The Clarkson University Men's Hockey team begins its 104th season this weekend with a trip to Buffalo, where the Golden Knights will face the Canisius Golden Griffins in their season opener at LECOM Harborcenter. Puck drop is set for Friday night as Clarkson looks to start the 2025–26 campaign on the right note.

This year marks Clarkson's 65th season in ECAC Hockey, and the Golden Knights enter with renewed focus under head coach Jean-François Houle, now in his second year behind the bench. Clarkson finished last season with a good run in the playoffs but falling short of making the NCAA Tourney and saw several key departures in the offseason, leaving opportunities for younger players and new faces to step into bigger roles. Despite the roster turnover, the Knights bring back a strong defensive core and will lean on their trademark structure and depth as they navigate a competitive ECAC slate.

The early portion of the schedule will provide an important test for Clarkson, with non-conference matchups serving as both a tune-up and a chance to build their NCAA Tournament résumé. For Houle and his staff, consistency will be a major point of emphasis this season—limiting scoring droughts and maximizing home-ice advantage in league play.  They will also look to draw from the experience of so many Major Junior players coming in as freshman but bringing with them a high level of experience.

Friday's opener offers an intriguing matchup. Clarkson and Canisius have met 11 times since 2008, with the Knights holding a 5-2-4 edge in the series. The most recent meeting came last October in Potsdam, when Clarkson edged the Griffins 2–1.

Canisius, meanwhile, will be eager to make a statement on home ice. The Golden Griffins are hosting both Clarkson and St. Lawrence this weekend, and they'll rely on their physical style of play to disrupt the Knights' pace. With the support of their home crowd at the Harborcenter, Canisius will look to pressure Clarkson early and turn the game into a battle along the boards.

This will be one of the largest incoming group of newcomers in the history of the program.  Below is a quick introduction to the players new to the Green and Gold:
#3 Noah Houle

Noah, a native of Montreal, Quebec, is a 6'1", 192 lb defenseman known for his strong two-way play and leadership on the ice. In the 2024–25 season, he played 32 games for the Lindenwood Lions, recording 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points. He averaged 17:59 minutes of ice time per game and contributed to the team's defensive efforts throughout the season 

Prior to his time at Lindenwood, Noah played for the Flin Flon Bombers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). During his tenure with the Bombers, he led all defensemen in points and assists, earning SJHL Defenseman of the Year.

#10 Rémi Gélinas

Remi Gelinas serves as a dynamic left-shooting forward hailing from Deux-Montagnes, Québec. He stands 5'11", weighs approximately 170 lb, and is renowned for his blend of offensive creativity and defensive diligence.

Gelinas began drawing attention during his tenure with the Hawkesbury Hawks in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). In the 2024–25 season, he surged to the top of the league scoring charts with 26 games played, 27 goals, and 23 assists—totaling an impressive 50 points (1.92 points per game). His standout performance earned him CCHL Player of the Month honors as well as Source for Sports Player of the Week recognition, after delivering a remarkable two-game stretch with 3 goals and 6 assists.  In December 2024, Gelinas earned a call-up to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL. Right away, he made an impact—posting 25 goals and 17 assists for 42 points across 32 regular-season games, and adding 8 points in 13 playoff appearances, helping to bolster the Huskies' offense at critical junctures, including March 1, 2025, Gelinas scored two power-play goals in a 6–2 win over Chicoutimi, highlighting his prowess in special-teams situations.

#19 Owen Van Steensel

Owen, a native of Ilderton, Ontario, is known for his leadership and offensive prowess. In the 2024–25 season, he played 36 games for the North Bay Battalion, recording 12 goals and 12 assists. Owen was traded to Barrie for a playoff push where he would fit right in earning 27 points in 31 games.  

Prior to the 2024–25 season, Owen had a standout 2023–24 campaign, tallying 41 goals and 45 assists for 86 points in 65 games. His exceptional performance earned him the captaincy of the Battalion.​

#21 Matthew Mayich
A poised, defensively-responsible blueliner, Mayich (Ottawa, Ont.) comes to Clarkson University following a steady four-year OHL career with the Ottawa 67's.

Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 6th round (No. 170 overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Mayich brings a pro-style game built on physicality, structure, and elite decision-making. He appeared in over 250 games in the OHL, scoring 106 points over his career with the 67's.  He tallied 42 points in 2024-25 (7G, 35A) and played a key shutdown role.  At 6-foot-3, he'll add size and experience to Clarkson's defensive corps and projects as a reliable, matchup-ready presence at the NCAA level.

#26 William Bishop

William Bishop joins Clarkson University as a freshman defenseman for the 2025-26 season, bringing with him strong experience from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). A native of Baie-d'Urfée, Québec, Bishop is a left-shot blueliner listed at 6'", 201 pounds, known for his mobility, puck-moving ability, and smart transitional play.

Bishop began his QMJHL career after being selected in the 6th round of the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Sherbrooke Phoenix. He played parts of two seasons with Sherbrooke before being traded to Acadie-Bathurst in 2023 and later to the Val-d'Or Foreurs in January 2024. Over the course of four seasons in the league, Bishop appeared in 185 regular-season games, recording 11 goals and 56 assists for 67 points. His best season came in 2024-25 with Val-d'Or, where he produced 43 points in 64 games and added two assists in the playoffs, establishing himself as a reliable two-way defender and one of his team's top contributors from the back end.

Known as a smooth skater with strong edgework and the vision to spark offense from his own zone, Bishop has been praised for his ability to quarterback a power play and move the puck efficiently under pressure. That skill set, combined with his QMJHL experience, makes him a valuable addition to Clarkson's defensive corps as he transitions to the NCAA level.

#28 Conyr Hellyer

Conyr, a native of Okotoks, Alberta, has had an impressive junior hockey career. He began his junior journey with the Okotoks Oilers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), where he played two seasons. During the 2022-23 season, he led the Oilers with 61 points (30G, 31A) in 48 regular season games and added six assists in 10 playoff games. His outstanding performance earned him the Oilers' Top Forward and MVP awards, as well as a spot on the South Division AJHL All-League Team. ​

In the 2023-24 season, Conyr joined the Penticton Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He served as an alternate captain and recorded 28 points (12G, 16A) in 44 regular season games. For the 2024-25 season, Conyr returned to the Vees as team captain. He tallied 30 points (9G, 19A) in 44 regular season games and was named to the BCHL All-Star Roster.

#30 Shane Soderwall! 

Shane, a native of Illinois, had an outstanding season with Curry College in NCAA Division III during the 2024–25 campaign. The 6'2 netminder played in 28 games and posted a remarkable 1.47 goals-against average with a .945 save percentage. His performance earned him the prestigious Sid Watson Award as the nation's top Division III player and a spot on the AHCA East First Team All-American list.​

One of Shane's most memorable moments came during the NCAA Division III quarterfinals, where he made 98 saves in a four-overtime thriller against Hobart, tying an NCAA record for saves in a game. His exceptional play was instrumental in Curry's historic run to the Frozen Four.​

#35 Keenan Rancier

Keenan Rancier joins the Knights following a successful collegiate run at Minnesota State & UVM and a strong junior hockey career in Western Canada. A 6'2" left-catching goaltender from Victoria, British Columbia, Rancier is known for his composure in the crease, technical skill, and ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations.

Rancier developed in the BCHL with the Prince George Spruce Kings before establishing himself as a top starter in the SJHL with the Estevan Bruins. During the 2019–20 season in Estevan, he led the league with 48 appearances and was named the team's Playoff MVP, posting a remarkable .955 save percentage and 1.69 goals-against average in the postseason. He committed to Minnesota State and steadily grew into a dependable collegiate netminder. After making his debut in 2021–22, he became a regular starter as a sophomore, recording 19 wins with a 1.86 GAA and .914 save percentage. His junior season was highlighted by a CCHA Goaltender of the Week honor following a dominant performance against Arizona State, where he stopped 56 of 57 shots across a weekend series.  In April 2024, Rancier transferred to the University of Vermont to continue his collegiate career in Hockey East. He appeared in 14 games during the 2024–25 season, bringing experience, leadership, and a steady presence in goal to the Catamounts.

#37 Maël St-Denis

Maël St-Denis is a left-shooting center hailing from Nominingue, Québec, standing at 6'1", 196 lb. A QMJHL standout with the Rimouski Océanic, he developed into a dynamic two-way pivot known for his skating, faceoff prowess, and playmaking vision. 

Drafted into the QMJHL in 2021, St-Denis has steadily elevated his game over three seasons with Rimouski. In his 2023–24 campaign, he tallied 17 goals and 18 assists in 42 games (35 points, 0.83 PPG), up from 9 goals and 15 assists in 46 games in the 2022–23 season; his rookie 2021–22 season produced 5 goals and 8 assists across 61 games.

#60 Nick Avakyan

Nick Avakyan is a 6'1", 185-lb left-catching goaltender from Glendale, California, who brings a blend of junior experience and proven consistency to Clarkson's crease. He arrives on campus following a strong season in the NAHL with the Johnstown Tomahawks, and his journey through the WHL and other junior circuits has established him as a reliable and technically sound netminder.

During the 2024–25 season with the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL), Avakyan appeared in 25 games, recording 13 wins, a .925 save percentage, and a 2.41 goals-against average—numbers that highlight his steady presence between the pipes. His performance helped Johnstown secure a playoff berth.

Before his NAHL tenure, Avakyan played nearly 100 games in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans and Portland Winterhawks, as well as short stints in the AJHL and USHL—adding diverse junior experience to his resume.

#72 Bryce Sookro

Bryce, a native of Nelson, British Columbia, has been a standout player for the Cranbrook Bucks in the BCHL. In the 2024-25 season, he led all BCHL defensemen with 56 points in 53 games, showcasing his offensive prowess from the blue line. His exceptional performance earned him a spot in the BCHL All-Star Weekend.

Serving as the Bucks' captain, Bryce has been a key leader both on and off the ice. His leadership and skills have been instrumental in the team's success, and he is eager to bring his talents to Clarkson University in the upcoming season.​

#81 Jace Letourneau

Jace, a native of Arnprior, Ontario, has been a dominant force in junior hockey. Standing at 6'5", his imposing presence on the ice is matched by his exceptional skill.​

In the 2023–24 season, Jace led the Renfrew Wolves with 85 points, including 40 goals and 45 assists, in 55 games. His performance earned him the CCHL Most Valuable Player award, as well as the league's Scoring and Goal Scoring titles .​

During the 2024–25 season, Jace continued to showcase his abilities in the BCHL suiting up for the Brooks Bandits, recording 34 points (11G, 23A) in 41 regular season games. 

#86  Adrian Misaljevic

Adrian has been a standout player with the Kitchener Rangers this season, leading the team in both goals (31) and points (69) over 67 games. His impressive performance earned him a spot in the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game. ​

A Woodbridge, Ontario native, Adrian joined the Rangers as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has since recorded 147 points (61G, 86A) over four seasons. He'll be joining fellow overager Jackson Parsons on the Golden Knights next season. ​

#91 Mikael Huchette

Mikael, a native of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, is a 6'3", 196 lb center known for his size, skill, and hockey IQ. In the 2024–25 season, he played 26 games for the Concordia University Stingers in U SPORTS, recording 9 goals and 19 assists for 28 points.

Before joining Concordia, Mikael had a notable junior career. He was drafted by the Quebec Remparts in the 2019 QMJHL Entry Draft and played for them during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons. In December 2023, he was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs, where he contributed 11 goals and 29 assists in 40 games.

#92 Justin Côté

Justin, a native of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, has been a standout player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In the 2024–25 season, he played 53 games for the Quebec Remparts, recording 32 goals and 27 assists for 59 points. His leadership and performance on the ice earned him the captaincy of the Remparts.​

Over his five-year QMJHL career, Justin accumulated 233 points (122 goals, 111 assists) in 251 games, showcasing his consistent offensive abilities. He was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team in 2021, and was a QMJHL league champion in 2023-24.