DENVER – The University of Denver hockey program announced on Thursday its 10-member freshmen class for the 2023-24 season.
The 10 players include five forwards in Kieran Cebrian (Denver, Colo.), Sam Harris (San Diego, Calif.), Peter Lajoy (Evergreen, Colo.), Miko Matikka (Helsinki, Finland) and Alex Weiermair (Los Angeles, Calif.), four defensemen in Cale Ashcroft (St. Albert, Alberta), Garrett Brown (San Jose, Calif.), Boston Buckberger (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) and Zeev Buium (San Diego, Calif.),
and goaltender Freddie Halyk (Cochrane, Alberta).
“We’re excited to add these 10 players to our roster for next season and believe these new Pioneers will fit into the culture of our team,” said Richard and Kitzia Goodman hockey head coach David Carle. “This class features versatile players that will be key contributors to our program for years to come, and I’m looking forward to seeing these student-athletes continue to build on our Pioneer legacy on the ice and in the classroom.”
More information on all 10 players is below.
Cale Ashcroft | Defenseman | St. Albert, Alberta
5-10 | 185 lbs. | Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Before Denver: Spent 2022-23 in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm after playing the previous two seasons in the AJHL with the Sherwood Park Crusaders … Had 37 points (8g/29a) in 62 regular season games with the Storm before registering five assists in four playoff games in 2022-23 … Served as an alternate captain for Sherwood Park in 2021-22 and recorded 21 points (9g/12a) in 50 games, earning AJHL North All-Rookie Team honors … Also named the Crusaders top rookie and defenseman that season … Played 19 games and had 11 points (3g/8a) in 2020-21 with Sherwood Park … A product of the Northern Alberta organization.
Personal: Son of Thomas and Celena … Has two sisters, Eden (older) and Ella (younger) … Graduated from Bellerose High School in 2021 … Earned honors in junior high and high school … Intends to major in business at DU … Would like to play professional hockey and do something in real estate after college … Hobbies include wake surfing, golf, working out and watching movies.
Why DU: “The University of Denver is my dream school. I believe that coming to this school will give me the best chance to succeed in my sport but also in academics and life.”
Garrett Brown | Defenseman | San Jose, California
6-4 | 195 lbs. | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
NHL: Selected by the Winnipeg Jets in Round 4 (99th Overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft
Before Denver: Split the 2022-23 campaign with the Sioux City Musketeers and Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL, totaling 18 points (3g/15a) in 54 contests … Began the year as an alternate captain for Sioux City and registered 16 points (3g/13a) in 36 games before being acquired by Waterloo in a trade on Feb. 28, 2023 and adding two assists in 18 outings for the Black Hawks … Played in three 2023 USHL playoff games for Waterloo … Helped Sioux City win the 2021-22 USHL Clark Cup championship by registering 16 points (4g/12a) in 62 regular-season games and one assist in 10 postseason outings … Product of the San Jose Jr. Sharks and played one game with Sioux City in 2020-21 … Helped USA win the 2022 World Jr. A Challenge … Attended the 2023 U.S. World Junior Summer Showcase in July and August in preparation for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Personal: Son of Curtis and Ami … Has two brothers, Gage (older) and Griffin (younger) … Graduated from high school in 2022 … Intends to major in communications at DU … Father, Curtis, recorded 300 points (129g/171a) in 736 career NHL games with Buffalo, San Jose and Chicago … Mother, Ami, played Division-I soccer at the University of Southern California … Wants to play in the NHL after college … Hobbies include playing basketball, hanging out with friends and playing Call of Duty … Participated in several community projects while playing junior hockey in Sioux City, Iowa.
Why DU: “It’s the best spot for me to continue my hockey and academic career.”
Boston Buckberger | Defenseman | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
5-11 | 172 lbs. | Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Before Denver: Skated in 2022-23 with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, serving as an alternate captain of the squad … Was named a USHL Third-Team All-Star with Lincoln after producing 45 points (9g/36a) in 62 games … His 36 assists ranked tied for 13th in the league during the year … Added eight points (1g/7a) in nine USHL playoff games … Helped the Brooks Bandits with the Alberta Junior Hockey League Championship in 2021-22 and was named to the AJHL South All-Rookie Team after compiling 31 points (13g/18a) in 59 games … Registered nine points (2g/7a) in 13 AJHL playoff contests en route to the 2022 championship … Product of the Saskatoon Maniacs, Riverkings and Blazers organizations … Registered 40 points (14g/26a) in 43 games with the Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA in 2019-20
Personal: Son of Ashley and Taryn … Has a twin brother, Braxton, younger brother, Ronan, and older sister, Paige … Father, Ashley, played professional hockey for six years in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League and West Coast Hockey League … Graduated from Centennial Collegiate school in 2021 … Hopes to play professional hockey after his time at DU … Hobbies include golf, Spikeball, tennis and baseball.
Why DU: “I chose DU as it is an unbelievable campus that has plenty of options academically. Also, the hockey team is very sought after and it will be a pleasure to play on the team.”
Zeev Buium | Defenseman | San Diego, California
6-0 | 182 lbs. | U.S. Under-18 Team (NTDP)
Before Denver: Played two seasons at the U.S. National Team Development Program after spending his first two years of high school at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep in Faribault, Minn. … Led all team defensemen with 40 points (5g/35a) in 63 total games for the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team in 2022-23 and registered 12 points (2g/10a) in 23 USHL games with the NTDP during the year … Recorded six points (1g/5a) in seven games while helping Team USA to a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship … Participated in the 2023 Biosteel All-American Game … Tallied 13 points (4g/9a) in 49 games with the U.S. Under-17 Team during the 2021-22 NTDP campaign, recording five (2g/3a) in 32 USHL outings … Internationally, also helped USA to gold medals at the 2021 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in Finland and 2022 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament in Michigan … Earned a pair of silver medals at the 2021 Four Nations Tournament in Slovakia and 2023 Four Nations Tournament in Finland … Totaled 49 points (8g/41a) over 99 career games at Shattuck-St. Mary’s from 2019-2021, including recording 33 points (6g/27a) in 43 games in 2020-21 … Played for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings in 2018-19 and the Anaheim Jr. Ducks in 2017-18 where he participated in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament … Attended the 2023 U.S. World Junior Summer Showcase in July and August in preparation for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Personal: Son of Sorin and Miriam … Has two older brothers, Ben and Shai … Shai also plays on the University of Denver hockey team … Mother, Miriam, played professional women’s basketball in Israel … Graduated from Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Faribault, Minn., in 2023 … Career goals are to win an NCAA National Championship and have a successful career in the NHL and win Stanley Cups … Enjoys hanging out with friends, playing basketball and golfing in his spare time.
Why DU: “I chose the University of Denver because of the culture that is built in place, and I believe this is the place you can come in and develop as both a student-athlete and person. Also, this is the place to come to when you want to win a national championship.”
Kieran Cebrian | Forward | Denver, Colo.
6-2 | 194 lbs. | Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Before Denver: Played three seasons with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL from 2020 to 2023 … Scored a personal-best 16 goals and added 31 assists for 47 points in 61 contests in 2022-23 for the Storm … Added three points (2g/1a) in four 2023 playoff games … Had 23 points (9g/14a) in 62 contests with the Storm in 2021-22, helping the club win the Anderson Cup as regular-season champions … Registered 10 points (3g/7a) in 42 USHL games with Tri-City in 2020-21 … Finished his junior career with 80 points (28g/52a) in 165 games in the regular season and six points (3g/3a) in 11 postseason outings … Product of the Colorado Thunderbirds organization and competed at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament in 2016 with the T-Birds.
Personal: Son of Carlos and Glenda Cebrian … Has a younger sister, Ava … Graduated from Kent Denver High School in 2021 … Intends to major in finance at DU … Hopes to play professional hockey after graduating from DU … Hobbies include golf, working out and cooking … Volunteered with Miracles on Ice while in high school.
Why DU: “I chose DU because of its strong academics and the great hockey team. Also, it is very close to home and a cool place to play.”
Freddie Halyk | Goaltender | Cochrane, Alberta
6-6 | 220 lbs. | Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
Before Denver: Split the 2022-23 campaign between the Lloydminster Bobcats and Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, combining for a 20-22-1 record, 3.05 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and three shutouts … Nominated as the top goaltender in the AJHL and was named team MVP during the 2022-23 season … Began the year with Lloydminster, posting a 9-14-1 mark, 3.37 GAA and .906 save% in 25 games … Finished the year with Camrose and went 11-8-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .915 save% … Started all four games for the Kodiaks in the 2023 AJHL Playoffs (0-4, 3.84 GAA, .888 save%) … Appeared in 17 contests with Lloydminster in the 2021-22 season, going 3-11-2 with a 3.66 GAA and .905 save% … Saw action in one postseason game in 2022 … Helped Airdrie win AMBHL championship in 2017-18.
Personal: Son of Dan and Nicole Halyk … Has two older brothers, Max and Theo, and a younger sister, Elle … Graduated from Renert High School in 2021 … Intends to major in finance at DU … Career goals are to win a national championship at Denver and play in the NHL … Hobbies include pickleball, chess, reading and playing cards … Helped run his high school’s chess club as a senior.
Why DU: “I chose the University of Denver because the school excels in both hockey and academics. The coaches are second to none and the campus and city are beautiful.”
Sam Harris | Forward | San Diego, California
6-0 | 190 lbs. | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
NHL: Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in Round 5 (No. 133 overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Before Denver: Spent the previous two seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, combining for 91 points (46g/45a) in 116 games … Recorded career highs with 30 goals, 26 assists and 56 points in 56 games with the Stampede during the 2022-23 campaign … Tied for eighth in the USHL in goals during the year … Had 35 points (16g/19a) in 60 USHL contests in 2021-22 … Spent three years with Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Faribault, Minn., recording 30 or more points each season … Had 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in 2020-21 with SSM … Scored two goals in six games and helped the United States win gold at the 2022 World Jr. A Challenge … Product of the San Diego Jr. Gulls and played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks in 2017-18 … Competed in the 2015 Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament with the San Diego Jr. Gulls.
Personal: Son of Steve and Angie Harris … Has a younger sister, AnaBelle … Father, Steve, was a reserve for the Canadian show jumping team for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics … Graduated high school in 2021 from Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep … Named to the high school honor roll several times for having a 3.8 GPA or better … Intends to major in marketing/business at DU … Career goals include winning a national championship and DU and to play in the NHL after college … Hobbies include golf, going to the beach and hanging out with friends …
Why DU: “DU felt like home as soon as I came here for the first time. Between hockey and school, I don’t see a better place for me to pursue my dreams.”
Peter Lajoy | Forward | Evergreen, Colorado
5-7 | 165 lbs. | Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL)
Before Denver: Played in the North American Hockey League from 2020 to 2023 with Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, Wichita Falls Warriors and Bismarck Bobcats … Served as an alternate captain for Danbury in both 2021-22 and 2022-23 … Had four points (2g/2a) and 86 penalty minutes in 37 games with Danbury in 2022-23 … Split 2021-22 with Wichita Falls (2g/3a in 17 GP) and Danbury (1g/4a in 22 GP) … Started his NAHL career in 2020-21 with Bismarck, playing four games (0g/1a) before finishing the year with 13 contests with Wichita (0g/3a) … Played four seasons of prep hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minn., helping his team reach nationals three years in a row, win the St. Andrews College McPherson Cup in 2019-20 and a No. 1 national ranking that season before the remainder of the year was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic … Registered a career-high 40 points (17g/21a) in 2018-19 with Shattuck … Had a personal-best 21 goals in 2017-18 with SSM … Product of the Colorado Thunderbirds organization and competed at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament in 2015 with the T-Birds.
Personal: Son of Edward and Kristen Lajoy … Has an older brother, Luc … Father played football at Arkansas and mother played women’s hockey at Skidmore … Hobbies include golf, spear fishing, deep sea fishing, wakeboarding, hiking and mountain biking … Intends to major in construction management and real estate development at DU … Would like to work in the construction side of real estate development after college … Graduated from Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota in 2020 … Made the honor roll in high school as a junior and senior … Runner-up in high school for his senior initiative project—helping to raise money and awareness for the Clean Water Act … Volunteered for four years in Hands Across Faribault and for the School for the Deaf in Minnesota … Also volunteered for the sled hockey club of Colorado by helping on the ice and raising money by collecting clothes for the clothes drive.
Why DU: “When I was 8 years I attended my first DU hockey camp, and it became my goal to always be a Pio.”
Miko Matikka | Forward | Helsinki, Finland
6-3 | 201 lbs. | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
NHL: Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in Round 3 (No. 67 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Before Denver: Split the 2022-23 campaign between the Madison Capitols and Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL, finishing tied for 19th in the league with 55 total points (27g/28a) … Started the season by tallying 16 goals and adding 19 assists for 35 points in 28 games with Madison before being acquired by Waterloo in a trade on Jan. 15 and registering 20 points (11g/9a) in 30 contests … Appeared in three USHL postseason outings for the Black Hawks … Registered 33 points with 19 goals and 14 assists in 30 regular-season games for Jokerit’s U20 junior squad in 2021-22 … Also appeared in two postseason contests … Played 19 contests with Jokerit junior in 2020-21, registering 15 points (7g/8a), and tallied three goals in two contests with the club’s U18 squad that year … Represented Finland in seven games and had four points (1g/3a) at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship … Had 29 goals and 25 assists for 54 points in 46 outings with Jokerit’s U18 team in 2019-20 … Won a silver medal in 2018-19 while playing for Jokerit’s U16 club … Attended the Arizona Coyotes’ summer development camp in 2022 and 2023.
Personal: Son of Matti and Mari Matikka … Has a sister, Milli … Graduated high school from PHYK in 2022 … Also likes to play basketball … Ranked No. 32 among international skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2022 draft.
Why DU: “It’s the best hockey team in college. Getting a chance to be part of a team with this much history is something that doesn’t happen too often, and I really appreciate the opportunity.”
Alex Weiermair | Forward | Los Angeles, California
6-1 | 197 lbs. | U.S. Under-18 Team (NTDP)
Before Denver: Spent the previous two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program … Recorded 26 points (11g/15a) in 55 games with U.S. Under-18 Team in 2022-23 and totaled nine points (4g/5a) in 23 USHL contests during the campaign … Had 23 points (14g/9a) in 52 total contests and had 12 points (9g/3a) in 35 USHL outings with the Under-17 squad and in 2021-22 … Played with Seascoast Performance Academy 2020-21 and Toronto Titans in 2018-19 and 2019-20 … Power Edge Pro Ambassador since 2018 … 2019 OHF All-Ontario champion … World Selects Player of the Year in 2019 … Helped the U.S. NTDP win the 2022 Pittsburgh Fall Classic … Served as an alternate on the United States’ gold-medal team at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship … Internationally, also helped USA to gold medals at the 2021 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in Finland and 2022 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament in Michigan … Earned a pair of silver medals at the 2021 Four Nations Tournament in Slovakia and 2023 Four Nations Tournament in Finland.
Personal: Son of Robert and Brenda Weiermair … Wants to play in the NHL and win the Stanley Cup … Plays the piano and has also played the violin, ukulele and cello … Enjoys being nature and hiking, skiing and fishing … Also speaks German and a little French … Studied at the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts for eight years … Has also played soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, tennis, fencing and track and field … Likes to read and enjoy topics of math, science and history … Mentored Learn-to-Skate programs and volunteered at the Salvation Army, food banks and other community events … Attended Upper Canada College school … Graduated high school and year and a half year with a 4.0 grade-point average … Earned academic honor roll each year of high school … Headmaster Scholar Award and Groton High School Applicant in 2020 … One of 15 candidates selected to be a Lang Scholar, Upper Canada College in May 2021 … Ranked No. 120 among North American Skates for the 2023 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Why DU: “The school offers me the opportunity to pursue my goals in the classroom, on the piano and on the ice.”
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