University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Sign Three for 2019-20
11/16/2018 9:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – UConn head coach Mike Cavanaugh announced that the men's hockey program has received National Letters of Intent from student-athletes Carter Berger (North Vancouver, British Columbia), Matej Blümel (Tabor, Czech Republic) and Eric Linell (Great Neck, N.Y.). The newest Huskies are set to come to Storrs for the fall of 2019.
Carter Berger, Defenseman – North Vancouver, British Columbia / Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
Berger is a 6-0 defenseman currently playing in his third season with the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The North Vancouver native has played in 123 games during his time with the Grizzlies and piled up 74 points on 26 goals with 48 assists. This season, he currently leads all BCHL defensemen with 29 points on 12 goals and 17 assists while helping lead a Grizzlies team currently in first place (31pts) in the Island Division of the BCHL standings. In 2017-18, Berger, a left-handed shot, collected 34 points (10g/24a) while leading his team to a first place finish. He had eight points (1g/7a) in 12 playoff games and after the season, was invited to attend the Anaheim Ducks NHL Prospects Camp during the summer
Matej Blümel, Forward – Tabor, Czech Republic / Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Blumel, a 5-11 forward originally from Tabor, Czech Republic, is currently in his second season playing with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United State Hockey League (USHL). In 15 games this season, he has totaled 20 points with 11 goals and nine assists to lead the Black Hawks. In the USHL, Blumel ranks fourth among the top-scorers and is averaging 1.33 points per game as he has helped guide his team to first place (22 pts) in the Western Conference. In 2017-18, Blumel, a left-handed shot, finished with 18 points on eight goals and 10 assists in 50 games played. He has also had four years of international playing experience, starting in 2015-16 playing for the Czech Republic U16 team. Over the last four years, he has played in 57 games for his home country, collecting 35 points on 18 goals and 17 assists. At the 2017-18 World Junior U18 Championships, he had two goals and two assists in seven games.
Eric Linell, Forward – Great Neck, New York / Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Linell is a 6-0, right shot forward playing with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The Great Neck, New York native opened this season with the Surrey Eagles also of the BCHL, scoring five goals with six assists in nine games before being sent to Penticton. He has played in 17 games with the Vees and posted 19 points (10g/9a) helping his team to first place in the Interior Division. His 30 points (15g/15a) this season has him currently eighth among BCHL scorers. In 2017-18, Linell scored 28 goals and had 18 assists in 58 games with the Coquitlam Express. Prior to going to the BCHL, Linell played a season at Choate Rosemary Hall prep school in Connecticut before moving on to the USPHL Premier league and the P.A.L. Junior Islanders. In 2016-17, Linell played 21 games with the Junior Islanders, scoring 15 goals with 13 assists, and split time playing 35 games with Cedar Rapids in the USHL as well.
