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New obligations of USHL players
Over the past two weeks, two top players from the United States Hockey League have committed to UNH. Left winger Nicky Romeoleading scorer for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, and Leo Henriquezleading USHL goaltender, are potential impact players for the 2026-27 UNH season. Here are their profiles (see also the 2025-26 statistics sheet at the end of this post):
 | Nicky Romeo Left winger, 6’0″, 181 lbs. Shoots left |
Neutral Zone, USHL game report, November 15, 2025
“Romeo demonstrated his offensive skill by making slip plays, drawing defenders in and then finding his teammates on open ice. He executed this several times in the rush, attacking with speed and feeding pucks under triangles to hit teammates shooting toward the net. He clearly leans toward a pass-first approach, using his quick hands, high hockey IQ and excellent vision to consistently create scoring opportunities for others.”
 | Leo Henriquez Goalie, 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Catch left |
Neutral Zone, USHL Showcase Report, September 17-21, 2025
“His quick crease movements and composure while making saves were immediately noticeable. Henriquez showed excellent body control and explosive lateral mobility, highlighted by a highlight-reel save on a 2v0 opportunity against Sioux Falls. He gobbles down rebounds, tracks pucks well and uses his edges effectively in his RVH and recovery. The angles were strong, although the depth control was inconsistent, and his puck handling needs refinement.”
“His head is up, shoulder checks are frequent and he reads plays intelligently. Stays low through screens and made several above-average reflex saves. Henriquez is technically sound and athletic and projects a high ceiling this season.”
Implications for the incoming freshman class of 2026
Six current UNH players are in their final year of competition under current NCAA eligibility rules. Their departures leave four openings for forwards and two openings for goalies on UNH’s 2026-27 roster:
FORWARD (4)
Cy LeClerc (left shot; senior)
Morgan Winters (left shot; senior)
Kristaps Skrastins (right shot; senior)
Jack Cronin (right shot; graduate student)
OBJECTIVES (2)
Kyle Chauvette (Sr)
Jared Walvis (Sr)
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Nicky Romeo will join Niko Tournas (RW), Mason Zebeski (LW), and Parker von Richter (D) on the UNH freshman class of 2026. That leaves one potential opening for a forward on the 2026-2027 UNH roster. Additional forward opening(s) may become available after the NCAA transfer portal opens from April 13 to 27.
Talented young Leo Henriquez will likely be considered for one of the goaltending openings. UNH has a track record of bringing in experienced goalies through the NCAA transfer portal. Free junior goalkeepers may also be eligible. Henriquez could take his matriculation exams in 2027.
2025-2026 statistics for all 18 UNH commits
| Player | NZ ★s | Team | Competition | GP | Goals | Assistant | Ptn | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projected freshman class of 2026 | |||||||||
| Nicky Romeo 2-5-05 (LW) | 3.75 | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | 45 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 2 | +6 |
| Mason Zebeski 4-10-05 (LW) | 3.75 | Barry Colts | OHL | 17 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 22 | -2 |
| Brampton Steelheeds | QMJHL | 38 | 13 | 15 | 28 | 37 | -4 | ||
| Niko Tournas* 2/17/06 (RW) | 4.0 | Moncton feral cats | QMJHL | 51 | 36 | 26 | 62 | 32 | +22 |
| Parker von Richter 17-5-06 (D) | 4.0 | Barry Colts | OHL | 17 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 4 | +11 |
| Brampton Steelheeds | QMJHL | 38 | 4 | 21 | 25 | 26 | +2 | ||
| Commitments for 2026 or ’27 | |||||||||
| Leo Henriquez 29-04-07 (D) | 4.0 | Green Bay Gamblers | USHL | 25 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 2.00 | .926 |
| Kole Hyles* 16-01-06 (F) | 3.75 | Omaha Lancers | USHL | 41 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 24 | -1 |
| Money cook 31-03-07 (F) | 3.75 | Americans from three cities | WHL | 41 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 84 | -6 |
| Price Grimes* 28-01-06 (D) | 3.5 | Aberdeen Wings | NAHL | 42 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 74 | +6 |
| Commitments for 2027 or ’28 | |||||||||
| Ryan Grout* 15-08-07 (G) | 3.75 | Americans from three cities | WHL | 24 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 4:00 am | .875 |
| Pavel Martinu 20/12/07 (F) | 3.75 | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | 39 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 42 | -6 |
| Jayden Connors 26-02-07 (D) | 3.75 | Truro Bear Cats | MJAHL | 27 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 8 | – |
| Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4 | ||
| Commitments for 2028 or ’29 | |||||||||
| Cole Sabourin 23-01-08 (F) | 3.5 | Mount St. Charles Academy | 6PM AAA | 45 | 23 | 33 | 56 | – | – |
| Hockey conference preparation | 12 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 18 | – | |||
| New England District | USA selects 17 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | – | ||
| Blake Cash 5/9/08 (F) | 3.75 | Cushing Academy | NO preparation | 27 | 13 | 10 | 23 | – | – |
| Xavier Cormier 18-12-08 (D) | 3.75 | Drummondville Vaulters | QMJHL | 37 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 6 | +15 |
| Commitments for 2029 or ’30 | |||||||||
| Evan Sercerchi 18-02-09 (F) | 4.0 | Val-d’Or drills | QMJHL | 33 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -8 |
| Cody Costello 22-4-09 (D) | 3.75 | Woodbridge Wolfpack 16U | Level 1 4pm | 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 16 | – |
| Beast 4pm | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
| Playoffs | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | |||
| FAKE 4PM | 15 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 20 | – | |||
| Bastien Michaud 2-5-09 (D) | 4.0 | Bishop’s College School Varsity | CSSHLE U18 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 13 | – |
| Canadian preparation | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | – | |||
| The city walls of Quebec | QMJHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Caine Bikkel 13-08-09 (F) | 3.75 | Seacoast Performance Academy 4pm | 4PM AAA | 57 | 76 | 61 | 137 | – | – |
| * = Signed NCAA Financial Aid Agreement | |||||||||
| ★’s = Neutral Zone 5 star rating | |||||||||
REMARK
The statistics for the commits, shown in the table above, are categorized by the expected year in which they will enroll at UNH. For example, I project that the “2026 Freshman Class” will play for UNH in the fall of 2026.
My projections are based on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players who left the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ The commit’s performance in recent seasons and injuries.
~ Number of years in junior hockey and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ Junior Leagues played.
~ If an NCAA Financial Aid Agreement has been signed.
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