UConn men’s hockey adds 2020 forward Gavin Puskar

UConn men’s hockey added its sixth 2020 commitment, from forward Gavin Puskar. A native of Farmington, Connecticut, Puskar will join the Huskies straight out of prep school (instead of playing junior hockey), just as rising junior Marc Gatcomb and rising sophomore Jake Flynn did.

Listed at 6-foot-1, 165 points, Puskar played at The Hotchkiss School in Salisbury, Connecticut where he finished this past season with 18 goals and 18 assists. He was described by a source as “a good, solid player” with skill and scoring touch. Puskar will need to add some strength to hold up in the collegiate game, though, which could be an issue if summer sessions are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Puskar is the sixth player in UConn’s 2020 class and the fifth forward. The Huskies are trying to balance the roster better to avoid bringing in large classes, like the 12-player group that came to Storrs two years ago. While Brian Rigali and Zac Robbins are the only two senior forwards, UConn could also lose juniors Ruslan Iskhakov, Kale Howarth and Jachym Kondelik to the pro ranks after next season.

Even with 29 players on the roster for next year, the Huskies are still exploring their options and could still add another player to the 2020 class.

UConn’s future commits:

2020 - Forwards Cassidy Bowes, Nick Capone, Johnny Mulera, Gavin Puskar and Hudson Schandor; Defenseman John Spetz

2021 - Forwards Mark D’Agostino, Tabor Heaslip and Brandon Santa Juana; Defenseman Jack Pascucci

2022 - Forward Oliver Flynn

Unclassified: Forwards Ignat Belov and Sean Donaldson