Men's Hockey Announces 11 Newcomers
7/13/2023
Head coach Brendan Whittet ’94 has announced the 11-member incoming class ahead of the 2023-24 season. The newcomers are split between nine freshmen and two sophomores and include five forwards, three defensemen, and three goaltenders.
“I am excited to announce the addition of our 11 incoming recruits to the Brown Hockey Family,” said Whittet. “Each one of them comes with a history of excellence on the ice and in the classroom and they all bring elements of their game that will integrate seamlessly with our outstanding returning group.
“I'm looking forward to working with them and chasing down Championships together.”
Scroll to find an in-depth look at each newcomer.
Griffen Barr
D | 6-0 | 200 | R
Nanaimo, B.C. | Vernon (BCHL)
- Spent the last three seasons with the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers
- Posted three goals and 18 points in 38 games in 2022-23 after four goals and 19 points in 53 games in 2021-22
- Graduated from Shawnigan Lake School and was named team MVP as a senior after 42 points in 36 games.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of its great ability to allow me to pursue my passions in public health and ice hockey.”
Matthew Brille
F | 5-10 | 180 | R
Bethesda, Md. | Chippewa Falls (NAHL)
- Captained the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel in 2022-23 and recorded 15 goals and 36 points in 44 games
- Recorded 10 goals and 24 points in 51 games with Chippewa in 2021-22
- Played hockey and lacrosse at the Landon School and was a First Honor Roll student at Landon.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because it allows me to continue both my academic and athletic careers at the highest level at a school that I fell in love with.”
Mike Cataldo
F | 6-1 | 200 | R
Norfolk, Mass. | Bonnyville (AJHL)
- Spent the 2022-23 season with the Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
- Posted 15 goals and 36 points in 60 games played and added two goals and four points in 14 playoff games
- Spent three seasons at St. Sebastian’s School where he earned the Jack Doherty Coaches Award, the Most Gentlemanly Player Award, and was an ISL Honorable Mention Selection.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown to continue my education at a world-class academic school and play Division I hockey.”
Stephen Chen
G | 6-0 | 170 | L-C
Beijing, China | The Hun School (USHS)
- Played at the Hun School of Princeton and the Mercer Chiefs (AAA) over the last two seasons
- Recorded a 2.33 goals against average and .931 save percentage in 10 games at the Hun School in 2021-22
- Represented China at the U20 World Championship Division 2B and recorded a 1.33 goals against average and .959 save percentage with three wins to help China earn a promotion to the next Division.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown for the unparalleled academic freedom and great campus environment.”
Tyler Kopff
F | 6-4 | 205 | L
Ridgewood, N.J. | Coquitlam (BCHL)
- Spent the last two seasons with the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express
- Recorded 21 goals and 52 points in 54 games in 2022-23 and 41 points in 53 games in 2021-22
- High honor roll student at Ridgewood High School (N.J.) and was a First Team All-Bergen County hockey selection.
Why Brown: “It’s an amazing and illustrious school and I believe in the hockey program’s future as well as its ability to prepare its players to play professional hockey.”
Ethan Mistry
D | 5-10 | 175 | L
Toronto, Ont. | Nanaimo (BCHL)
- Spent the last two seasons with the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers
- Recorded 11 goals and 47 assists for 58 points in 54 games in 2022-23 and added nine points in 12 playoff games
- Spent the 2019-20 season at Milton Academy (Mass.) and was named team MVP.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because I want to further my athletic career while simultaneously setting myself up for success in the professional world. Brown gives me the best opportunity to do so.”
Alex Pineau
D | 6-3 | 205 | R
Thunder Bay, Ont. | Des Moines (USHL)
- Spent the 2022-23 season with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers
- Played in 56 games with eight points
- Split the 2021-22 season between the CCHL’s Ottawa Jr. Senators and the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness and recorded a combined 24 points in 50 games between the two teams
- Played baseball and basketball at Hammarskjold High School and was a four-year honor roll student.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because when I visited, I felt comfortable there and like I belonged. I believe it is the ideal spot for me to pursue my hockey dreams, with a great program and coaches, as well as get a chance to attend one of the top academic schools in the country.”
Max Scott
F | 6-0 | 185 | L
San Jose, Calif. | North Iowa (NAHL)
- Captained the North Iowa Bulls (NAHL) in 2022-23 and posted 22 goals and 48 points in 59 games
- Played 41 games with North Iowa in 2021-22 with 27 points and added 13 games with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars
- Played hockey and lacrosse at Lake Forest Academy and was named Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and junior at Lake Forest.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because it provides an exceptional place for students-athletes like myself to flourish both in sport and education. It presents a remarkable opportunity through high level education to help create a supportive environment for myself to be successful throughout my entire life; as well as offering an excellent men's ice hockey program to be a part of while in school. Brown provides numerous possibilities for growth through education and athletics.”
Tyler Shea
G | 5-11 | 170 | L-C
Stevenson Ranch, Calif. | Michigan (B1G)
- Spent the 2022-23 season with the Michigan Wolverines, falling to Quinnipiac in the National Semifinal. Dressed as a forward in Michigan’s game against Minnesota in November
- Played the 2021-22 season with the BCHL’s Wenatchee Wild and posted a 2.58 goals against average and .904 save percentage with 17 wins
- Played two seasons with the NAHL’s Austin Bruins, posting save percentages of .922 and .914 in 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively
- Graduated with honors from West Ranch High School and competed with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of the environment it provides to excel within its solidified hockey program and prestigious schooling.”
Ryan St. Louis
F | 5-10 | 170 | L
Old Greenwich, Conn. | Dubuque (USHL)
- Spent the 2022-23 season with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Recorded 30 goals and 72 points to lead the team in scoring and rank fifth in the league in scoring
- Played 38 games in 2021-22 at Northeastern University
- Spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program, skating in over 100 games (2019-21).
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because it made sense all around with great academic and hockey programs.”
Lawton Zacher
G | 6-2 | 175 | L-C
Buffalo, N.Y. | Minot (NAHL)
- Spent the 2022-23 season with the NAHL’s Minot Minotauros and posted a 2.58 goals against average and .920 save percentage in 29 games along with three shutouts.
- Spent previous two seasons at the Nichols School in Buffalo and recorded a .948 save percentage in 2020-21 and a .931 mark in 2021-22 with a combined 30-13-5 record.
- Played soccer, lacrosse, and squash at Nichols and was a two-time Western New York First Team All-Catholic selection in lacrosse.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of the education and the constant growth within their programs. I’m excited to be a part of the interest that Brown is taking in hockey and help push the program towards the Frozen Four.”
