2023–24 Northeastern Huskies men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 Northeastern Huskies Men's ice hockey season was the 92nd season of play for the program and 40th in Hockey East. The Huskies represented Northeastern University in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at Matthews Arena and were coached by Jerry Keefe in his 3rd season.

2023–24 Northeastern Huskies
men's ice hockey season
Beanpot, Champion
Conference7th Hockey East
Home iceMatthews Arena
Rankings
USCHONR
USA HockeyNR
Record
Overall17–16–3
Conference9–14–1
Home8–7–1
Road6–8–2
Neutral3–1–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachJerry Keefe
Assistant coachesMike Levine
Jason Guerriero
Brian Mahoney-Wilson
CaptainJustin Hryckowian
Alternate captain(s)Matt DeMelis
Gunnarwolfe Fontaine
Northeastern Huskies men's ice hockey seasons
« 2022–23 2024–25 »

Season

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Team photo following Northeastern's victory in the 2024 men's Beanpot tournament

Northeastern had a rather sizable hurdle to overcome from the start of the season. Not only was the team having to contend with half of last year's roster departing but they were also having to replace the two-time national goaltender of the year, Devon Levi in goal. Freshman Cameron Whitehead stepped in between the pipes and looked good against weak opposition in the first few weeks, however, once the team began their conference schedule everything seemed to fall apart. Whitehead had a little trouble getting up to speed with the college game and though he had a couple of decent performances, he went winless over a 4-week stretch. Equally at fault was the almost complete lack of scoring that afflicted the Huskies. Team captain Justin Hryckowian missed over a month after getting hurt in the first game of the season while his brother Dylan along with Matt DeMelis and Jack Williams were in and out of the lineup with bumps and bruises. The rest of the offense didn't step up and cover for their absent teammates and Northeastern suffered as a result. By Thanksgiving, the team had lost seven games in a row, the worst start to the conference schedule in the history of the program.[1]

The team took a slight break during the holiday weekend and travelled west to face Rensselaer. The first game was a pedestrian draw but the second looked to be a turning point of the season. Northeastern scored 9 goals in the first two periods and steamrolled the Engineers. Just as importantly, the Huskies got contributions from up and down the lineup with nine players recording at least 2 points in the match. The following week the team barely resembled the same group that had lost seven in a row when they took on #1 Boston College. After building a 3-goal lead in the first, the Huskies got into power play trouble and the match was tied entering the third. Cam Lund, who had been very quiet during the losing streak, completed a hat-trick in the final frame to lead the Huskies to a massive upset to give Northeastern its first conference win of the year.

After returning from the winter break, Whitehead went through a rough patch and Northeastern went winless in four. However, when it appeared that the season might be slipping back into the abyss, the offense stepped up and bailed out their netminder. In late January, the team scored at least 4 goals in each match over a four-game stretch and won every contest. The hot streak led the Huskies right into the Beanpot, where they were set to defend their championship. Northeastern was fortunate by being set against Harvard in the first game but still had a tough time beating a down Crimson squad. Despite widely outshooting the Ivy Leaguers, Northeastern needed a late comeback to force overtime. Their efforts were rewarded, however, when Gunnarwolfe Fontaine scored just 33 seconds into the extra frame. The championship match pitted the Huskies against Boston University but Northeastern didn't show any fear towards the #3 team. The Terriers got into the lead three separate times in the match but the Huskies matched every goal with one of their own. Despite a vast disparity in shots (17–36) Northeastern hung in the game and forced overtime. BU was in total control for seemingly the entire extra session but, with just seconds to play, a mistake in the BU end left Fontaine wide open in the left circle and the Huskies' only shot in overtime went in and Northeastern held on to its crown.[2]

The win streak put Northeastern above .500 for the first time in months and gave the team an outside chance to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, the Huskies plait each of the next three weekends and lost any chance of becoming a bubble team. When the conference tournament began, a Hockey East championship was Northeastern's only hope of making the national tournament. They played like it in their first game and shut down Merrimack 4–0 thanks to three-point nights from Justin and Dylan Hryckowian. In the semifinal, the Huskies met Boston University for the fourth time and the Terriers were looking for revenge. After a scoreless first period, BU took a 3-goal lead in the second to put Northeastern's season on the edge of a cliff. Justin Hryckowian scored two goals to spur a comeback from the Huskies but none of his teammates could follow suit. A late goal from BU ended the attempt and Northeastern would have to wait for another year.

Departures

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Player Position Nationality Cause
Jérémie BuchelerDefenseman CanadaGraduate transfer to Vermont
Sam ColangeloForward United StatesTransferred to Western Michigan
James DavenportDefenseman United StatesLeft program (retired)
Cam GaudetteDefenseman United StatesTransferred to Stonehill
Jack HughesForward United StatesTransferred to Boston University
Riley HughesForward United StatesGraduate transfer to Ohio State
Devon LeviGoaltender CanadaSigned professional contract (Buffalo Sabres)
Aidan McDonoughForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Vancouver Canucks)
Chase McInnisForward United StatesLeft program (retired)
Alex MellaForward United StatesGraduation (retired)
Jakov NovakForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Allen Americans)
Tyler SpottDefenseman CanadaGraduate transfer to Sacred Heart
Jayden StrubleDefenseman United StatesGraduation (signed with Montreal Canadiens)

Recruiting

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Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Alex CampbellForward United States18Châteauguay, QC; transfer from Clarkson; selected 65th overall in 2019
Patrick DawsonDefenseman United States24Medway, MA; graduate transfer from Sacred Heart
Brett EdwardsForward Canada24Grande Prairie, AB; graduate transfer from Denver
Michael FisherDefenseman United States19Westborough, MA; selected 76th overall in 2022
Nolan HayesDefenseman United States21Boston, MA
Connor HopkinsGoaltender United States23Malden, MA; graduate transfer from Yale
Dylan HryckowianForward Canada19L'Île-Bizard, QC
Andy MooreForward United States21Cumberland, ME
Billy NorcrossForward United States20Lynn, MA
Eli SebastianForward United States19Burlington, ON
Matt StaudacherDefenseman United States23Grand Blanc, MI; graduate transfer from Minnesota
Pito WaltonDefenseman United States23Peapack, NJ; graduate transfer from Princeton
Cameron WhiteheadGoaltender United States20Orleans, ON; selected 128th overall in 2022

Roster

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As of September 26, 2023.[3]

No. Nat. Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 United States Connor Hopkins Graduate G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-03-09 Malden, Massachusetts Yale (ECAC)
3 United States Nolan Hayes Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2002-08-14 Boston, Massachusetts West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
4 United States Pito Walton Graduate D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2000-03-17 Peapack, New Jersey Princeton (ECAC)
5 United States Hunter McDonald Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 2002-05-11 Fairport, New York Chicago Steel (USHL) PHI, 165th overall 2022
7 United States Michael Outzen Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-07-29 Lone Tree, Colorado New Jersey Titans (NAHL)
8 United States Jackson Dorrington Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2004-04-13 North Reading, Massachusetts Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) VAN, 176th overall 2022
9 Canada Matt Choupani Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-01-02 Baie-D'Urfé, Quebec Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
10 United States Patrick Dawson Graduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1999-01-14 Medway, Massachusetts Sacred Heart (AHA)
11 United States Gunnarwolfe Fontaine (A) Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-09-16 East Greenwich, Rhode Island Chicago Steel (USHL) NSH, 202nd overall 2020
12 United States Cameron Lund Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2004-06-07 Bridgewater, Massachusetts Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) SJS, 34th overall 2022
13 Canada Dylan Hryckowian Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2004-05-19 L'Île-Bizard, Quebec Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
14 United States Liam Walsh Graduate F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-07-14 Bridgeville, Pennsylvania Merrimack (HEA)
15 United States Jack Williams Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-03-02 Biddeford, Maine Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
16 United States Michael Fisher Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2004-05-02 Westborough, Massachusetts Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) SJS, 76th overall 2022
17 United States Braden Doyle Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 2001-08-24 Lynnfield, Massachusetts Penticton Vees (BCHL) LAK, 157th overall 2019
18 United States Andy Moore Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-01-21 Cumberland, Maine Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
19 United States Billy Norcross Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2003-03-16 Lynn, Massachusetts Penticton (BCHL)
20 Canada Brett Edwards Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1998-09-10 Grande Prairie, Alberta Denver (NCHC)
21 United States Matt DeMelis (A) Graduate F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-06-02 Hingham, Massachusetts Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
22 United States Vinny Borgesi Sophomore D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-03-02 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tri-City Storm (USHL)
23 Canada Eli Sebastian Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2004-05-19 Burlington, Ontario Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
24 United States Kyle Furey Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-02-05 Marshfield, Massachusetts Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL)
25 United States Matt Staudacher Graduate D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-02-07 Fenton, Michigan Minnesota (Big Ten)
27 Canada Alex Campbell Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2001-02-27 Châteauguay, Quebec Clarkson (ECAC) NSH, 65th overall 2019
28 United States Anthony Messuri Sophomore F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-07-24 Arlington, Massachusetts Utica Jr. Comets (NCDC)
29 Canada Justin Hryckowian (C) Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-02-23 L'Île-Bizard, Quebec Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
33 United States Harrison Chesney Sophomore G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-12-07 Malverne, New York P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (NCDC)
37 United States Grant Riley Sophomore G 6' 4" (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-08-28 Rochester, New York Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
39 Canada Cameron Whitehead Freshman G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-06-13 Orleans, Ontario Lincoln Stars (USHL) VGK, 128th overall 2022

Standings

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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

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DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Regular Season
October 7 7:00 pm Stonehill* #19 Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead W 7–0  2,621 1–0–0
October 8 4:00 pm #2 Quinnipiac* #19 Matthews ArenaBoston, Massachusetts (Exhibition)ESPN+ Hopkins T 2–2 OT  
October 14 7:00 pm Bentley* #19 Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead W 5–2  4,287 2–0–0
October 26 7:00 pm at New Hampshire #18 Whittemore CenterDurham, New HampshireESPN+ Whitehead L 1–4  3,613 2–1–0 (0–1–0)
October 28 7:00 pm Merrimack #18 Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 1–4  2,132 2–2–0 (0–2–0)
November 3 7:30 pm at #18 Massachusetts Mullins CenterAmherst, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 1–2 OT 5,426 2–3–0 (0–3–0)
November 10 7:00 pm at #5 Providence Schneider ArenaProvidence, Rhode IslandESPN+ Whitehead L 1–2 OT 2,914 2–4–0 (0–4–0)
November 11 7:00 pm #5 Providence Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 2–5  3,391 2–5–0 (0–5–0)
November 17 7:00 pm #13 New Hampshire Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 2–4  2,612 2–6–0 (0–6–0)
November 18 7:00 pm at #13 New Hampshire Whittemore CenterDurham, New HampshireESPN+ Hopkins L 0–4  6,010 2–7–0 (0–7–0)
November 25 7:00 pm at Rensselaer* Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Whitehead T 3–3 OT 1,930 2–7–1
November 26 7:00 pm at Rensselaer* Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Whitehead W 9–2  1,856 3–7–1
December 1 7:00 pm #1 Boston College Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead W 5–3  7,884 4–7–1 (1–7–0)
December 2 8:00 pm at #1 Boston College Conte ForumChestnut Hill, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 1–3  4,392 4–8–1 (1–8–0)
December 9 7:00 pm at Brown* Meehan AuditoriumProvidence, Rhode IslandESPN+ Whitehead W 4–1  1,077 5–8–1
Holiday Face–Off
December 28 5:00 pm vs. Minnesota Duluth* Fiserv ForumMilwaukee, Wisconsin (Holiday Face–Off Semifinal)BSW Whitehead W 4–3 OT 8,652 6–8–1
December 29 8:30 pm vs. #6 Wisconsin* Fiserv ForumMilwaukee, Wisconsin (Holiday Face–Off Championship)BSW Whitehead L 0–3  8,689 6–9–1
January 6 5:00 pm #3 Quinnipiac* Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead T 3–3 OT 4,182 6–9–2
January 9 7:00 pm at #2 Boston University Agganis ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 3–4 OT 4,248 6–10–2 (1–9–0)
January 12 7:00 pm Vermont Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Hopkins L 4–5  2,489 6–11–2 (1–10–0)
January 13 7:30 pm Vermont Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead W 3–1  3,121 7–11–2 (2–10–0)
January 20 7:00 pm #12 Massachusetts Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 1–2  4,182 7–12–2 (2–11–0)
January 26 7:00 pm Merrimack Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead W 5–3  2,421 8–12–2 (3–11–0)
January 27 7:00 pm at Merrimack J. Thom Lawler RinkNorth Andover, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead W 4–1  2,647 9–12–2 (4–11–0)
January 30 6:30 pm #3 Boston University Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPNU, TSN Whitehead W 4–3 OT 4,009 10–12–2 (5–11–0)
February 2 7:00 pm #6 Maine Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+, NESN Whitehead W 6–3  3,507 11–12–2 (6–11–0)
Beanpot
February 5 5:00 pm vs. Harvard* TD GardenBoston, Massachusetts (Beanpot Semifinal)NESN Whitehead W 3–2 OT 17,850 12–12–2
February 12 8:00 pm vs. #3 Boston University* TD GardenBoston, Massachusetts (Beanpot Championship)NESN Whitehead W 4–3 OT 13–12–2
February 16 7:15 pm at Massachusetts Lowell Tsongas CenterLowell, MassachusettsESPN+ Whitehead L 2–4  5,426 13–13–2 (6–12–0)
February 17 7:00 pm Massachusetts Lowell Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+, NESN Whitehead W 4–0  3,002 14–13–2 (7–12–0)
February 23 7:00 pm at #9 Maine Alfond ArenaOrono, MaineESPN+ Whitehead L 1–5  4,684 14–14–2 (7–13–0)
February 24 7:00 pm at #9 Maine Alfond ArenaOrono, MaineESPN+ Whitehead W 4–0  4,777 15–14–2 (8–13–0)
March 1 7:00 pm Connecticut Matthews ArenaBoston, MassachusettsESPN+, NESN+ Whitehead L 3–4  3,188 15–15–2 (8–15–0)
March 2 3:00 pm at Connecticut Toscano Family Ice ForumStorrs, ConnecticutESPN+ Whitehead W 4–2  2,691 16–15–2 (9–15–0)
March 9 4:00 pm at #11 Providence Schneider ArenaProvidence, Rhode IslandESPN+ Whitehead T 3–3 SOL 2,165 16–15–3 (9–15–1)
Hockey East Tournament
March 13 7:00 pm Merrimack* Matthews ArenaBoston, Massachusetts (Opening Round)ESPN+ Whitehead W 4–0  1,254 17–15–3
March 16 7:30 pm at #2 Boston University* Agganis ArenaBoston, Massachusetts (Quarterfinal)ESPN+ Whitehead L 2–4  5,455 17–16–3
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[4]

Scoring statistics

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Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Justin HryckowianC321330438
Alex CampbellC/LW362220426
Jack WilliamsRW341719368
Dylan HryckowianRW347273422
Cam LundC3511193022
Vinny BorgesiD345232810
Gunnarwolfe FontaineC/LW36819276
Pito WaltonD365121730
Jackson DorringtonD3366126
Matt ChoupaniC2839128
Matt DemelisF232680
Liam WalshLW3643728
Brett EdwardsF3152718
Hunter McDonaldD2315632
Matthew StaudacherD312248
Billy NorcrossC260444
Nolan HayesD220330
Michael FisherD2911214
Eli SebastianC320112
Braden DoyleD131010
Andy MooreF3101112
Connor HopkinsG30000
Anthony MessuriF30000
Michael OutzenF160002
Cameron WhiteheadG350002
Harrison ChesneyG10000
Patrick DawsonD160002
Total113212325258

[5]

Goaltending statistics

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Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals against Saves Shut outs SV % GAA
Harrison Chesney15:410000101.0000.00
Cameron Whitehead352081:20171439110054.9172.62
Connor Hopkins386:290205260.8393.47
Empty Net-17:18---1----
Total362190:48171639710324.9142.66

Rankings

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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 19 19 16 18 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Hockey 18 19 16 17 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 20 NR NR NR 20 NR NR NR NR

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

Awards and honors

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Player Award Ref
Justin Hryckowian Hockey East Best Defensive Forward [7]
Northeastern Huskies Charlie Holt Team Sportsmanship Award [7]
Alex Campbell Hockey East Third Team [8]
Justin Hryckowian

|2024 NHL entry draft

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Round Pick Player NHL team
7195Joseph Connor Tampa Bay Lightning

† incoming freshman [9]

References

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  1. "As Northeastern's historic losing streak extends to seven games, what is going so wrong?". WRBB Sports. November 19, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  2. "2024 Beanpot - Northeastern vs. Boston University Highlights". YouTube. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  3. "2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Northeastern Huskies. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  4. "2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Schedule". Northeastern Huskies. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  5. "Northeastern Univ. 2023-2024 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  6. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  7. 1 2 "MACKLIN CELEBRINI NAMED HOCKEY EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR". Hockey East. March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  8. "HOCKEY EAST NAMES 2023-24 MEN'S ALL-STAR TEAMS". Hockey East. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  9. "NCAA player rankings, selections in 2024 NHL Draft". USCHO.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.