Darion Hanson named starting goaltender for UConn men’s hockey

UConn men’s hockey’s goaltender battle is decided. Union transfer Darion Hanson will start in net for the Huskies in their season opener against Sacred Heart on Saturday.

“I think all three goalies played very well in the preseason, I just think [Hanson] has the most experience of all goaltenders we have,” head coach Mike Cavanaugh told The UConn Blog on Friday. “He’s played a lot of college hockey and he’s been our best goalie in the preseason and we’re gonna go with him.”

Hanson beat out sophomore Matt Pasquale and freshman Logan Terness for the job, though Cavanaugh has said that the competition will continue throughout the regular season.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Hanson transferred to UConn for his fifth year after Union canceled its 2020-21 season due to the pandemic. In three years with the Dutchmen, he owned a 2.55 goals against average and .913 save percentage across 78 games.

“I think he’s a big kid. He’s very confident. He stays on his feet. He’s got a lot of poise,” Cavanaugh said about Hanson. “I think he’s a very efficient goaltender.”

The biggest concern with Hanson entering the season is rust. When UConn takes the ice on Saturday, it’ll be 573 days since he last played in a college hockey game. While the time off impacted Hanson early in the preseason, Cavanaugh is confident he’ll be ready to go against Sacred Heart.

“He seems pretty dialed in right now.”

Puck drop is set for 4:05 p.m. at the XL Center against Sacred Heart.