Princeton University’s men’s ice hockey program is gearing up for a promising season as it welcomes a fresh cohort of six freshman players.
A Deep Dive into the New Roster
Each of the newcomers brings a distinct profile, from offensive firepower to defensive steadiness, and the coaching staff believes their combined talent could finally push the Tigers to an ECAC breakthrough.
Among them, defenseman Gudelj has already shown signs of growth, improving his assist total by ten points while cutting penalty minutes by twenty compared to the previous season. His performance earned him an invitation to the St. Louis Blues Rookie Camp, where he signed an Amateur Tryout in 2024.
Forward Kingwell arrives from the Ontario Hockey League, where he posted 33 points (10 goals and 23 assists) in 60 games. He capped his junior career by capturing the 2024 Bogart Cup with the CCHL’s Navan Grads, a testament to his clutch performances.
Lavoie, a forward who helped the Saanich Predators win the 2024 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League Championship, brings a physical edge, having logged 91 penalty minutes across 67 WHL games. His blend of toughness and skill adds depth to the forward lines.
Lyons, a defenseman, posted a +13 rating over 59 games and ranked second on the Musketeers in that metric, highlighting his solid defensive contributions. He is expected to anchor the third pairing initially, with the possibility of moving up during the postseason.
Mittelsteadt, another defenseman, accumulated 85 penalty minutes in 61 games, the highest on his team, indicating a willingness to protect his teammates and disrupt opponents.
Monahan, who played a key role on Victoria’s third pairing and was rotated into the top duo during the postseason, rounds out the group with versatile experience at the junior level.
The coaching staff is optimistic that the blend of skill, resilience, and competitive experience will translate into stronger performances on the ice, potentially reshaping the team’s dynamics and boosting its chances in the ECAC conference.