PITTSBURGH, Pa. – February 9, 2021 – Head Men's Hockey Coach Michael Gershon and his staff have announced their 2020-21 roster additions. The team is set to take the ice for their first competition of the year on February 12^th against Stevenson University, followed by their home opener on the 13^th.
 
Michal Sivek | #2 | FY | Florida, NY | Amherst Ramblers (MJAHL) | Applied Data Science
 
Michal Sivek will be making his collegiate debut with the Cougars this season. Michal is an alum of the Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Hockey League, home to some of the top Junior players in North America.
 
"We are excited to have Michal join Chatham," shared first year assistant coach AJ Coleman. "Coming from the Maritime Junior Hockey League's Amherst Ramblers, Michal is a puck moving defenseman who isn't afraid to jump into the play. He has a great offensive instincts but can also be trusted defensively. We're excited to see Michal grow and mature as an athlete and young man."
 
Alex Ouellet | #4 | SO | Moncton, NB, CA | Albertus Magnus College (NCAA DIII) | Exercise Science
 
College hockey veteran Alex Ouellet will be putting on a Cougars jersey for his sophomore season. Alex joins Chatham from Albertus Magnus College after spending his Junior hockey years in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).
 
"We're excited for Alex to join our program," said fourth-year assistant coach Bill Connelly. "Alex shows up to the rink every day with a blue-collar mentality that is a great fit for our program and the city of Pittsburgh.  Joining from Albertus Magnus, Alex has fit in well with our team so far due to his compete level and willingness to block shots, even in practice."
 
 
Aidan Girduckis | #6  | SO | Belleville, ON, CA | Robert Morris University (NCAA DI) | Applied Data Science
 
Aidan Girduckis returns to the Pittsburgh area this season as part of the Chatham Cougars. Previously, Aidan was a stand-out for the NCAA DI Robert Morris University Colonials. Prior to his collegiate career, Aidan was a 2016 World Junior A Challenge IIHF Silver Medalist, a 2017 Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) Champion, and a CCHL All-Star in 2018. Aidan's talent was more than enough to land him on the 2017 NHL Central Scouting Draft List.
 
"I am very excited that Aidan has transferred from Robert Morris University to Chatham University," said former Robert Morris Assistant Coach and current Chatham Head Coach Michael Gershon. " We believe that Aidan has the ability to be a top defenseman in the UCHC with his blend of size, skill and skating.  Aidan also brings some credibility to our program as our first Division 1 transfer, a former top defenseman in the CCHL, he was on the NHL Central Scouting Draft List as well as playing for Team Canada East in the World Junior A Challenge twice.  Aidan has fit right in despite coming in at Christmas and we believe that his presence and experience will greatly improve our program."
 
Chris Dusek | #7 | FY | Dallas, TX | Hudson Havoc (USPHL) | Undecided
 
Chris Dusek comes to Chatham with an impressive Junior hockey resume. The Dallas native played for the Hudson Havoc of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) where he was a two-time First Team All-Star. As a defenseman, Chris does not ignore offensive opportunities. He boasts the most career USPHL goals and points by a defenseman with 37 and 135 respectively. Prior to signing with Hudson, Chris was a 2017 Midwest Prep Hockey League (MPHL) champion with Lake Forest Academy.
 
"Joining Max from Hudson, a strong junior program with a foundation of leaders and culture, Chris is certainly going to bring that to Chatham University.  As a versatile defender, we're excited to see the continued development and performance of Chris in all three zones of our attack and transition offense," said Assistant Coach Bill Connelly.
 
Max Wigfield | #26 | FY | Oak Park, IL | Hudson Havoc (USPHL) | International Business
 
Another standout player from Hudson, Max Wigfield served as assistant captain in his final year with the Havoc, helping lead his team to a division championship win to conclude the 2019-20 season. Max was also an MPHL champion with Lake Forest Academy in 2017.
 
"Max commands an immediate presence on the ice and in the locker room," shared Connelly. "Along with his size, Max has a quiet-workmanlike mentality that is going to be a great asset in the UCHC.  Like his junior teammate, Chris Dusek, we know what we are getting from Max in terms of his commitment and leadership qualities coming from the Hudson Havoc."
 
Liam Murphy | #27 | FY | Chemung, NY | Elmira Jr. Soaring Eagles (NA3HL) | Exercise Science
 
Liam Murphy comes to the Cougars from the Elmira Jr. Soaring Eagles of the North American Tier III Hockey League (NA3HL). While with Elmira, Liam was crowned NA3HL Player of the Month and was nominated for the NA3HL Top Prospect Tournament. Liam served as a leader both on and off the ice, showing his work ethic while captaining the Junior Soaring Eagles, working over 900 volunteer hours with disabled children, and making the 2020 Dean's List.
 
"Liam is a unique player, mixing speed and skill along with his 6'3" frame," said Coach Connelly. "Liam has overcome a lot of adversity in his life and continues to grow every day as a student, teammate, and young person in our community.  Liam is the type of versatile player that can beat defenders many ways and has quickly earned the respect of his teammates in the locker room."
 
Peter Siolas | #31 | FY | Carmel, NY | Team Maryland (EHL) | Exercise Science
First-year goaltender Peter Siolas will be making his collegiate debut with the Cougars this season. A Carmel, New York native, Peter spent several years in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) before finishing out his career with Team Maryland. In 2019, Peter helped his team win an EHL championship.
 
"We have high expectations for Peter, who brings a ton of experience to our program," said first-year Chatham Goaltending Coach Sean Moloney. "He's very mature, which will benefit us not only on the ice but in the locker room and in the Chatham community as well. His Goaltending IQ is high and he has a strong understanding of the position that we feel will make him successful in the UCHC. Peter's technical game is outstanding, but he also has a compete level that we really liked."
 
Carson Grainer | #38 | FY | Livonia, MI | Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) | International Business
 
Carson Grainer comes to Chatham from a successful junior hockey career with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). Carson logged 51 games with the 'Hawks, tallying six goals and 13 assists.
 
"Carson is a player that I have been tracking for a couple of years," said Coach Gershon. "Coming from the Johnstown Tomahawks in the North American Hockey League, we know that Carson comes from a well-coached program as he has jumped right into our line up and not missed a beat. We are looking for Carson to add speed and scoring to our line up not just for this year but also in the future."
 
The incoming players enter their rookie seasons alongside coaches Michael Gershon, AJ Coleman, and Sean Moloney. They are slated to play their first United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) matchup on February 18^th against Manhattanville College.