Men's Hockey Welcomes Seven Newcomers In Class Of 2028

The seven newest members of the Princeton Men's Hockey program have been officially welcomed to the team as announced by head coach Ben Syer.

The Tigers will welcome five forward and two defensemen in the Class of 2028, with four members hailing from the U.S. and four calling Canada home.

"I am thrilled to have these seven young men join our group," Syer said. "They are team-first student-athletes who have made the most of every opportunity they've had along their prep and junior careers and bring the right mindset into the start of their collegiate journeys. I am grateful to the work of Tommy Davis and Shane Talarico who were instrumental in identifying these talented young men and forming the connections with them which has led to their arrival at Princeton. These seven players and their families will be great additions to Princeton Hockey as we begin our new era together."

Six of the new Tigers played junior hockey in the BCHL, including three who were teammates last season with the Coquitlam Express (Drew Garzone, Jake Manfre, Pat Reilly). Other Tigers heading to Baker Rink after successful BCHL careers include Julian Facchinelli (Vernon Vipers), Kai Greaves (Prince George Spruce Kings) and Luc Pelletier (Victoria Grizzlies).

The lone USHL product in this class is Maryland-native Miles Gunty who won a USHL championship in 2023 during his three-year run with the Youngstown Phantoms.

Of the seven newcomers, two are from Ontario, while one each resides in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts and British Columbia.

These recruits will join a crop of returners which includes six of the top-10 scorers from last year's team, led by Jack Cronin who tied for the team lead with 11 goals, and both Brendan Gorman and David Jacobs who were each second on the club in points with 24. Arthur Smith, an honorable mention All-Ivy goalie as a freshman in 2023-24, is part of a goalie group that returns all three who saw time in net last season.

Meet The Princeton Men's Hockey Class of 2028

#15 Julian Facchinelli
6'0 | 180 pounds
Forward | Right Shot
Woodbridge, Ontario/Vernon Vipers (BCHL)

Before Princeton: Spent two seasons with the Vernon Vipers (BCHL) … Tallied 46 points (24g, 22a) in 83 games over his two seasons in Vernon … Had 8 points (4g, 4a) in 21 playoff games with the Vipers … Had 25 points (13g, 12a) in 32 games during 2023-24 season … Served as assistant captain during 2023-24 season … Received team's Community Service award in 2024 … Was named Fan Favorite Award recipient twice … Played on Buffalo Regals 18U team during 2021-22 season, registering 18 points (5g, 13a) in 24 games … Was teammates with Princeton teammate Arthur Smith at the World Selects Invitational in 2018 and 2019 … Graduated from the Frederick Gunn School in 2022 … Led the Gunnery with 35 points in 35 games his senior season … Also played soccer at the Gunnery … Dean's List student.

Personal: Son of Joanne and Michael Facchinelli … Has a sister, Isabella … Intends to major in Psychology.

#13 Drew Garzone
6'1 | 190 pounds
Forward | Right Shot
Dover, Mass./Coquitlam Express (BCHL)

Before Princeton: Played the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with the Coquitlam Express (BCHL) … Tallied 67 points (26g, 41a) in 96 games with the Express … Registered 47 points (18g, 29a) in 54 games during 2023-24 season to lead the team in scoring … Added 8 points (5g, 3a) in 12 career playoff games with Coquitlam … Served as assistant captain with Coquitlam during 2023-24 season … Was selected Team MVP in 2024 … Selected 2021 BCHL Player of the Year by the New England Hockey Journal … Played for South Shore Kings (2021-22) and Cape Cod Whalers (2019-20 and 2020-21) … Graduated from Deerfield Academy in 2022 … Was assistant captain at Deerfield in 2021-22 … Tied for team lead in scoring during 2021-22 season … Also played lacrosse at Deerfield … Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Veronica and Matthew Garzone … Father played hockey at Colgate before going on to play in the ECHL … Mother played soccer at Colgate before playing semi-pro in the USLW … Has a brother, Sawyer, and sister, Raedyn … Intends to major in economics.

#23 Kai Greaves
6'2 | 205 pounds
Defenseman | Right Shot
Cambridge, Ontario/Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)

Before Princeton: Played two seasons with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL … Tallied 59 points (10g, 49a) in 107 regular season games over two seasons with Prince George … Named a BCHL All-Star in 2023-24 … Spent the 2021-22 season with Alberni Valley (BCHL) where he had 14 points (2g, 12a) in 47 regular season games before adding 5 points in 10 playoff games … Played for Waterloo Siskins (GOJHL) during the 2019-20 season … Had 21 points (5g, 16a) in 48 games for Waterloo and was named to the 2020 GOJHL All-Rookie Team … Graduated from St. Benedict High School.

Personal: Son of Brenda and Gerry Greaves … Older brother, Jet, is a goalie with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization … Intends to major in economics.

#17 Miles Gunty
5'11 | 190 pounds
Forward | Right Shot
Bethesda, Md./Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Before Princeton: Spent parts of three seasons (2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24) with the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) … Tallied 25 points (22g, 23a) in 54 games with the Phantoms … Played on 2023 USHL championship team, finishing with two assists over nine playoff games … Served as alternate captain with Youngstown during 2023-24 season … Spent 2021-22 season with the Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) where he had 22 points (10g, 12a) in 43 games … Graduated from St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. in 2022 … Helped St. Albans to 2019 and 2022 IAC Regular Season titles and the 2022 IAC Tournament championship … 2022 IAC Player of the Year and first-team All-Met … National Merit Commended Scholar.

Personal: Son of Lisa and Murry Gunty … Father played golf at Harvard … Has a sister, Skylar, and brother, Matthew … Older brother played lacrosse at Brown … Intends to major in economics.

#12 Jake Manfre
6'0 | 200 pounds
Forward | Left Shot
Kings Park, N.Y./Coquitlam Express (BCHL)

Before Princeton: Played with the Coquitlam Express (BCHL) during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons … Was assistant captain with the Express during 2023-24 season … Registered 52 points in 70 career games with the Express … Had 42 points (21g, 21a) in 54 games during 2023-24 season … Tallied 4 points (3g, 1a) in seven playoff games with the Express in 2024 … Named a BCHL All-Star in 2024 … Was selected Coquitlam's Forward of the Year in 2024 … Played with Princeton teammates Ian Devlin, Patrick Reilly and Drew Garzone with Coquitlam … Played on Long Island Gulls (2019-20, 2021-22) and North Jersey Avalanche (2020-21) … Graduated from St. Anthony's in 2022 … Named Catholic High School Association All-Star … National Honor Society member.

Personal: Son of Lisa and Phil Manfre … Has a brother, Alec, and a sister Lia … Intends to major in economics.

#26 Luc Pelletier
6'4 | 205 pounds
Forward | Left Shot
Courtenay, B.C./Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)

Before Princeton: Played four seasons in the BCHL with Victoria Grizzlies (2020-21 through 2023-24) … Was assistant captain with the Grizzlies in 2023-24 … Tallied 92 points (43g, 49a) in 169 games over his four seasons with Victoria … Tallied 45 points (20g, 25) in 54 games during 2023-24 season … Had 11 points (4g, 7a) in 11 playoff games in 2024 to be selected Playoff Performer of the Year by the Grizzlies … Voted Most Exciting Player by the Grizzlies in 2024 … Received Governors Choice Award from the Grizzlies in 2024 … Voted Third Star by the Grizzlies in 2024 … Won 2021 BCH Island Pod Championship … Spent 2019-20 season with Peninsula Panthers of the VIJHL … Had 35 points (18g, 17a) in 48 games with the Panthers.

Personal: Son of Kristen and Chris Pelletier … Has a sister, Isabella … Avid ball hockey player, team placed second at Provincials in 2023 where he was leading scorer … Intends to major in economics.

#3 Pat Reilly
6'1 | 190 pounds
Defenseman | Right Shot
Avon, N.J./Coquitlam Express (BCHL)

Before Princeton: Spent the 2023-24 season split between Trail Smoke and Coquitlam in the BCHL … Had 15 points (1g, 14a) in 34 games with Trail Smoke before finishing season with Coquitlam where he played in 23 games between the regular season and playoffs … Was teammates with fellow Tigers Drew Garzone and Jake Manfre with Coquitlam … Played 12 games with Sioux City in the USHL during the 2022-23 season … Also played with the New Jersey Rockets, New Jersey Jr. Titans and North Jersey Avalanche programs … Graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 2023 where he played four seasons … Had 114 career points at CBA … Two-time state champion with CBA (2019, 2022) … Two-time Gordon Cup champion at CBA (2019, 2022) … Served as team captain during 2022-23 season … Two-time first-team All-State (2021-22, 2022-23) … Four-time First-Team All-Conference … 2023 Jersey Sports Zone Player of the Year.

Personal: Son of Kristin and Pat Reilly … Has a brother, Charlie, and a sister Shea … Intends to major in Economics.

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