

References

  1. "UVM Hockey Coach Todd Woodcroft Fired amid Alleged 'Inappropriate' Texts with Student". Bleacher Report. July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  2. "Men's Division I PairWise Rankings". Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  3. "2022–23 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". UVM Athletics. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  4. "2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Schedule". Vermont Catamounts. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  5. "Univ. of Vermont 2023-2024 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  6. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
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