WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross men's hockey head coach David Berard has announced the addition of eight players for the class of 2024. The incoming class features one goalie, four forwards, and three defensemen.
 
"We are very excited to welcome this incoming class of student-athletes to Holy Cross," said Berard.  "This group of eight players provides valuable talent, size, and depth at every position on our team. We have added a group that also possesses the intangible qualities of leadership, character and commitment. They will enhance our culture and make a significant impact from day one.  We are delighted that Jack, Mike, Alec, Lucas, Jack, Jake, Ryan and Thomas have made the decision to join us and look forward to their arrival in the fall."
 
Take a look at the incoming class:
 
Alec Cicero | F | 5-10 | 180 | Williamsville, N.Y./ Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)

• Played two seasons for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)
• Ranks in the top 10 in OJHL scoring with 56 points from 26 goals and 30 assists in 42 games played in the 2019-20 season
• Captained the team in the 2019-20 season
• Was named the OJHL Player of the Month
• In 93 games played with the Sabres, recorded 42 goals and 40 assists for 82 points

 
Thomas Gale | G | 6-0 | 180 | Kirkland, Quebec/ Boston Jr. Bruins (USPHL)

• Played the 2019-20 season for the Boston Jr. Bruins (USPHL)
• Played in 40 games for a .937 save percentage for the Jr. Bruins in the 2019-20 season
• Named the NCDC Player of the Month (Dec. 2019)
• Selected as an NCDC All-Star in 2020
• Played three seasons of varsity hockey at Deerfield
• Captained the team in his senior season
• An All-NEPSAC team selection in his junior and senior campaigns
• Named the team's MVP in 2019
• Earned the Flood Marr MVP in 2016
• Recipient of the William B. Jaffe Award
• Led his team to a 2016 Flood Marr Championship

 
Jake Higgins | D | 6-2 | 205 | Hingham, Mass./ Deerfield Academy (USHS-Prep)

• Played the 2019-20 season for Deerfield Academy
• Played four seasons of varsity hockey at Hingham High School
• Captained the team in his senior season at Hingham
• Named to the Boston Herald "Dream Team" in 2018 and 2019
• Earned the team's Sportsmanship Award in 2018
• Selected to the Buddy Ferreira Classic All-Tournament team in 2018 and 2019
• Played 56 games for Hingham and recorded 16 goals and 44 assists for 60 points

 
Michael Kane | F | 6-0 | 190 | Guilford, Conn./ Jersey Hitmen (USPHL)

• Played for the New Jersey Hitmen (USPHL)
• In 34 games played in the 2019-20 season, recorded eight goals and three assists for 11 points
• Led his team to a NCDC Regular Season championship in 2019
• Played 47 games and tallied 26 points from 12 goals and 14 assists
• Played two seasons of varsity hockey for the New Hampton School (NEPSAC)
• Led his team to two NEPSAC small school semifinal appearances (2017, 2018)
• Played 68 games for New Hampton and tallied 40 goals and 34 assists for 74 points

 
Ryan Pineault | D | 5-9 | 160 | Glastonbury, Conn./ Westminster Prep (USHS-Prep)

• Played four years of varsity hockey for Westminster School
• Captained the team in his senior season
• Led his team to a 2017 Flood Marr runner-up finish
• Took his team to a 2019 Founders League championship
• Played club hockey for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs
• Served as a team captain for the Jr. Bulldogs
• Led his team to qualify for three USA Hockey National Championship

 
Jack Ricketts | F | 6-1 | 185 | Oakville, Ontario/ Oakville Blades (OJHL)

• Played for the Oakville Blades (OJHL) for three seasons
• Ranks in the top five in scoring in the OJHL for the 2019-20 season, with 61 points in 42 games (24-37-61)
• Captained the team for three seasons
• Named the team's Unsung Hero (2018)
• Led his team to the OJHL Buckland Cup championship, Dudley Hewitt Cup championship, and a National Jr. A Championship appearance in the 2018-19 season
• Played in 173 games for the Blades and tallied 58 goals and 68 assists for 126 points

 
Jack Robilotti | D | 6-3 | 194 | New York, N.Y./ Fargo Force (USHL)

• Played the 2019-20 season for the Fargo Force (USHL)
• In 33 games played in Fargo, recorded seven assists
• Played four games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) in the 2018-19 season
• Played four seasons of varsity hockey for South Kent School
• Captained the team in the 2018-19 season
• Led his team to a 2019 USA Hockey U18 National Championship

 
Lucas Thorne | F | 6-0 | 185 | Dunville, Ontario/ Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)

• Played three seasons for the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the AJHL
• Ranks in the top 10 in scoring in the AJHL in the 2019-20 season, with 68 points in 45 games from 27 goals and 41 assists
• Served as an assistant captain in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons
• Named the team's Top Defensive Forward (2018-19)
• In the 2017-18 season, named the team's Top Scorer, Three Star Award, and Most Improved Player
• Named to the AJHL All-North Rookie team in 2018
• Selected to the AJHL All-Academic team in 2018-19
• Played 159 games for the Pontiacs and tallied 57 goals and 84 assists for 141 career points
• Played two seasons of varsity hockey at St. Andrew's College
• Won the Ann Perrier Award and the Community Service Award in 2017
• Led his team to a 2016 CISAA Championship and 2017 NESEC Championship
• Played 147 games at St. Andrew's and scored 63 goals, 79 assists for 142 career points