After a shortened postseason this past winter, the Robert Morris men’s hockey team has regrouped and added eight freshmen and a transfer to its roster for the 2020-21 season.

As the Colonials look to reach the postseason once again, they will have five new forwards, two defensemen, a goaltender, along with a transfer forward to complete this year’s incoming class.

David Lafrance (D)-

With the departures of Sean Giles and Alex Robert on the blue line, Lafrance will be thrown into the mix amongst the returning Colonials defensemen. Lafrance joins the red, white, and blue after spending parts of three seasons with the Rockland Nationals of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL).

In the past two seasons, Lafrance amassed 43 points, while scoring seven goals in 102 games. In the future, Lafrance will be a valuable asset on both the power play and penalty kill.

Brian Kramer (D)-

Joining Lafrance, Kramer adds to the long list of local players who have suited up for Robert Morris. Kramer hails from Wexford, PA, and played last season with the Fargo Force in the USHL. Kramer could be a positive blue-liner for the Colonials after posting a plus-11 rating last year in Fargo.

Gavin Gulash (F)-

Gulash is a native of Red Bank, New Jersey, near where he played his previous three seasons of hockey for the New Jersey Junior Titans of the NAHL. In all three seasons, Gulash registered double-digit goal totals, along with 94 total points. His ability to find the back of the net will be highly important to the Colonials’ offense for years to come.

Randy Hernández (F)-

Hernández brings an intriguing résumé to the table as he has played across North America, including parts of three seasons with U.S. National U17 and U18 teams. In the past two years, Hernández skated for the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL.

In the 2019-20 campaign, Hernández put together a magnificent stat line with 42 goals, 53 assists, and 95 points, all in just 57 games of work. Scoring came at a premium last year for the Colonials, and Hernández may be the player they need to drastically improve that facet of the game.

Hernández was featured in an article on NHL.com written by William Douglas earlier this month.

Matthew Guerra (F)-

Guerra played his past two seasons in the NAHL with the Lone Star Brahmas, as he put up 53 and 63 points in those two years respectively. Guerra has the ability to be a playmaker on this Colonials offense after registering back-to-back 40 assist campaigns.

Kyler Head (F)-

Head joins RMU tied as the second tallest player on the roster standing at 6’4”. His physical prowess and play will make him a unique player on this team. Head played alongside Gulash on the New Jersey Junior Titans where he put up a total of 73 points in 130 career games for the Junior Titans.

Matt Hutton (F)-

Hutton played a majority of the past two seasons with Odessa Jackalopes of the NAHL where he served as the captain in 2019-20. Hutton’s leadership experience will be of value to the Colonials during his RMU career. Hutton represented the Jackalopes in the 2020 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.

Jordan Timmons (F)-

Timmons is the lone transfer of the Colonials’ incoming class. The junior forward is from South Fayette, PA, and played his last two seasons with the University of Connecticut. Timmons dressed in 36 games for UConn and registered two total points. Timmons looks to make improvements closer to home with RMU.

Noah West (G)-

West completes a goalie trio for the Colonials, joining Reid Cooper and Dylan Lubbesmeyer. In his past two seasons with the Jamestown Rebels of the NAHL, he posted 27 wins with five shutouts while averaging a 2.25 goals-against average.

As the start date for Atlantic Hockey nears, the Colonials have geared up with the newest additions to their program for the upcoming season.