Huckins Comes Home
(FREDERICTON, NB) The defending University Cup and Atlantic University Sport champion UNB REDS are adding home-grown forward Cole Huckins to their recruiting class of 2024.
The Fredericton-born Huckins, who plays right wing, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2024-2025 AUS season.
“I’m thrilled to join UNB and to work to continue the success and standard they have set,” said Huckins. “When I was growing up, I would attend their camps and watch their games. Being from Fredericton makes it super special to be able to have my family and friends so close and be able to watch me play on a regular basis.”
Huckins recently finished a major junior career in which he played 267 regular season games with Acadie-Bathurst, Sherbrooke, and Charlottetown.
In his five seasons, Huckins recorded 86 goals and 115 assists.
He played in 35 QMJHL playoff games during his career, adding another seven goals and seven assists.
“We’re excited to add another local product to our team,” said REDS’ head coach Rob Hennigar. “Cole brings smarts, size, and grit to our line-up along with an offensive punch.”
“Coming out of junior hockey I was unsure of my next step,” said Huckins. “My family and I sat down and looked at all the options and ultimately landed on UNB. To be able to be so close to my family was a huge bonus. Along with the schooling and hockey opportunities UNB offers, it just felt like the full package.”
In 2021, Huckins was a third-round draft pick, 77th overall, of the NHL’s Calgary Flames.
He attended their training camps in 2021 and 2022 as well as their development camps in 2022 and 2023.
Earlier this year, Huckins attended the Winnipeg Jets’ development camp.
“Any time you can add a third round NHL draft pick and a player that competes like Cole, with his size, you get excited,” said Hennigar.
“I think Coach Hennigar really likes my skill and size and my hockey IQ,” Huckins said. “REDS fans can expect a big strong power forward who works hard and can create opportunities all over the ice for my teammates along with a complete 200-foot game.”
Huckins has yet to declare his major.
He and the REDS open their 2024-2025 AUS season on Friday, October 4th when UNB hosts the Dalhousie Tigers.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTO: Darrell Theriault/Charlottetown Islanders