UConn Men’s Hockey Defenseman Philip Nyberg Leaves Program

UConn men’s hockey defenseman Philip Nyberg is turning pro. The would-be senior is returning back home to Sweden to play in HockeyAllsvenskan, the country’s second-division league, a source confirmed. Nyberg wasn’t sure of what his role would be with the Huskies this upcoming season and ultimately just wanted to go back home. However, his departure is amicable.

Nyberg came to Storrs for the second semester of the 2016-17 season and over the next two and a half years, he appeared in 70 games and totaled 13 points on three goals and 10 assists. The Buffalo Sabres selected Nyberg in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft though his status with the organization going forward is unclear.

While UConn is losing one defenseman, they will be gaining another. The UConn Blog also learned that elite Russian recruit Yan Kuznetsov will come to Storrs this fall instead of 2020. Despite only being 17 years old, Kuznetsov is one of the top prospects to commit to UConn and is expected to be a first round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The addition of freshmen Kuznetsov, Carter Berger and Harrison along with returners Roman Kinal, Corson Green, Adam Karashik, Wyatt Newpower and Ryan Wheeler will give the Huskies a young but quicker group that the team hopes can provide more offensively.