Colorado College hockey coach Kris Mayotte announced the 10 newcomers who will join the Tiger hockey program for the 2023-24 season.

"We are excited to add these 10 student-athletes to our program," Mayotte said. "Not only are we bringing in very good hockey players, we are adding a lot of character and leadership as six of the nine freshmen were named either captain or assistant captain of his team last year. Beyond that, we are adding players who have a long history of scoring goals. This class combined for 134 goals last season in the USHL and we are the only school in the country to have three that finished in the top 15 for scoring last year among defensemen."
 
The Class of 2027 consists of Max Burkholder (Dubuque Fighting Saints – USHL), Tyler Dunbar (Lincoln Stars – USHL), Antonio Fernandez (Lincoln Stars – USHL), Bret Link (Fargo Force – USHL), Drew Montgomery (Omaha Lancers – USHL), Riley Stuart (Dubuque Fighting Saints – USHL), Klavs Veinbergs (Lincoln Stars – USHL), Evan Werner (Tri-City Storm – USHL) and Zaccharya Wisdom (Cedar Rapids Roughriders – USHL).
 
In addition, the Tigers will add goalie Henry Wilder, a senior transfer from Boston College, to the '23-24 roster.

"Once again, I want to give credit to our assistant coaches, Peter Mannino and John Lidgett, for their incredible work in seeing this class become a reality," Mayotte said.


Colorado College Hockey – 2023-24 Newcomers
 

Max Burkholder Freshman Defenseman 5-9, 176 Chaska, MN Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 51 points (17g,34a) in 62 games for the Dubuque Fighting Saints last season … Team captain and member of the USHL Second All-Star team … Led the USHL in goals and tied for first in points among defensemen … Tied for fourth on the team with five power-play goals and second with 16 power-play assists … Collected 23 points (9g,14a) in 61 games with Dubuque in '21-'22 … Scored six goals and 12 assists in 25 games as a senior at Chaska High School ... Played in the USA Select Festival in 2020.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Max is an exciting player as he joins us following a record-breaking season. He led the USHL and set Dubuque's franchise record in scoring by a defenseman. His great release can beat goalies from distance, and in combination with elusive hands and skating make him an offensive threat every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone, but I believe it is his offensive IQ that sets him apart. He makes smart reads and has great timing when he jumps into scoring areas, and is in constant motion, making him a challenge to mark."

 

Tyler Dunbar Freshman Defenseman 6-1, 197 Sault Ste. Marie, MI Lincoln Stars (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted nine points (2g,7a) in 27 games for the Lincoln Stars after collecting 22 points (3g,19a) in 36 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks last season … Helped the Stars reach the Western Conference finals of the Clark Cup … Served as assistant captain at Muskegon … Gathered 46 points (9g,37a) in three previous seasons with Muskegon … Had five points (2g,3a) in nine playoff games with Lincoln … Also played for the Soo Greyhounds and Thunderbirds … Played in the USA Select Festival in 2019 and '20.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Tyler has all the tools you look for in a modern defenseman. He is long, skates well, has poise with the puck on his stick, and the vision to make plays in any part of the rink. He is someone our staff has had our eyes on for quite a while. Tyler finished 15^th in scoring among USHL defensemen, and I think he is only beginning to scratch the surface in terms of how he can impact a game."

 

Antonio Fernandez Freshman Defenseman 5-8, 178 San Jose, CA Lincoln Stars (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 40 points (12g,28a) in 58 games with the Lincoln Stars last season … Assistant captain for the 2022-23 campaign … Finished sixth on the team and second among defensemen in scoring … Tied for third on the squad with six power-play goals … Helped the Stars reach the Western Conference finals of the Clark Cup … Collected 32 points (14g,18a) in 62 games for Lincoln in '21-22 … Member of the USHL All-Rookie Team that season … Also played for the Amarillo Bulls (NAHL), Team Illinois, Lake Forest Academy and the San Jose Jr. Sharks.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Our fans are going to love Antonio. While he isn't the biggest guy on the ice, he plays the game hard and with a determination that is difficult to find. He finished sixth in scoring among USHL defensemen and was a big part of Lincoln's playoff run. His skating and play-making ability will stand out, but his ability to play tough in all three zones is what is so exciting about Antonio."

 

Bret Link Freshman Forward 6-3, 188 Anchorage, AK Fargo Force (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 55 points (26g,29a) in 61 games with the Fargo Force last season … Assistant captain for the 2022-23 campaign … Tied for second on the team in points and third with four game-winning goals … Led the USHL with a +36 and tied for 18th with 26 goals … Collected 50 points (20g,30a) in 61 games with Fargo during the 2021-22 campaign … Had 55 points in 94 games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs the previous two seasons … Played in the USA Select Festival in 2018, '19 and '20.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Bret is a big power forward who skates well, is detailed in all three zones, and has fantastic scoring and play-making ability to go with it. What makes Bret such an exciting forward for us is he has the agility and deception to score the highlight-reel goal, but he also has the size, strength and toughness to get to the net and score from the crease as well. Bret was a part of the best line in the USHL last year as he scored 26 goals while leading the USHL in +/-. He is truly a 200-foot player that can be relied on in all three zones."


 

Drew Montgomery Freshman Forward 5-11, 174 Grand Forks, ND Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 22 points (10g,12a) in 45 games for the Omaha Lancers after collecting five points (0g,5a) in 13 games for the Tri-City Storm last season … Had 21 points in 84 games for Tri-City the previous two seasons … Collected 25 points (5g,20a) in 25 games in one year at Grand Forks' Red River High School … Also played for the Sioux Falls Power and Grand Forks Bantam.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Drew joins us after leading Omaha in scoring last season as well as being named their captain after a mid-season trade. Drew is the type of player that helps win games in the NCHC. He plays the game hard and with a chip on his shoulder, which not only creates room for his teammates but also allows him to get to the hard areas. He is the guy that you love having on your team but that the other team hates playing against. He will bring speed, toughness, leadership and the ability to produce regularly."

 

Riley Stuart Freshman Forward 6-2, 201 Phoenix, AZ Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 15 points (5g,10a) in 61 games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints last season … Collected 39 points in 146 games with Dubuque the previous three seasons … Team captain for the 2022-23 season and assistant captain in 2020-21 … Grew up playing for the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes … Played in the USA Select Festival in 2019 and '20.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Riley is an experienced leader who has the potential to be a true power forward in the NCHC. His offensive numbers won't jump off the page, but he is someone who shows up every single night and puts it on the line for the team. At 6'2", he is a powerful skater who understands the details of winning hockey. He can play in any situation which is a unique ability. We lost valuable players in Noah Prokop and Patrick Cozzi last year and I think Riley will be able to help us fill those spots."

 

Klavs Veinbergs Freshman Forward 6-3, 198 Riga, Latvia Lincoln Stars (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 28 points (12g,16a) in 50 games for the Lincoln Stars last season … Helped the Stars reach the Western Conference finals of the Clark Cup … Played for Latvia in the 2022 IIHF World Championship and the last two World Junior Championships … Collected 24 points (16g,8a) in 47 games for HK Riga and five points (1g,4a) in five games with Zemgale in Latvia in '21-22 ... Selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "We were excited to get Klavs late in the recruiting process this spring. He is a big center with international experience. His skating for his size is impressive along with his faceoff and shooting ability. His shot can be a threat from anywhere in the offensive zone, but what really impresses me is his ability to get his shot off in difficult situations. Klavs provides more size for us at the center position which will be a benefit as we get into league play."

 

Evan Werner Freshman Forward 5-8, 173 Flower Mound, TX Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 31 points (15g,16a) in 37 games for the Tri-City Storm after collecting seven points (3g,4a) in 14 games for the Omaha Lancers last season … Assistant captain for Omaha in 2022-23 … Set a new Tri-City franchise record with a goal in each of his first seven games … Collected 26 points (14g,12a) in 54 games with Omaha and Youngstown in 2021-22 … Named to NAHL All-Rookie First Team after gathering 36 points (21g,15a) in 40 games for the New Jersey Jr. Titans in 2020-21 … Notched 114 points in 141 games for the Little Caesars program from 2018-20  … Played in the USA Select Festival in 2019 and '20.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Evan finds a way to make scoring look easy at times. He has a consistent compete level with great skating and his speed makes it very difficult to play against him. Evan has been a prolific scorer his entire career, but it's his ability to pressure pucks, force mistakes from the opponent, and turn those into offense quickly that makes him such a valuable player. Offensively, he can go through you or around you and consistently keeps defenders off balance." 

 

Zaccharya Wisdom Freshman Forward 6-0, 175 Toronto, CAN Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL)

Before Colorado College: Posted 48 points (28g,20a) in 59 games with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders last season … Finished second on the team and tied for 14^th in the USHL with 28 goals … Tied for the team lead with five power-play goals … Collected 23 points (10g,13a) in 53 games with Cedar Rapids during the 2021-22 campaign … Also played for the Mississauga Senators and Brampton 45s in Canada ... Selected by the Seattle Kraken in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Zacch is coming off a great season in Cedar Rapids. The details in his game grew tremendously, which allowed him to play in all situations. Through earning more ice time, his offensive talents were able to be put on display, averaging almost half a goal per game. He possesses high-end speed, but what really impresses me about Zacch is his willingness and ability to get inside and get to the net, which makes him difficult to defend. His great hands allow him to finish in tight spaces, which I believe will transfer well to the NCHC."

 

Henry Wilder Senior Goalie 6-0, 180 Needham, MA Boston College (HEA)

2022-23 (BC): Appeared in three games with a 0-3-0 record … Posted a 5.45 goals against average and a .857 save percentage … Season-high 27 saves vs. UConn.
 
2021-22 (BC): Did not appear in a game as a sophomore. Mayer
 
2020-21 (BC): Appeared in three games with a 1-2-0 record … Posted a 3.20 goals against average and a .920 save percentage … Picked up his first career win in his collegiate debut with 30 saves against UConn (12-11) … Also had an assist in the victory for his first career point … Collected a career-high 39 saves the following day on the road against UConn (12-12).
 
Before College: Named USHS First Team All-New England in 2019-20 at The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut … Recorded a 1.69 goals against average and a .942 save percentage in 20 games between the pipes … Played four games for the U18 Yale Jr. Bulldogs that season … Had a 2.19 GAA and .923 SV% in 21 games during the 2018-19 season for Hotchkiss … Owns the school's single season record for highest save percentage (.942) and career record for games played (66) … Also played two years of varsity baseball at Hotchkiss as a pitcher and middle infielder.
 
Coach Mayotte's Comments: "Henry is the only transfer in this class and someone that Peter (Mannino) and I have a long history with, and we feel very fortunate to add him to our program. He is an athletic goalie who is very quick laterally and can make the big save. Henry showed that he has the ability to win hockey games at the college level, which is something we are excited to add."