TEMPE -- The Arizona State men's ice hockey team wrapped up their 2016 Signing Day with four players committing to play for the Devils in their first full NCAA Division I season in 2016-17.
Forwards Tyler Busch, Steenn Pasichnuk and Riley Simpson along with defesemen Brinson Pasichnuk and Jakob Stridsberg make it eight total signees along with forwards Georgy Gorodetsky, Brett Gruber and goaltender Joey Daccord from November's signing day.
"We are obviously really excited for this class for a lot of reasons," said head coach Greg Powers. "While we're still in the early stages of our program, we believe we found a core group here that can help us right away, and most importantly, a class that believes in our vision and what "Being the Tradition" is all about here at Arizona State. These guys are not only very good hockey players, but they are culture builders."
2016-17 Signing Class
Brinson Pasichnuk
Defenseman | 6' 0" | 185lbs
Bonnyville, AB, Canada (Bonnyville Pontiacs - AJHL)
- Ranked #115 on NHL's Draft Prospect List
- Only AJHL player to make NHL Draft Prospect List
- 65 points in 52 games as a defenseman in 2015-16
- Played for Canada West U19 team
- "Brinson is a superstar," said head coach Greg Powers. "He’s obviously rated in central scouting and very likely going to be drafted, so hopefully Brinson will be our third NHL draft pick on our first full-year team, which is pretty good. If you would’ve told me that we’d have that when we started I would’ve taken it in a heartbeat and I don’t think anyone’s ever had that. We’re excited about that, we’re excited about Brinson, he’s a two-way guy, he’s a power play guy, he’s tough. He has a compete level that honestly I’ve never seen. He’s that hard and competitive. He’s a difference maker for us and could be a kid that changes the course of our program, he’s that good."
As the only AJHL player ranked on the @NHL's prospect list, Brinson scored 65pts in 52 games last year...as a d-man! pic.twitter.com/vaWpkLPm57
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 13, 2016
Tyler Busch
Forward | 6' 3" | 195lbs
Lloydminster, AB, Canada (Spruce Grove Saints - AJHL)
- Captain of the Spruce Grove Saints in 2015-16
- Tallied 68 points in 52 games, 11 points in 9 playoff games in 2015-16
- Played for Canada West U19 team for 2014-16
- "He’s the ultimate team guy," said Powers. "He’s the ultimate captain. He was the Alberta Junior League’s Most Dedicated Player and that’s an award that’s given to a kid that’s most dedicated to his organization and his teammates. Then when you add on the fact that he’s just a 200-foot centerman with size, speed and skating ability, he’s probably the most well-rounded player that we’ve been able to land as a recruit to date. He is absolutely a huge piece of what our future holds."
Here's what to expect from new #SunDevil forward @BuschLeagueTen! #BetheTradition 👀 pic.twitter.com/6vs4tMbRKb
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 13, 2016
Steenn Pasichnuk
Forward | 6' 4" | 212lbs
Bonnyville, AB, Canada (Bonnyville Pontiacs - AJHL)
- Captain of the Bonnyville Pontiacs for 2014-15 & 2015-16
- Brother of Brinson, other 2016-17 commit
- Averaged a point per game during 2015-16
- "Steenn is another incredible character guy," said Powers. "If you talk to anyone in Bonnyville, they’ll say that he was their captain. They’ll say that he really changed and developed their new culture and mindset where they expect to win now. That’s what drew me to him more than anybody because he’s going to need to do that here. He’s a great locker room guy. He’ll play in any role you ask. He can play down the middle, he can play in the wing, he can play defense and he’s big and he’s mean. He’s just a kid that we’re thrilled that we get to build around for four years."
The @BPontiacs captain tallied 49 points in 49 games in 2015-16! This ought to show you how... #ASUSigningDay pic.twitter.com/fqhy3tCxqd
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 13, 2016
Jakob Stridsberg
Defenseman | 6' 1" | 190lbs
Jönköping, Sweden (Fairbanks Ice Dogs - NAHL)
- 3rd-highest point total in NAHL during 2015-16 season
- Totaled 12 goals and 33 assists in 45 games
- Played for HV71 from 2010-14 in the SHL, which is the top tier of hockey in Sweden
- "I went to the NAHL top prospects and he was the top d-man scorer in that league at the time and I couldn’t believe he was still available," said Powers. "When I found out why he was and the logistics behind it, we made it happen and we’re just thrilled we got him. He’s a kid that will be ready to contribute immediately. He’s older, he’s bigger, he’s polished and he’s just really good."
In two years with NAHL's @fbx_IceDogs, Stridsberg tallied 22 goals and 57 assists from the blue line! #ASUSigningDay pic.twitter.com/MoJphyZ5iI
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 13, 2016
Joey Daccord
Goaltender | 6' 3" | 200lbs
North Andover, Mass. (Muskegon Lumberjacks - USHL)
- Drafted in 7th round, 199 overall in 2015 NHL Draft by Ottawa Senators
- Drawn comparisons to NHL goaltender Cory Schneider
- Ranked 9th in the USHL in wins with 21 in 2015-16
- Eliteprospects.com: "A modern battlefly style goalie who displays elite-level positioning and athleticism. Has very good size for a goaltender; paired with his positioning, he can be very difficult to beat. An impressive skater who handles and plays the puck proficiently; in general, uses the goal stick actively ... All-in-all an athletic goaltender that knows how to shut the door and elevate his level of play; as a result, Joey Daccord gives his team a chance to win every night."
- "Joey was one of our very first commits when we announced and we knew how big time he was," said Powers. "He was rated, probably was going to get drafted and he was in prep school. We were just excited he came out on a recruiting trip. It was really at the stage where we only had one official visit before he came out and we didn’t have an office set up -- we didn’t have anything. I was working out of a Starbucks right after we announced. We were just kind of flying by the seat of our pants, but Joey believed in our vision and he’s had a tremendous year in the USHL and has been the glue for that organization in a pretty tough year. He’s had to really stand tall and gotten really good development. He’s another kid like Brinson that has the ability and the raw talent to put us on the map sooner than anyone expects and really put us on the right course of being a championship program."
Daccord draws comparisons to @NJDevils goalie Corey Schneider & was drafted by the @Senators in 2015! #ASUSigningDay pic.twitter.com/TDitu5ti5A
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 13, 2016
Georgy Gorodetsky
Forward | 6' 1" | 196lbs
Yekaterinburg, Russia (Des Moines Buccaneers - USHL)
- Tallied 32 points in 55 games for Des Moines in 2015-16; 7-27-34 in 2014-15
- Ranked 69th in scoring out of all USHL forwards in 15-16
- Played for the Russian U20 National Team in 2014
- "Georgy is an incredibly skilled forward with good size who can score and really shoot the puck -- he can make plays," said Powers. "We lacked this past year -- the really high level elite skill and adding him to the fold is going to be invaluable immediately. He’s a big time player."
Gorodetsky was the 1st non-North American player to join the #SunDevils & is joined by Stridsberg as the only two! pic.twitter.com/7q25xDzrZ6
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 13, 2016
Brett Gruber
Forward | 5' 8" | 175lbs
Appleton, Wisc. (Green Bay Gamblers - USHL)
- Earned 35 points in 60 games with the Gamblers in 2015-16
- Played for the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies in 2014-15, totaling 67 points in 57 games
- Ranked 58th in scoring of all USHL forwards in 15-16
- "He’s one of our first commits overall," said Powers. "He’s been committed now for almost two years. He played in the BCHL and was runner up for Rookie of the Year in 2014-15 with 71 points that year. He was a high USHL draft pick -- second overall for his hometown team Green Bay and he’s been really good for them. He's a top six guy, power play guy and another kid who is just an incredible teammate. His character is something that in addition to his skillset we’re going to build around. He’s going to be really good for us."
Gruber tallied 35 points in 60 games last year with @GamblersHockey & was one of the first #SunDevil commits! pic.twitter.com/uACF9YIhFo
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 13, 2016
Riley Simpson
Forward | 5' 10" | 165lbs
Edmonton, AB, Canada (Spruce Grove Saints - AJHL)
- Tallied over a point-per-game with Spruce Grove in 2015-16, totaling 49 points (20-29) in 47 games
- Compiled another two goals and six assists in 13 playoff games as well
- Played just over two and a half seasons with Spruce Grove
- Father is 10-year NHL veteran Craig Simpson, who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres totaling 497 points in 634 games
- His brother, Dillon, is currently playing in the AHL for the Bakersfield Condors after being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of 2011 NHL Draft
We'd like to officially welcome @RileySimpson18, teammate of fellow commit @BuschLeagueTen, to the #SunDevil family! pic.twitter.com/1taZuXMtBs
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 27, 2016