Introducing the Army Hockey Class of 2030: Part 2 – Defensemen & Goaltenders

In Part 1, we broke down the offensive firepower joining the Black Knights—six forwards expected to inject energy, grit, and scoring depth into Coach Zach McKelvie’s lineup. But as the old hockey adage goes, defense wins championships. In the grinding, heavy-hitting landscape of Atlantic Hockey America, success is built from the back end out.

Now, we turn our attention to the remaining six members of the Class of 2030: a quintet of defensemen and one goaltender tasked with stabilizing the Black Knights in the defensive zone. Army’s defensive identity has long been characterized by structure, shot-blocking, and making the ice incredibly difficult for opposing forwards to navigate.

This incoming group of blueliners brings a coveted blend of size, junior hockey pedigree, and the exact leadership traits that McKelvie and his assistant coaches, Brian Gibbons, Riley McVeigh, and Jack Riley, prioritize on the recruiting trail.

Furthermore, these incoming freshmen arrive at a crucial time. They will be stepping into a defensive corps tasked with playing in front of sophomore JJ Cataldo, the reigning 2026 AHA Goaltender of the Year. For the Black Knights to take the next step this season, keeping the crease clear, limiting second-chance opportunities, and facilitating a clean breakout will be paramount. McKelvie’s staff has brought in a group they believe is fully capable of answering that bell.

With the forwards already introduced and the offensive foundation set, it is time to head to the blueline and the crease. Here is the conclusion of our look at the Army hockey Class of 2030: the five defensemen and the lone netminder ready to don the black and gold.

Defensemen

Alex Bosland

• Hometown: Basking Ridge, New Jersey
• Team: Blackfalds Bulldogs, BCHL
• Position: Right Defensemen
• Height & Weight: 6’1, 198 lbs
• Date of Birth: April 14th, 2005
• 2025-2026 Stats: 54 Games, 22 Points (3 Goals & 19 Assists), 22 PIMS
• Commitment: April 27th, 2026

The first player on the back end we are highlighting is Alex Bosland, who grew up just over an hour from West Point in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Bosland is the second of three Blackfalds Bulldogs to commit to the United States Military Academy this cycle under head coach Zach McKelvie. Heading to West Point with two of his friends was definitely a selling point, but Bosland found his own way to Army.

“For me, it was definitely my visit to the school. I was lucky enough to go and visit when all the cadets were on winter break. Therefore, it was super quiet and honestly just stunning. It showed me this was an easy choice.”

Bosland, who originally committed to the University of Maine in early 2023, is one of several incoming freshmen pushing for an immediate spot in the Black Knights’ lineup this October. For today’s young defensemen, maintaining a steady rotation on the blue line requires a versatile skill set—and that is the defining word for Bosland’s game: balanced.

“I would consider myself a two-way defenseman with great puck-moving skills,” he said, a statement backed up by his willingness to log tough defensive minutes against opponents’ top lines. “I pride myself on a great stick and keeping pucks out of the net.”

Bosland enjoyed a successful youth hockey career with the New Jersey Colonials, but when the defenseman graduated from middle school, it was time for a new experience: Gordon Conference Hockey.

While Northern New Jersey has produced its fair share of Division I and NHL talent—including George Parros, Kenny Agostino, and Kyle Palmieri—it was someone much closer to home who paved Bosland’s path to the Green Wave: his older brother, Andrew

“Delbarton was an amazing experience for me. My older brother, Andrew, went there and was an assistant captain on multiple Gordon Cup and New Jersey state championship teams, so I always knew I wanted to give it at least a shot for a few years.”

Unfortunately for Bosland, his time at Delbarton came with zero championships. Christian Brothers Academy swept both the Gordon Cup and the NJSIAA Non-Public State Championship in 2019-2020. The following season, Don Bosco Prep took home the 2020-2021 Gordon Cup—while the NJSIAA state tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following his sophomore year of high school, Bosland moved around the development circuit, playing for the Long Island Gulls 16U AAA in 2021-2022 and finishing his prep career at Mount St. Charles Academy in 2022-2023. The movement didn’t stop once he made the jump to junior hockey.

Despite being selected in the 13th round by the Fargo Force in the 2021 USHL Entry Draft, Bosland opted to head to Western Canada to play in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He signed with the Powell River Kings in the spring of 2023 but played just 36 games before being traded to the Brooks Bandits to close out the 2023-2024 season.

The ensuing offseason brought another trade, this time sending him from Brooks to the Coquitlam Express. Midway through that season, he was dealt yet again—this time to the Blackfalds Bulldogs. In just two seasons, Bosland had suited up for four different franchises. While the constant relocation took a toll, he managed to find the positives during a challenging stretch of his career.

“It was incredibly tough for me to jump around like that. Saying goodbye to my best friends twice a year, once in the middle of the season and once at the end, was never easy. However, I learned a tremendous amount from my different experiences in junior that I will carry with me for life.”

Fortunately for Bosland, the trade to Blackfalds presented the perfect opportunity. Not only did it allow him to settle in with a single team, finally, but he also got to do so alongside Thomas Neu and Noah Mertz, two of his closest friends from his time at Mount St. Charles.

“Alex joined our team last year and quickly developed into one of our leaders on defense,” said President of Hockey Operations Doug Quinn. “He is a highly skilled player who can play in all situations, and I was impressed with his growth both on and off the ice over the past couple of seasons.” Head coach Ryan Tobler is also happy that Bosland will be heading to West Point with two of his closest friends. “Alex is a talented skater with a high hockey IQ and a competitive spirit. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and take comfort in knowing he will be surrounded by his good friends and Bulldogs teammates Thomas Neu and Noah Mertz.”

For Bosland, making the journey to West Point alongside two of his best friends means everything. “Throughout the year, we definitely had conversations every day about it,” Bosland said. “I visited campus in December right around when Noah did, but my process took a little bit longer than the other guys. Ultimately it led to me wanting to play college hockey with two of my best friends, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

This past season in his return to Blackfalds, Bosland was an assistant captain and had his best junior season by far compared to his other stops in the league. In 54 games, Bosland produced 22 points (3 Goals & 19 Assists) and added another 3 points (1 Goal & 2 Assists) in 6 playoff games.

The playoffs ended earlier than Bosland and his teammates would have wanted, but he credits his success in his age-out season to one of his former coaches back home in New Jersey. “A former coach of mine, Vinny Smith, taught me to prioritize process over outcome. I believe I strayed from that early in my junior career. However, during my last season in Blackfalds, I really recommitted to that approach, and it allowed me to flourish.”

With the schedule officially announced, Bosland noted he has one matchup circled on his calendar: the Maine Black Bears, the program he was initially committed to. “I will definitely be most excited to play against Maine,” Bosland said. “Playing up in that barn, I have heard from my buddies in Hockey East, is always a treat.”

Heading into his plebe year at West Point without any prior ties to his new teammates, Bosland leaned on recent academy graduates for guidance. These alumni proved invaluable, setting clear expectations before he reported for Reception Day and Beast Barracks.

With the opening puck drop at Tate Rink just weeks away in early October, head coach Zach McKelvie’s lineup is far from set. Yet, Bosland’s goal for the Black Knights remains simple: “If there is anything I can do to help the team, I will do it.”

Camden Charron

• Hometown: Falmouth, Maine
• Team: Cranbrook Bucks, BCHL
• Position: Left Defensemen
• Height & Weight: 5’10, 185 lbs
• Date of Birth: June 15th, 2005
• 2025-2026 Stats (Cowichan Valley/Cranbrook): 51 Games, 21 Points (5 Goals & 16 Assists), 5 PIMS
• Commitment: March 20th, 2024

As we continue down the list of incoming freshman defensemen, Camden Charron is the longest-standing commit on the blue line. Representing Falmouth, Maine, Charron is set to become just the third player from the “Pine Tree State” to pull on a Black Knight sweater. So, why West Point?

“Committing to West Point was an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up. The program is incredibly appealing because it develops you not only as a hockey player, but as a leader and a person. I was blown away by the beautiful campus during my visit, and the incredible staff ultimately solidified my decision.”

Coming through the Maine Nordiques AAA system, Charron got his very first look at junior hockey with the big club in the 2023-2024 season. It was a productive stint, notching five assists in 12 games, while being a +8. He finished the season with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, putting up another 19 points in 39 games.

Charron is your typical new-age two-way defenseman. “I like to contribute offensively but won’t sacrifice my defensive game,” Charron explained. “When a chance arises, I like to join the rush and try to make plays. I also try to make quick and clean exits out of our defensive zone, usually with a pass.”

As the next season approached, major changes were on the horizon for Charron. An opportunity with Cowichan Valley in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) presented itself, and Charron decided to jump at it. “I spoke to the coaching staff about the potential move. They were fully on board, so I decided to hop on a plane and give it a shot. The BCHL had been producing many strong college players in seasons prior as well.”

Picking up and moving across North America to a new league could have been a massive risk for Charron. Instead, it paid off in a big way. Charron was the Capitals’ best defenseman, leading the blue line in scoring with 31 points (5 Goals & 26 Assists) in just 46 games. That production carried into the playoffs too, with 9 points (1 Goal & 8 Assists) in 11 games.

Individually, the season couldn’t have played out any better for Charron, who credited his success to head coach Cam Keith’s system. “I think it was a great system for me to play in. Cam typically runs a more offense-minded team with an active defenseman. It seemed like it would be a good chance for me to grow in that area of my game, and I was fortunate enough to put up some solid numbers.”

After such a successful year in Cowichan, Charron was rewarded with a letter as one of the team’s assistant captains heading into this past season. “It was a tremendous honor, especially as a returner. I was fortunate enough to have some great teammates who were not only supportive but also leaders as well.”

However, Charron struggled to replicate his previous season’s production in Cowichan, prompting a mutual realization that a change of scenery was necessary. “I was struggling to put up numbers, and both Cam Keith and I agreed that a change of scenery would benefit me. About 24 hours after our meeting, I was on my way to Cranbrook.”

For junior hockey players, the most difficult part of a mid-season trade often happens off the ice. It was all the same for Charron, as the move to Cranbrook meant starting entirely from scratch. “It was definitely tough having to meet a new billet family, coaches, and teammates. But looking back, I wouldn’t change anything about it.”

The move twelve hours east to Cranbrook rejuvenated Charron’s season. In 28 games, he produced 16 points (3 Goals & 13 Assists) and helped the Bucks clinch the final playoff spot in the Interior West Division. Cranbrook went on a little Cinderella run, toppling West Kelowna, the best team in the league, in five games. Their run lasted all the way through the Interior Conference Finals, where they would fall to the Brooks Bandits.

Despite the whirlwind season, Charron noted that his most significant individual growth came in his defensive zone play and his evolution as a leader.

“When I got to Cranbrook. Ryan Donald, our head coach, really stressed the emphasis on the defensive side of the game and the details that followed. I also found that I was able to manage the game more this season, just by handling the puck and establishing early gaps. Off the ice, being traded makes you speak up and get comfortable. I definitely came out of my shell in Cranbrook and made some great friends along the way.”

As Charron gets ready for Beast Barracks, he’s been in communication with current players Nils Forselius (teammates in Maine) and Billy Batten. “They have said it’s definitely going to be tough, but just make the most of it.” He’s ready for the next chapter with Army and is looking forward to meeting his new teammates.

When he ultimately steps onto the ice for the first time at Tate Rink in his plebe year, Charron said he hopes to bring a reliable presence on the blue line for Zach McKelvie and the staff. “My game isn’t super flashy, but it’s effective.”

Max Holland

• Hometown: San Francisco, California
• Team: Spruce Grove Saints, BCHL
• Position: Right Defensemen
• Height & Weight: 5’11, 172 lbs
• Date of Birth: February 17th, 2006
• 2025-2026 Stats: 39 Games, 22 Points (6 Goals & 16 Assists), 20 PIMS
• Commitment: May 12th, 2024

One notable surprise in the Class of 2030 is the addition of San Francisco native Max Holland. He stands out as the lone 2006-born player on the blue line in head coach Zach McKelvie’s incoming recruiting class. It’s a move reminiscent of last season, when Army similarly brought Lukas McCloskey to West Point a year earlier than his birth year might typically dictate. For Holland, it was an “easy decision” to commit to the United States Military Academy.

“My decision to commit was heavily influenced by my time at Culver Military Academy. Culver’s structure is modeled directly after West Point, and my three years there were the best of my life,” Holland said. “I thrive in a military environment, and because my personal values and future goals align so closely with West Point, the choice was incredibly easy.”

Beyond his own prep school experience, his family’s history also played a significant role in his path to the Academy. “My grandfather—a Vietnam veteran and one of my personal heroes—attributes much of his success to his military service,” Holland added. “Having experienced a glimpse of that at Culver, I am excited for the opportunities West Point will bring.”

His time at Culver didn’t just help Holland develop as a leader and person off the ice, but also gave him a hockey experience like no other. “Culver hockey was incredible, and where I met some of my best friends for life. I was given the opportunity to be the captain my senior year, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in hockey. There’s nothing better than playing for and in front of your school, and it’s something I look forward to at West Point.”

After graduating with the Class of 2025, Holland’s high school career at Culver concluded, and the jump to junior hockey awaited. This past summer, Holland signed with the Spruce Grove Saints of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), playing with future Army commit Tre Peck.

Asked to describe his game, Holland had a simple breakdown. “Others have described my game as a smart offensive defenseman who carries poise with the puck. I think I bring a good calmness with the puck that is often helpful in breakouts and offensive situations.”

Before his one season of junior hockey in the BCHL, Spruce Grove general manager Rob Sklaruk spoke highly of Holland. “Max brings a lot of great attributes as a person while attending Culver and is set to head to West Point. On the hockey side, Max has shown strong offensive play while also being a reliable defender in his own zone.”

Most prospects require a grace period to adapt to the speed and intensity of junior hockey. Holland, however, completely bypassed that learning curve upon arriving in Spruce Grove. “Not to sound arrogant when I say this, but honestly [the jump from Prep to the BCHL] was pretty easy,” Holland admitted. “I felt pretty comfortable right away. My game definitely improved and developed over the season, as I had a lot to work on, but overall it was a great experience.”

The Californian would go on to play in only 39 games last season. Still, he enjoyed an excellent rookie season, producing 22 points (6 Goals & 16 Assists), while having the third-best points-per-game ratio (0.56 Pt/G) of any defenseman on the team. Holland went down with an undisclosed injury at the end of January, forcing the defenseman to miss two months.

One person who helped Holland believe in himself as a player was Saints head coach Martin Lachaine, even after his significant injury layoff. “Coach Lachaine was an incredible coach who helped me a lot with my confidence to play how he believed I could. Despite missing so long from injury, he gave me the confidence to come back and make a difference right away.”

Upon his return with only four games remaining in the regular season, it appeared as if Holland had never left the lineup. In that first game back against Salmon Arm, Holland scored two goals and added another assist. In the playoffs, the Saints were disposed of in a four-game sweep by the Brooks Bandits, who eventually went on to lift the Rogers BCHL Cup.

Holland showed plenty of promise following his return from injury. Despite a disappointing end to the year, he experienced significant growth during his lone BCHL campaign. “I think I improved the most defensively and physically,” Holland said. “I spent a lot of extra time working out off the ice, and along with great defensive coaching, I believe I was able to take a step in my defensive game.”

Now as the San Francisco native prepares for life at West Point, he won’t be alone on this journey. As did many before him, Holland played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, a Southern California youth hockey program affiliated with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. Over the past five years, Army has developed a strong pipeline between California and West Point.

Last season alone, Army had four players from the “Golden State”: Noah Alvarez, Ben Ivey, Jack Ivey, and Lukas McCloskey, with three coming out of the Jr. Ducks program. For Holland, he’s looking forward to building connections with some of these players from home.

“There are definitely a lot of strong connections between California hockey and West Point now, especially through the Jr. Ducks. Lukas McCloskey played with my older brother, Ian, and I’ve become good friends with his younger brother, Lance McCloskey, as well, who’ll be coming in a year or two. I’ve also been in touch quite a bit with Ben Ivey, and I’m really looking forward to finally meeting him in person, along with all of the other California guys once I’m there.”

But it’s not just guys from home that Holland already has connections with at West Point. He also has two former prep school teammates waiting for him on campus. “Besides the California guys and some of the BCHL commits I’ve played against, my best friends play for the club hockey team: Remy Bergeron and Wolf Woelk. They went to Culver with me, and Remy was my roommate for three years. They’ve helped me a lot with what to expect and how to prepare for Beast [Barracks].”

Like every incoming recruit, Holland is eagerly anticipating next season’s matchup against rival Air Force. He is no stranger to intense rivalries; during his high school career at Culver, his team’s biggest rival was Shattuck St. Mary’s. “I had a similar experience with a big rival,” Holland said. “We had ‘Shattuck Night’ at Culver, so I can only imagine how great the atmosphere against Air Force will be.”

Beyond the highly anticipated matchups against Air Force, Holland is eager to experience the world of Division I hockey. “I’m most excited to play all the college teams and see the new rinks and teams I’ll be playing against for the next four years.”

As he gets ready to take the ice at Tate Rink as a plebe, ice time is there for the taking on the blue line. For Holland, he’s ready to do whatever head coach Zach McKelvie asks of him. “I just hope I can bring a positive impact wherever the coaches need me to, and I’m just excited for the opportunity.”

Noah Mertz

• Hometown: Coventry, Rhode Island
• Team: Blackfalds Bulldogs, BCHL
• Position: Right Defensemen
• Height & Weight: 6’0, 186 lbs
• Date of Birth: August 19th, 2005
• 2025-2026 Stats: 53 Games, 50 Points (8 Goals & 42 Assists), 36 PIMS
• Commitment: Decemeber 30th, 2025

Continuing with the blue line, Noah Mertz becomes the third Blackfalds Bulldogs player in this recruiting class to make his way to West Point. Just like his teammates Thomas Neu and Alex Bosland, the movement on the recruiting front opened up an opportunity for the Coventry, Rhode Island native to commit to the Black Knights just before the new year.

“I chose Army because of the history and the honor that comes with attending West Point,” Mertz explained. “My visit was amazing, and the facilities are top-notch. A major influence on my decision was head coach Zach McKelvie and assistant coach Brian Gibbons, along with the school’s rigorous academics.”

Mertz describes himself as a “200-foot defenseman” who will bring daily energy and competitiveness to the ice at Tate Rink.

Mertz launched his high school career in his home state of Rhode Island at Bishop Hendricken Prep. Following his freshman season, he transferred to the renowned Mount Saint Charles Academy to play out his final three years.

Upon graduation, Mertz signed with the New Mexico Ice Wolves in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), joining fellow Army commit Sean Gibbons. There was an adjustment period for Mertz, but eventually, he found his footing.

“The jump from AAA to juniors was huge. The biggest adjustment was playing against older guys who are physically built and mature. I would say it took me a month to finally get used to the juniors and settle in and feel confident in my ability.”

His career in New Mexico was short, producing 8 points (2 Goals & 6 Assists) in only 25 games. Midway through the 2024-2025 season, Mertz made the move north of the border and joined the Blackfalds Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He’d finish the year with 17 points in 30 games for the Bulldogs, laying the seeds for a breakout season the following year in Canada.

As a returning player, Mertz was named an assistant captain. He took that honor to heart. “The biggest change for me off the ice was getting outside my comfort zone to become a more vocal leader. Wearing an ‘A’ was an amazing honor. It was a responsibility I enjoyed having, and it taught me a lot.”

Mertz had a major breakout season during his second year with the Bulldogs. Playing north of the border, just outside Red Deer, Alberta, he racked up 50 points (8 goals, 42 assists) to finish second in scoring among defensemen, while also finishing second in power-play assists with 22.

Analyzing why he had so much success offensively this season in the BCHL, Mertz attributes that to his play in his own zone. “Honestly, looking back, my biggest area of growth was my defensive play, which allowed me to generate offense through transition.” Speaking of transition, here’s a coast-to-coast goal from Mertz in overtime against the BCHL Champions, Brooks Bandits.

When you have the season Mertz and the Bulldogs had last season, individual success is sure to follow. In his age-out season, as a 2005-born player, Mertz was named a First-Team All-Star in the BCHL.

The accolades didn’t stop at the number of points Mertz produced, as he walked away with two team awards following the 2025-2026 season. Mertz was named the team’s top defender and co-MVP. “The accolades mean a lot. It’s a lot of the hard work from the summer finally paying off. But those aren’t just individual awards—the team helped me succeed in every way.”

Bulldogs President of Hockey Operations, Doug Quinn, was full of praise when speaking about Mertz’s commitment to the United States Military Academy.

“The Bulldogs organization is excited to hear of Noah’s commitment to Army. Noah joined our team last year before Christmas and has been a significant contributor to our team’s success ever since. Noah’s development and growth have him being recognized as an All-Star and one of the best defensemen in the BCHL this season. Army is a great opportunity for Noah, and the Bulldogs organization wishes Noah future success in his hockey and educational journey.”

As he gets set to arrive on campus, Mertz is in the unique situation that he’ll be joined on this journey to West Point with his two best friends, Thomas Neu and Alex Bosland. Neu was actively recruiting the two following his commitment in early December, but Mertz said he wanted to keep an open mind with his recruitment. “We didn’t really have too many conversations about it until after we all committed. I wanted to go in with an open mind, and it turned out that we are all going to a great school.”

Mertz brings something to the Army blue line that was missing last season: a pure playmaker on the backend and a power-play quarterback. Senior Jude Brower did a lot of good work last year in that role, but he wasn’t able to produce anything close to what Mac Gadowsky was able to do in 2024-2025. Nobody was going to be able to re-create the numbers of a top-10 Hobey Baker Finalist. But Mertz has the ability to step into the lineup and make an immediate impact with the puck on his stick for Zach McKelvie next season.

It was a truly incredible season for Mertz as he prepares to transition to college hockey in the fall. “I’m looking forward to joining the guys and the good group they have at West Point. I hope I can bring a lot of energy and playmaking, and do whatever I can to help the team win.”

Thomas Quast

• Hometown: Forest Lake, Minnesota
• Team: Wisconsin Windigo, NAHL
• Position: Left Defensemen
• Height & Weight: 6’3, 185 lbs
• Date of Birth: October 28th, 2005
• 2025-2026 Stats (New Hampshire/Wisconsin): 57 Games, 31 Points (5 Goals & 26 Assists), 22 PIM, +/- -11
• Commitment: April 24th, 2025

The final defenseman in this loaded freshman class is the tallest of the bunch, with 6’3 Thomas Quast. A native of Forest Lake, Quast is the fourth Minnesota-born player in the class for head coach Zach McKelvie, who also hails from the State of Hockey. When asked what drew him to the program, Quast pointed to the academy’s legacy both on and off the ice.

“Just the history of the school. I mean, they’re known to be a good, gritty hockey team. I would say, mostly, just beyond hockey, you leave West Point, and you’re set for life. There is so much opportunity there; it’s endless. And the person you become, your characteristics, the way you live—it’s completely different. I’m very blessed, and it’s another opportunity to serve and give back… You’re really there to do something after.”

Quast recalls being offered by the coaching staff on his visit to West Point in the Spring of 2025. The offer left Quast speechless, but he committed on the spot. “We went on the visit, and they offered me [a scholarship] at the end, and I was speechless because it was just such a cool moment. I waited a little bit; I didn’t know what to say. And as our coach kept talking about the program and stuff, I interrupted. ‘Can I just accept now?’ and so I accepted that day.”

It was an even more special moment for Quast as he had his parents and brothers with him on the visit. Quast is the youngest of four boys, and to be able to make his commitment in front of them meant the world to him. “It was awesome. Like, especially being able to hug them after and knowing that they’re proud of me. It just meant the World to me to be able to do that in front of them and show them that their hard work, me watching them every day, is what made me push myself and want to become the best version of me.”

Growing up in the State of Hockey, Quast spent four years on the varsity squad at Totino-Grace. He stepped into a leadership role early, wearing a letter as a junior before taking over as captain of the Eagles his senior year. Team success was hard to come by during his tenure, though, with the squad making it to the section semifinals just once in his freshman year.

At the conclusion of his senior season, Quast gained experience in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the local Chippewa Steel. It might have been just one game, but that set up Quast for the next two seasons in junior.

The spring of 2024 saw Quast make the jump to junior hockey full-time, signing a tender with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. That decision springboarded him to a Division-I commitment and plenty of individual success during his time in the NAHL. As a rookie, he was a standout performer for head coach Cameron Robichaud and was ultimately named the team’s “Rookie of the Year.” He finished the season with 34 points (7 goals and 27 assists), ranking third among the team’s defensemen.

In addition to his overall scoring output, Quast recorded a stellar plus-minus rating of +19, good for second on the team. His rookie campaign was so impressive that Coach Robichaud trusted him with crucial power-play minutes. Quast quickly repaid his coach’s trust by tallying 16 power-play points (3 goals and 13 assists), tying for the most on the roster.

Quast took on a much larger leadership role during his second NAHL season, serving as one of three captains for New Hampshire. Although the team struggled in the standings, Quast remained a steady presence until he was traded to the Wisconsin Windigo in early 2026. While his offensive production dipped slightly after the move—posting 13 points (2G, 11A) in 27 games with Wisconsin compared to 18 points (3G, 15A) in 30 games with New Hampshire—his defensive play drastically improved. He bounced back from a -10 plus-minus rating with the Mountain Kings to a solid -1 with the Windigo.

The playoff run with Wisconsin proved to be a grueling test for Quast, with the Windigo pushed to the brink in two consecutive five-game series. In round one, the Windigo took down the Fairbanks Ice Dogs with a 5-2 game five victory. The Midwest Division finals wouldn’t be so kind, as Quast’s junior career came to an end with a 3-0 game five defeat to the Minnesota Wilderness.

In ten playoff games, Quast was the second most productive defenseman with two goals and an assist. But more importantly, in his own zone for the Windigo, Quast was a +5. From a bird’s-eye view, Quast found his game down the stretch in Wisconsin, an important sign as he prepares for life at the next level.

Arriving at West Point this fall alongside his four fellow plebe classmates, Quast enters a highly competitive, youthful defensive rotation. Given the resilience and two-way responsibility he’s demonstrated over the last two years, he is primed to be a vital piece of Zach McKelvie’s system for the 2026–2027 season.

Goaltenders

Owen Crudale

• Hometown: San Diego, California
• Team: Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL
• Catches: Left-Handed
• Height & Weight: 6’1, 187 lbs
• Date of Birth: May 26th, 2005
• 2025-2026 Stats (Dubuque): 8-4-2 (0 SO), 3.17 Goals Against Average, .893 Save Percentage
• 2025-2026 Stats (Waterloo): 0-3-0 (0 SO), 4.24 Goals Against Average, .875 Save Percentage
• Commitment: February 4th, 2026

With the blue line fortified, the final piece of the Class of 2030 puzzle lies between the pipes with Owen Crudale. A San Diego, California native, Crudale will be the sixth player on the Black Knights’ roster to hail from the Golden State.

Being surrounded by two other San Diego natives in the Ivey twins, alongside other Anaheim Jr. Ducks alumni, has Owen excited about West Point. “So so pumped to be able to play at the collegiate level with friends of mine and past teammates. I cannot wait to reunite with all of them at West Point!”

With two junior goaltenders returning for the Black Knights, playing time early could come sparingly, if at all. But for Crudale, the decision to commit to the United States Military Academy was an easy one.

“I knew I had made up my mind once I went on my visit,” said Crudale. “I toured the campus in person, saw a lot of the Academy’s history, and learned about the kind of person it molds you into. That’s something I aspire to be.”

Crudale’s commitment has sparked a friendly, intra-service rivalry at home. “They’re nothing but proud,” he said, though he conceded, “There’s a real rivalry now.” Still, coming from a military family, the chance to attend a revered institution like West Point was an opportunity he simply couldn’t pass up. “The magnitude of that place and seeing the pride everyone there has in it hit home for me.”

Playing youth hockey in San Diego, Crudale got his start with the San Diego Saints, a AA program in the area. He got a lot of action playing at home, but Crudale made the tough decision to leave the Saints in 2020-2021 and play at the renowned Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island. There, he played alongside fellow incoming freshman Noah Mertz. However, despite playing well on the ice, Crudale found himself struggling with the distance from home.

Following two seasons in Rhode Island, Crudale decided to move back to the West Coast and join the Anaheim Jr. Ducks 18U AAA team. It was a change Crudale needed. “Honestly, the decision to go home after Mount St. Charles was more of me being a bit homesick, as well as thinking it would be a better opportunity for me to play every game and develop more,” Crudale noted. The transition yielded immediate results on the ice, where he registered a 1.75 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.

That season with the Jr. Ducks set up Crudale for junior hockey. A former 2nd-round pick by the Swift Current Broncos in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Crudale instead signed with the Powell River Kings in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) to begin the 2023-2024 season. For the last-placed Kings, Crudale owned a 4-17-1 record with a 3.81 goals-against average and an impressive .891 save percentage.

His time in Western Canada was cut short, however, when he transitioned to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) to join the Philadelphia Rebels. Crudale’s game steadily improved from the moment he arrived in the City of Brotherly Love. He closed out the 2023-24 campaign with a 3-5-1 record, a 3.32 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage.

Adjusting to the pace of junior hockey after playing AAA wasn’t entirely seamless, but Crudale found his footing late in the season with the help of Rebels goaltending coach George Bosak. “Settling in took about a full season, then I really found my game, I would say. [Coach] Bosak also helped me calm down in the net and let pucks come to me.”

Building on a strong finish to his first year, Crudale clearly won over the Philadelphia coaching staff. With starting goaltender Jakub Krbecek moving on to the college ranks, the crease belonged to Crudale. He backstopped the Rebels to 11 of their first 12 wins to open the season. While Philadelphia narrowly missed the postseason, Crudale was a standout performer. His 21-20-2-2 record belied his impressive individual stats: a 2.74 GAA and a .924 save percentage, placing him in the league’s top 12.

His effort and play earned him a call-up to the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He wouldn’t get a start, but as he did with the Rebels the year prior, Crudale made a lasting impression when head coach Matt Smaby gave him his shot with the Black Hawks leading the Omaha Lancers 5-0 late in the third period. Crudale finished the game with five saves, helping preserve the shutout in the Black Hawks’ regular season finale.

That appearance, along with his individual success in the NAHL, led to Crudale being drafted in the 4th round of the 2025 USHL Entry Draft by the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Early in the season, Crudale was playing well for head coach Evan Dixon, with a 5-2 record, a 2.62 goals-against average, and a .911 save percentage. But games were hard to come by the rest of the season in Dubuque, with starter Vojtech Hambalek getting the bulk of the starts.

The 2025-2026 season was a major learning experience for Crudale. “I’m not playing as much as I did last year, but it’s a good thing to experience at this level rather than later on,” he said. “You have to stay prepared no matter what.”

In the rest of his time with Dubuque, Crudale started only seven more games before he was traded back to Waterloo, the very team where he made his USHL debut a year prior. His situation didn’t improve, as he played five games for the Black Hawks to close out the season. Crudale understood that at the end of the day junior hockey is a business and has no ill will towards the Dubuque franchise. “I mean, junior/pro hockey is all a business, so I have no grudge against anyone for getting traded, although the reason might not have made sense; nothing I can say or do would change that outcome.”

During his tenure in the USHL, Crudale was a consummate professional. Rather than drawing negative attention to his situation or creating locker room distractions, he simply put his head down and focused on his development, letting his work ethic speak for itself.

“What I learned about myself was just to control what you can control, which is your effort and attitude, and as much as it was definitely hard at times throughout the year, I would say I gave as much of an effort as possible.”

Now that his junior hockey days are behind him, Crudale is fully focused on navigating his plebe year at West Point. Stepping into the crease as a freshman, he’ll have the luxury of learning from one of the best in the collegiate ranks in reigning AHA Goaltender of the Year JJ Cataldo. Rather than being intimidated, Crudale views Cataldo’s presence as the ultimate motivator.

“Obviously, as a competitor, seeing JJ win the AHA Goaltender of the Year award makes me want to work so much harder,” Crudale explained. “I’m also looking forward to meeting him because I will get to learn so much from a goalie of his caliber, and hopefully pick his brain.”

Beyond his development in the crease, Crudale is ready to tackle the unique demands of life as a cadet—starting with the books. “I am pumped to get back to learning; I won’t lie,” Crudale said with a chuckle. Armed with that resilient, eager mindset, he seems perfectly equipped to handle whatever challenges West Point throws his way next.

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