UConn Men’s Hockey Honors Its Seniors

On Saturday night, UConn Men’s Hockey honored their three seniors. This being their last year at UConn is really the only thing those three have in common.

“They’re all unique in their own way,” head coach Mike Cavanaugh said.

Rob Nichols is the only player who spent all four years of his eligibility in the program and is a big reason behind some of UConn’s big wins over the years.

“Robbie kept us in games, he flat-out kept us in games his sophomore year,” Cavanaugh said.

Nichols played 93.9 percent of UConn’s minutes in the Huskies’ first year in Hockey East, helping steal two top-five wins. He made 1,052 saves, the fourth-highest total in the nation.

“He’s been an incredible teammate,” Cavanaugh said.

Nichols spoke highly of his time at UConn.

“I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to come here and I have loved every minute of it,” he said. “It’s been an unbelievable experience.

“It’s been an incredible ride.”

Forward Evan Richardson transferred to UConn after a year at Boston College. He saw action in four games his freshman year and then came to Storrs to play his three remaining years of eligibility.

“He will always be remembered for the goal he scored on opening night here to beat BC,” Cavanaugh said. “He’s just another one who has kept getting better every year.”

In UConn’s first Hockey East home game, Richardson scored the game’s only goal on the power play in a 1-0 win over No. 3 Boston College.

In 90 games at UConn, he scored 41 points, 22 coming this season. He also won 58.6 percent of his face-offs this year.

“These four years are something that I will look back on forever,” Richardson said.

The final senior, Brian Morgan, came to UConn as a graduate transfer after three years at Maine.

In his three seasons for the Black Bears, he scored 32 points (17-15—32). In his senior year, he scored 13 points (6-7—13) and tied his career high in goals and assists, matching the production from his sophomore campaign.

“He’s been an excellent piece of the puzzle and I am glad he chose to come here,” Cavanaugh said.

UConn will open the Hockey East Tournament on the road against Northeastern this weekend.