Last season’s freshmen class brought a lot of firepower up front with a plethora of forwards. This year’s freshmen class gets more defensive with four of the six new faces playing on the blueline. This group is big, averaging just over 6’2 and approximately 189 pounds! Let’s take a look at the newest Tommies.
#4 Cole Miller, Defenseman
5’11, 185
Fluid skating righthanded shot defenseman out of Littleton, Colorado. Captained the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL last season. He plays a responsible defensive game by displaying great gap control and an active stick. Possesses great agility and is an intelligent player. Cole can play in all situations and has untapped offensive potential.
#10 Mason Poolman, Defenseman
6’1, 180
A high hockey IQ Left-shot defenseman out of East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Played for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL last season. Mason is an athletic defender that plays a strong positional game. Takes away scoring chances with persistent pressure and has high compete level. He is quick to react and wins a high percentage of 50/50 pucks.
#14 Jase Sofo, Defenseman
6’3, 190
A good-sized right-shot defenseman from Sylvania, Ohio. Played for the Amarillo Wranglers of the NAHL last season. Brother to former UST forward, Joey Sofo. Jase uses his big frame to interrupt scoring chances and to bully opposing forwards. Sofo does a great job of taking away space from opposing forward by using his long reach. Played his way up from the NA3HL to D1, a testament to his work ethic and dedication to the game.
#29 J.D. Metz, Forward
6’2, 185
A 200-foot forward from Mahtomedi, Minnesota. J.D. had 36 points in 46 games for the New Mexico Ice Wolves of the NAHL last season. The former Mahtomedi High School star returns home to play for the Tommies and will supply the squad with some tenacity mixed with skillful playmaking. Metz will be a player that the Tommies can deploy in all situations as he can contribute on the PP and is an excellent penalty killer.
#39 Max Prazma, Goaltender
6’4, 195
A tall, left-catch goaltender from Calgary, Alberta. Max played for Calgary of the AJHL last season. He uses his big 6-foot 4 frame and good positioning to limit the available net the shooter can see. He stays square to the puck and tracks the puck well through traffic.
#46 Tobias Abrahamsson, Defenseman
6’4, 200
A hulking defenseman from Jönköping, Sweden. Tobias played for HV71 J20 team in the J20 Nationell (AKA, Sweden Under 20) A bit of an unknown entity as this will be his first season playing in North America and the only European on the UST roster.