2020-21 SUFFOLK MEN'S HOCKEY ROSTER
BOSTON – In the off season, Suffolk men's hockey head coach Chris Glionna brought in half a dozen skaters to the fold for the 2020-21 campaign.
"Our program has always strived to not over recruit," Glionna said. "The six new players will try to fill the void left by the graduating class."
Five of the new faces in blue-and-gold sweaters are true freshman, while Daniil Ocvhinnikov is a junior transfer from Plattsburgh State. Position wise, four are forwards, with a pair of blue liners.
"One of our real goals in last year's recruiting was to try to up our team speed," said Glionna. "All four forwards will instantly make us faster up front. More importantly, all of these guys have tremendous compete levels and that's something that's important to our program."
Glionna continued, "Sam (Rand) will also help our team speed as he is an elite skater on the back end. We also believe that Sam will help our power play this season. Olle (Akermark), meanwhile, will help us with another need in getting bigger and harder to play against on the defensive side of the puck. Spending last year playing Junior Hockey in Canada will help him tremendously as he transitions to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC)."
Suffolk's shift back to CCC play has been delayed after the league announced the cancelation of a conference-wide schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rams, however, have a chance for non-conference competition this winter.
OLLE AKERMARK | FR. | D | 6-3 | 200 | STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / FREDERICTON RED WINGS (MHL)
BEFORE SUFFOLK – FREDERICTON RED WINGS (MHL) – THE GOVERNOR'S ACDAEMY
Competed for the Fredericton Red Wings and captained the team in 2019 … Tabbed Pete Kelly Top Defenseman in 2019-20 … Four-year letterwinner at The Governor's Academy … 2018-19 Governor's Academy Coaches Award recipient … All-ISL Honorable Mention selection in 2018-19 … Achieved High Honors in 2018-19 … Honors student in 2017-18 … Three-year Special Olympics Volunteer … Served as Dorm Proctor in 2018-19.
JONATHAN COURCHESEN | FR. | F | 5-10 | 185 | SPRINGFIELD, VT. / WALPOLE EXPRESS (EHL)
BEFORE SUFFOLK – WALPOLE EXPRESS (EHL) – HOLDERNESS SCHOOL
Competed for Walpole Express of the EHL … Helped Walpole Express to a playoff berth in 2019-20 … Letterwinner at Holderness School … Played for the Worcester Junior Railers Hockey Club and captained the team in 2019-20 … Also lettered in golf and soccer at Holderness School … Belonged to Student Government in 2015.
RYAN HARRIGAN | FR. | F | 6-0 | 180 | SCITUATE, MASS. / NEW HAMPSHIRE AVALANCHE (EHL)
BEFORE SUFFOLK – NEW HAMPSHIRE AVALANCHE (EHL) – TILTON SCHOOL
Competed for the New Hampshire Avalanche of the EHL … Letterwinner at the Tilton School … Four-year letterwinner at Scituate and captained the team as a senior in 2017-18.
DANIIL OVCHINNIKOV | JR. | F | 6-1 | 185 | SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA / PLATTSBURG STATE / BOSTON JR. RANGERS (EHL)
BEFORE SUFFOLK – PLATTSBURG STATE (2018-20)
Began his collegiate career at Plattsburg State … Competed in 28 games over two seasons … Registered five points on one goal and four assists … SUNYAC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll.
BEFORE SUFFOLK – BOSTON JR. RANGERS (EHL)
Competed for the Boston Jr. Rangers of the EHL … Second-Team All-EHL North in 2017-18 … Scored 17 goals and added 41 assists for 58 points … Also played for the New Jersey Hitmen of the NCDC in 2017-18 … Logged 46 games of action for the St. Louis Jr. Blues in 2016-17 … Scored 19 goals and handed out 41 assists for 60 points … Helped the Tottenham Steam of the GMHL win the Russel Cup Championship in 2015-16.
SAMUEL RAND | FR. | D | 5-11 | 175 | MARSTONS MILLS, MASS. / BOSTON BANDITS (NCDC)
BEFORE SUFFOLK – BOSTON BANDITS (NCDC) – THE WINCHENDON SCHOOL
Competed for the Boston Bandits of the NCDC … Letterwinner at The Winchendon School … Also lettered in men's lacrosse and captained the team as a senior … Cum Laude graduate … Drafted in Quebec Major Junior League in 2016.
KYLE VALIQUETTE | FR. | F | 5-9 | 165 | MONROE, N.C. / KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS (NAHL)
BEFORE SUFFOLK – KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS – NEW HAMPSHIRE AVALANCHE – NORTH FIELD MOUNT HERNON
Played junior hockey for the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL … In 29 games played compiled seven points on two goals and five assists … Also competed for the New Hampshire Avalanche of the EHL … Registered nine points on five markers and four helpers in 14 games … Letterwinner at North Field Mount Hernon and captained the team as a senior in 2017-18 … North Field Hernon's Hockey Award recipient in 2017-18 … Dean's List student-athlete.