UNB adds OHL recruits
The five-time National Champion UNB Varsity Reds are excited to announce the addition of three new players to their upcoming 2014-15 roster.
Chris Carrozzi from Ottawa, Ontario, is UNB's newest addition to the valuable goaltending position.
Carrozzi was a 4th-round draft pick with the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers after a stellar four-year career in the OHL where he played with the Mississauga-St.Mike's Majors.
Carrozzi was named OHL goalie of the year in 2009-10 after posting a 2.36 GAA and a .916 save percentage. His pro career was spent mainly with the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators and Ontario Reign, which saw him post a sterling 2.27 GAA and .992 save percentage in 2011-12. He was called up to the AHL on three separate occasions and played in seven games.
Carrozzi will start the season in his fourth year of eligibility.
"Chris has excellent pedigree as a top profile goaltender," said UNB head coach Gardiner MacDougall. "He has valuable pro experience, has had an excellent summer of training with Dan Lacosta and is excited about the opportunity here at UNB."
Carrozzi will team up with sophomore Joel Vienneau as UNB's goaltending tandem for the upcoming season. Vienneau had a very strong rookie year for the Varsity Reds with an undefeated 7-0 regular season record and a 2.67 goals-against average.
Cameron Brace is a highly touted recruit the Varsity Reds are thrilled to land. The 5'10", 180lb forward is coming off a fantastic five-year OHL career where he spent four years with the Owen Sound Attack and was part of their 2011 OHL Championship squad. Brace was later traded to the Belleville Bulls where he had 27 goals in 42 games and was named an assistant captain.
Brace was named OHL Player of the Week for his final week of junior hockey. He had a career best 35-39-74 pts in the 2013-14 season and attended the Pittsburgh Penguin's training camp. His OHL totals include 106 goals and 100 assists for 206 points in 265 games played.
"Cameron is a dynamic player with top notch speed and an excellent shot. He should thrive on our style of play and be a crowd favourite here at UNB," said MacDougall.
Colin Suellentrop is a five-year veteran of the OHL's Oshawa Generals where he was an assistant captain. The 6'1", 205lb Suellentrop is a right-handed defenseman and a solid two-way player often called upon to match up against the other team's top men. He played in a total of 313 OHL games where he scored 11 goals and added 74 assists for 85 points. He also added 368 penalty minutes.
In 2011, Suellentrop was drafted in the 4th round of the NHL entry draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Colin has attended NHL camps for both the Flyers and Florida Panthers and will be attending the Arizona Coyotes training camp this fall.
"Colin is an excellent addition to our D-core," said MacDougall. "He has a high compete level, moves the puck very well and has a top notch fitness level. He has excellent potential to be a top notch pro after getting his university degree."
Suellentop will study Chemical Engineering at UNB.
UNB had earlier announced the addition of former OHL play-off MVP Rob Mignardi of the Owen Sound Attack who played two years of pro in the AHL/ECHL and redshirted last season. Another recruit, Patrick Watling from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, decided to sign an AHL 2-way contract last week. Watling had a breakout season at the age of 20 and was named 2014 OHL Scholastic Player of the Year.
The Varsity Reds will begin their 2014-15 exhibition home schedule on September 20th when they will play the Nipissing Lakers.