St. Thomas is entering the new college hockey season with hopes of converting last year’s narrow CCHA final defeat into a championship run. The program’s latest incoming class brings a mix of junior-league experience, leadership roles and a handful of players who showed significant year-to-year improvement — additions the team will count on as it tries to get past the final hurdle.
Freshmen add depth and varied experience
Coming off a season that ended with a CCHA final loss to Minnesota State, St. Thomas appears to be bolstering its roster with recruits who have substantial junior-level minutes and leadership backgrounds. Observers note the program’s rapid rise: only a few years after a three-win season, the Tommies were competing for a conference title. The incoming class is pitched as part of the continuity and reinforcement that could push the team further.
Key additions include:
- Collard — five seasons in the QMJHL with three teams; consistent ironman who logged at least 60 games each year and played 36 combined playoff games across his final two seasons; served as captain in his only season with the Armada and produced 16 goals and 41 points.
- Hawkins — transitioned from the USHL’s Waterloo Blackhawks to the OHL and played one season with the Knights; in 61 games he had nine goals and 23 points after a high-school background at Shattuck St. Mary’s.
- Henry — a 2024 sixth-round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks who showed significant scoring improvement before missing an entire season due to an injury sustained at an NHL development camp.
- Potulny — son of former University of Minnesota captain Grant Potulny; posted a jump from 10 points in 2024–25 to 39 points in 2025–26 and split time between Lone Star and El Paso.
- Huff — served as an assistant captain in Cedar Rapids, bringing formal leadership experience to the locker room.
What these recruits mean for St. Thomas
The composition of the class addresses multiple needs. Players with extensive junior playoff experience and previous captaincy roles bring maturity and a professional approach to practise and preparation. Those who posted marked statistical improvements suggest upside and the potential to invigorate the Tommies’ forward lines and special teams.
"They’re right on the cusp of something great."
That sentiment, often heard around the program after last season’s run, points to expectation as much as it does to pressure. For coaches and supporters, the immediate task is integrating these newcomers without disrupting the culture that has lifted St. Thomas so quickly in the conference standings.
| Player | Background | Notable fact |
|---|---|---|
| Collard | QMJHL (five seasons) | Armada captain; 16 goals, 41 points in final Armada season |
| Hawkins | USHL → OHL (Waterloo Blackhawks → Knights) | 61 games, nine goals, 23 points |
| Henry | Drafted by Chicago Blackhawks, 2024 | Missed an entire season due to injury after development camp |
| Potulny | Junior pro leagues (Lone Star, El Paso) | Scored 39 points in 2025–26 (up from 10 the prior year) |
| Huff | Cedar Rapids | Assistant captain |
Local context and the road ahead
For fans in St. Thomas, the program’s trajectory has been a source of civic pride. The infusion of recruits with leadership and playoff experience is likely to be welcomed by supporters who want to see the team build on last season’s momentum. Practically, integrating several new players will be a coaching challenge: roles must be defined, chemistry established and physical readiness assessed — particularly for those returning from injury.
How quickly the newcomers adjust during preseason and whether they can provide immediate scoring depth or steadiness on special teams will shape expectations. While recruitment alone does not guarantee a title, the class adds tangible options for a team intent on moving beyond a near miss and into championship territory.
As the Tommies prepare for training camp and exhibition play, attention in St. Thomas will centre on how these freshmen fit into established lines and whether the club can sustain the consistency that carried it to the CCHA final last season.
