Men's Hockey Announces Nine-Member Incoming Class
7/9/2025
Brown men's hockey head coach Brendan Whittet '94 has announced the nine-member Class of 2028, split between six incoming freshmen and three transfer additions. There are five forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie in the class.
“I would like to welcome all our new players to the Brown Hockey Family,” said Brendan Whittet ’94, the Jeannette and Richard Given Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach. “It’s an accomplished group of individuals that, when added collectively, will provide impactful and meaningful contributions to a program that is on an upward trajectory.
“We have worked hard to create a team that thrives on work, competition, resilience, and energy. This incoming group has those character traits ingrained in their DNA, which will allow them to seamlessly and successfully integrate into Brown and our program.”
Scroll to find an in-depth look at each new Bear below.
Ashton Bynum
#10 | 6-4 | 200 | Defense | L | Celina, Texas | Austin (NAHL)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the last three seasons with the NAHL’s Austin Bruins … Posted 10 goals and 30 points in 47 games in 2024-25 … Registered eight points in nine playoff games in his final season in Austin.
PERSONAL: Son of Rodney and Tonia Bynum … Has two older siblings, Tyler and Bailey … Chose Brown for the top-tier education and opportunities along with the hockey program.
Matthew Cataldo
#21 | 6-0 | 205 | Forward | L | Norfolk, Mass. | Penticton (BCHL)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the 2024-25 season with the Penticton Vees (BCHL) … Registered eight goals and 31 points in 54 games … Played three seasons at St. Sebastian’s … Compiled 22 goals and 47 points in 27 games in 2023-24.
PERSONAL: Son of Joseph and Wendy Cataldo … Joins brother, Mike, on the Brown team … Enjoys golf … Chose Brown for the world-class education and hockey program.
Matt Desiderio
#24 | 6-3 | 210 | Defense | L | North Caldwell, N.J. | Dubuque (USHL)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the last two seasons with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints … Served as assistant captain in 2024-25 and registered 14 goals and 38 points in 62 games … Recorded 14 points in 46 games with Dubuque in 2023-24 … Spent the 2022-23 season with the NAHL’s Austin Bruins … Recipient of the NAHL Academic Achievement Award in 2022-23 … Played high school hockey at Bergen Catholic and earned Second Team All-State honors in 2021-22.
PERSONAL: Son of Darren Desiderio and Jennifer Strom … Has two siblings, Rebecca and Nicholas … Lists his mom as his biggest influence … Enjoys golf and surfing … Chose Brown for the mix between academics and athletics.
Owen Dyer
#16 | 6-3 | 225 | Defense | R | Clarkston, Mich. | Des Moines (USHL)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the last two seasons with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) … Captained the team in 2024-25 and posted six points in 61 games … Spent the 2022-23 season with the NAHL’s Oklahoma Warriors and the 2021-22 season with the NAHL’s Wichita Falls Warriors … NAHL South Academic Achievement Award recipient.
PERSONAL: Son of John and Meg Dyer … Has one brother, Ian, whom he lists as his biggest influence … Chose Brown for the great combination of academics and athletics.
Fred Halyk
#1 | 6-6 | 225 | Goalie | L-C | Calgary, Alta. | Denver (NCHC)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the last two seasons at the University of Denver (NCHC) … Posted a 2.08 goals against average and .915 save percentage in nine games in 2024-25 … Won the National Championship with the Pioneers in 2023-24 … Compiled a 10-6-0 record at Denver … Split the 2022-23 season between the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats and Camrose Kodiaks.
PERSONAL: Son of Dan and Nicole Halyk … Has three siblings: Max, Theo, and Ellie … Enjoys chess and pickleball … Lists his parents as his biggest influences … Chose Brown for the stellar academic reputation and hockey program.
Trip Pendy
#11 | 6-1 | 200 | Forward | L | Far Hills, N.J. | Coquitlam (BCHL)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the 2024-25 season with the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express … Posted seven goals and 32 points in 54 games … Split the 2023-24 season between the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) and Austin Bruins (NAHL) … Played four years at Delbarton and was named the NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a senior.
PERSONAL: Son of Mike and Katarina Pendy … Has two siblings, Max and Charlie … Enjoys fishing and golfing … Lists his dad as his biggest influence … Chose Brown for the combination of academics and athletics.
Ben Poitras
#12 | 6-0 | 190 | Forward | R | Toronto, Ont. | Northeastern (HEA)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the 2024-25 season with the Northeastern Huskies (HEA) … Tallied three points in 31 games … Spent the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers … Registered 53 points in 51 games with Green Bay in 2023-24 and 37 points in 61 games in 2022-23 … Registered a point per game at the Salisbury School in 2021-22.
PERSONAL: Son of Martin Poitras and Alison Jacobs … Has one sister, Annabel … Lists his parents as his biggest influences … Enjoys wake surfing and racquet sports … Chose Brown for the academic and athletic opportunities.
Michael Salandra
#13 | 5-10 | 180 | Forward | R | Pleasantville, N.Y. | Quinnipiac (ECAC)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the 2024-25 season with the Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECAC) … Spent the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with the BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors … Served as an assistant captain in 2023-24 and posted 21 goals and 44 points in 44 games … Chipped in 17 goals and 38 points in 53 games in 2022-23 … Played three seasons at the Brunswick School.
PERSONAL: Son of Mario and Christine Salandra … Has four siblings: Nicholas, Marina, Christina, and Joe … Lists his dad as his biggest influence … Enjoys golf … Chose Brown for the great academics and hockey program.
Brendan Tighe
#14 | 5-11 | 180 | Forward | R | Birmingham, Mich. | Madison (USHL)
BEFORE BROWN: Spent the 2024-25 season with the USHL’s Madison Capitals … Posted seven goals and 12 points in 54 games … Registered 31 points in 27 games at Avon Old Farms in 2023-24 … First Team All-Founders League selection at Avon …
PERSONAL: Son of James and Ingrid Tighe … Father was a member of the cross country and track teams at Boston College … Has three siblings: Ryan, Anderson, and Olsen … Lists his dad as his biggest influence … Enjoys golf … Chose Brown for the coaching staff, campus, and academic opportunities.
