2024-25 roster glance: The transfers

Soon after last season ended, Miami was down to 17 players due to transfers and graduations, and portal entry was a serious consideration for several of the key remaining skaters.

But four months after Anthony Noreen took over the RedHawks’ head coaching job, the team released its 30-player roster for 2024-25 – 18 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.

Six of newest players are freshmen. Two are seniors and three graduate seniors. The other two are returning to the team after previous playing multiple seasons for the RedHawks.

“Given the timeframe and given the direct needs we had, I thought we were able to address some areas pretty well,” Noreen said. “We always want to be better, and we always feel like we can do more, but all things considered I think it pieced together pretty well for us.”

Among the graduate seniors, forward Christophe Fillion won a national championship with Quinnipiac in 2023, and Colby Ambrosio advanced to the NCAA title game this spring with Boston College. Fillion netted a career-high 12 goals last season, and Ambrosio – a Colorado fourth-round pick – tallied 66 points in 138 games over four seasons for the Eagles.

Senior Matt Choupani’s Northeastern team qualified for the NCAAs his freshman season for Northeastern, where the forward racked up 43 points in 102 games. Defenseman Conner Hutchison is a three-year starter for Sacred Heart, going 7-27-34 in 73 games.

“I just think it says a lot about the belief in this program, and not, hey, we want to wait and see what happens or maybe when you guys get back on track,” Noreen said. “To have people that were willing to take the leap of faith and come and want to be a part of this thing right now meant the world to us, to me, to our program. I think it says a ton about Miami hockey and the foundation of what’s already been in place for years, of people just believing that this program can get back to what it once was.”

Blueliner Michael Quinn is one of the leading candidates for Miami’s top rookie, as he posted a 6-31-37 line for Fargo, which won the USHL championship this spring. He added eight points in 12 playoff games.

Two of the biggest freshman wild cards are forwards Casper Nassen and Teodor Forssander, both of whom played for Vastra in the Swedish juniors system last season. Forssander led the team with 41 points in 43 games, and Nassen, a 6-feet-4 Boston Bruins pick, went 16-15-31.

Defenseman Nick Donato is back after sitting out last season, as is forward Brian Silver, who played three seasons at Miami before transferring to Augustana for 2023-24.

“I think there’s a really good mix,” Noreen said. “We’ve got some veterans, you’ve got some guys that played in great programs and have a good pedigree of winning, and (guys from) different backgrounds, and you hope it’s a mix that brings more out of everybody, and we’re confident that it will.”

Miami entered last campaign with just 26 players and has typically carried a roster of 27 to 29.

“It’s a little bit probably (higher) than what we’re ultimately going to settle at here as things get going,” Noreen said. “But obviously there were a lot of moving parts early on where, guys came up that we just couldn’t pass on out of the portal, and you get guys like Donato and Silver back. ‘Hutch’ was a late, like last day of the portal (transfer). So we wanted to create as much internal competition as possible. Is the number a little bit high? Yeah, we’d probably to get down to that 28, 27, long-term. But for right now, the competitiveness amongst the group, I think it’s good.”

VFG looks at the newest RedHawks on the 2024-25 Miami roster:

COLBY AMBROSIO

POSITION: Forward.

YEAR: Graduate senior.

HEIGHT: 5-9.

WEIGHT: 182.

SHOOTS: Right.

DOB: 8/7/2002.

HOMETOWN: Welland, Ontario.

2023-24 TEAM: Boston College (NCAA).

GP: 40. G: 2. A: 6. Pts. 8. PIM: 10. Plus-minus: -4.

HISTORY: Ambrosio played the last four seasons at Boston College, racking up 28 goals and 38 assists for 66 points. Prior to college, he was a captain for Noreen in Tri-City, where he found the net 38 times in 105 games. Ambrosio led his T1EHL Buffalo team in goals (36) and points (68) at the Under-16 level. Buried in the depth chart, he was held to eight points last season on a program that boasted four 60-point scorers (including 71 by Will Smith). He’s a fourth-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche.

SCOUTING REPORT: He skates well and stickhandles well, plays bigger than his 5-feet-9 frame and has excellent scoring touch, allowing him to light the lamp many ways. He’s an outstanding defender and plays both the wing and center. Last season, Ambrosio tallied four points in his first five games but was held to just four more his final 35 contests, but even when he’s not scoring, he’s a beast in the faceoff circle, where he won 55 percent of his draws last season. His work ethic and off-ice intangibles are outstanding as well.

WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Ambrosio is expected to log plenty of minutes in his final collegiate season. He has an excellent chance to earn a top-six forward role as well as a spot on the top power play unit. Ambrosio played under Noreen for two seasons at Tri-City, so he should have no trouble adjusting to Miami’s system. With him returning to college, Colorado’s rights to him expired weeks ago, so he’s vying for a pro job in 2025-26 with another NHL team.

NOREEN COMMENT: He’s an electric, skilled, explosive-skating forward who plays with a ton of energy, a ton of pace.

CHRISTOPHE FILLION

POSITION: Forward.

YEAR: Graduate senior.

HEIGHT: 5-10.

WEIGHT: 175.

SHOOTS: Left.

DOB: 6/18/2000.

HOMETOWN: Sherbrooke, Quebec.

2023-24 TEAM: Quinnipiac (NCAA).

GP: 39. G: 12. A: 7. Pts. 19. PIM: 29. Plus-minus: +11.

HISTORY: Fillion was a bit of a late bloomer for a Division I starter, having played just two games at the USHL level by his 19th birthday, but in 55 games with Muskegon he notched 41 points. He joined Quinnipiac in December of his freshman season and dressed for 124 games over the next 3½ years with the Bobcats.

SCOUTING REPORT: Fillion only recorded 15 points his first two seasons but went 7-13-20 as a junior, playing a key role in QU’s national championship run, and he scored a career-best 12 goals in 2023-24 to go along with seven assists for 19 points. He proved he can score in the clutch as well, with three game-winners in 2023-24 and a pair of markers in the NCAA Tournament. He was the first player to commit to Miami this off-season, doing so the day the transfer portal opened.  

WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Having won an NCAA title may be one of Fillion’s biggest attributes. Miami’s biggest opponent at times the past few seasons has been Miami, and bringing in an NCAA champion (as well as Ambrosio, who played in the title game this spring with BC) could do wonders to improve team morale, which has taken a beating recently. Look for Fillion to log major minutes this season at even strength and on the power play, and he can kill penalties as well.

NOREEN COMMENT: I think he’s got a really strong two-way game, he’s got a great hockey sense, can make a ton of plays. Really good with the puck on his stick.

BRETT MILLER

POSITION: Goalie.

YEAR: Graduate senior.

HEIGHT: 6-2.

WEIGHT: 185.

CATCHES: Left.

DOB: 4/26/1999.

HOMETOWN: Northville, Mich.

2023-24 TEAM: RPI (NCAA).

GP: 7. W-L: 1-5. GAA: 3.78. Sv %: .888. SHO: 0.

HISTORY: After a season in the Greater Ontario Hockey League, Miller had a decent season with NAHL Austin followed by an excellent one. His save percentage jumped from .891 to .916 between his rookie and sophomore campaigns with the Bruins. He was promoted for a game to USHL Cedar Rapids in his first season of major juniors. Miller has been a backup at RPI the past three seasons, appearing in 13 games and logging 600-plus minutes. Miller saw the most collegiate time last season, when he picked up his second Division I win and posted a 3.78 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage.

SCOUTING REPORT: Last-place RPI allowed an average of 34.3 shots per season, and despite Engineers’ opponents often seeing runway lights in the slot, Miller held opponents to three goals or fewer four straight starts before letting in six on 47 shots in his season finale at Dartmouth.

WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Sophomore Bruno Bruveris and freshman Ethan Dahlmeir are the favorites to land the top two goaltending spots, but as Miami saw the last two seasons with Carter McPhail, the right veteran third netminder can make a significant impact. And Miller is coming off his best collegiate season, so he is more than able to step in if needed between the pipes.

NOREEN COMMENT: Exactly what you want from a guy coming into that position. He loves the game, energetic – (he’s) going to support his partners. True professional, consistent. It’s really important with two young goalies to have someone that’s been around…a little older, a little more experience.

MATT CHOUPANI

POSITION: Forward.

YEAR: Senior.

HEIGHT: 5-10.

WEIGHT: 187.

SHOOTS: Right.

DOB: 1/2/2002.

HOMETOWN: Montreal, Quebec.

2023-24 TEAM: Northeastern (NCAA).

GP: 28. G: 3. A: 9. Pts. 12. PIM: 8. Plus-minus: -1.

HISTORY: Choupani scored 43 goals in 42 games his final season with Lac St-Louis of his Under-18 league in Quebec, leading his Lions to an RDS Cup with an 11-14-25 line in 16 playoff games. He retained that scoring touch in juniors, where he scored 37 goals and dished for 37 assists in 85 games over two seasons with USHL Des Moines. In 102 games with Northeastern over the past three seasons, he is 19-22-41, including a 10-goal, nine-assist sophomore campaign in 2022-23. Despite missing eight games early last season, he went 1-4-5 over a three-game stretch, but Choupani was limited to one point the final 13 contests.

SCOUTING REPORT: Choupani has been a dependable, durable points producer at every level. He isn’t tall but is strong and wins more than his share of boards battles and 50/50 pucks. Choupani is also versatile and helps his teams on the power play and penalty kill.

WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: The more experience, the better, and Choupani has exceled at every level he has played at for a long time. Miami can certainly use another double-digit goal scorer, so he should move into a high-leverage role right away, including special teams.

NOREEN COMMENT: Tons of energy, high skill. He can score but is also (super) competitive – he fights for every inch on the ice, loose pucks.

CONNER HUTCHISON

POSITION: Defenseman.

YEAR: Senior.

HEIGHT: 5-10.

WEIGHT: 184.

SHOOTS: Left.

DOB: 6/2/2000.

HOMETOWN: Long Island, N.Y.

2023-24 TEAM: Sacred Heart (NCAA).

GP: 14. G: 1. A: 4. Pts.: 5. PIM: 2. Plus-minus: -4.

HISTORY: Hutchison has the rare distinction of having played in the BCHL, the USHL and Hockey East. In 2019-20 with Penticton (the BCHL team that produced Curtis McKenzie) he went 6-36-41 in 58 regular season games. After just six games the following season with Vermont, he transferred out and played the balance of that campaign Noreen’s Tri-City team. The past three seasons he has logged 73 games with Sacred Heart, racking up seven goals and 27 assists. In 2022-23 he finished 3-17-20 but injuries limited him to 14 games last season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Noreen credits Hutchison for a major part of Tri-City’s turnaround in 2020-21 after he left Vermont. Despite having dressed for 79 collegiate games, Hutchison has just 24 penalty minutes, so he defends the right way. He’s not afraid to shoot – he’s averaging over a shot and a half a game in Division I. He checks off all of the intangibles boxes – quality teammate, excellent in the locker room, great attitude. Hutchison was the last player to transfer in this off-season.

WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Hutchison joins a crowded left side of the D-corps, with Dylan Moulton, Michael Feenstra, Zane Demsey and Spencer Cox all vying for regular ice time, and it’s doubtful Noreen brought him to Oxford for his fifth season to sit in the stands. Miami has struggled to find effective puck-moving defensemen since Derek Daschke, and his experience running the point could be a huge help for the RedHawks. He missed a decent part of last season but is 100 percent as he moves on campus.

NOREEN COMMENT: He can really help and mentor and guide the young guys. On top of that, he’s a power play defenseman with a ton of poise with the puck and can make plays. You feel good when the puck’s on his stick. He’s got some of that high-end offensive blueline in his game, which is certainly needed. He’s undersized but he’s highly competitive – he’s got some physicality to his game, a ton of energy.

NICK DONATO

POSITION: Defenseman.

YEAR: Senior.

HEIGHT: 6-0.

WEIGHT: 185.

SHOOTS: Right.

DOB: 7/27/2002.

HOMETOWN: Lake Forest, Ill.

2023-24 TEAM: None.

STATS: None.

HISTORY: Donato was highly-touted coming out of the Chicago Mission program and played a solid two seasons under Noreen at Tri-City, where he was a captain. He was injured prior to his freshman season at Miami in 2021-22 and was limited to 16 games and three assists. He dressed 20 times as a sophomore and went 0-2-2, then he hit the transfer portal but did not find a suitor and did not play in 2023-24.

SCOUTING REPORT: Miami fans saw firsthand that when Donato is healthy and on top of his game, he’s a solid shut-down D-man. Noreen said he was one of his top penalty killers with Tri-City. Donato is on the small side for a defensive defenseman but he’s not afraid to get physical or block shots. He doesn’t jump into the play much (he generated 16 shots in two seasons with the RedHawks) but he can move the puck well and is capable of picking up regular assists. Noreen said Donato has spent much of his summer in the weight room and is in the best shape of his life.

WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Being a right-handed shot on a team that lost Robby Drazner, Axel Kumlin and Jack Clement that is also overloaded with LD may help him squeeze into the lineup. At his best he’s hockey’s version of an ‘innings eater’ – and that’s meant as a compliment.

NOREEN COMMENT: Physical, brings it every day, has the mental makeup and competitiveness. Nicky Donato is an everyday player – he’s going to give you everything that he’s got and I can’t tell you how excited he is to be back and a part of it.

BRIAN SILVER

POSITION: Forward.

YEAR: Graduate senior.

HEIGHT: 5-11.

WEIGHT: 180.

SHOOTS: Right.

DOB: 11/6/2000.

HOMETOWN: Lake Bluff, Ill.

2023-24 TEAM: Augustana (NCAA).

GP: 16. G: 0. A: 0. Pts.: 0. PIM: 8. Plus-minus: -7.

HISTORY: Silver boasted 109 games of USHL experience over three seasons with Omaha before coming to Miami in 2020-21, rolling up 14 points each of his final two campaigns with the Lancers. In three seasons with Miami, he dressed just 37 times, scoring a pair of goals and assisting on another, playing largely on the fourth-line as a right wing. He transferred to Augustana prior to last season and played 16 games there without recording a point.   

SCOUTING REPORT: When he was in the lineup at Miami, Silver played with a lot of energy and seemed to improve as his career progressed. He always worked hard when he was on the ice and definitely earned his spot in the lineup when he played. Like Donato, Silver has also been a beast in the weight room this off-season, according to Noreen.

WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Miami has 18 forwards on its roster this season, so Silver will have to once again earn a spot in the lineup every night. If he’s as good or more developed than he was his third season with the RedHawks in 2022-23, he should compete for a slot on the fourth line.

NOREEN COMMENT: We want to be hard to play against, we want it to be tough to come into our arena, and Brian Silver is a guy that we’re going to lean on, big-time, in that department, to be an energy guy. I think he can chip in on some offense but really just be that guy that’s extremely hard to play against and push the competitive nature of our team.

Check back next week as we break down the 2024-25 freshman class.