Clarkson Men's Hockey Looks to Build on Lake Placid Run in 2026–27
 

POTSDAM, N.Y. — A return trip to the ECAC Hockey semifinals gave Clarkson Men's Hockey a strong finish to the 2025–26 season. Now the Golden Knights enter 2026–27 looking to carry that postseason experience forward, with a returning core, new faces throughout the lineup and another demanding schedule ahead.

Clarkson finished last season 18-17-3, reaching Lake Placid for the second straight year before falling to Dartmouth in the semifinals. Head coach JF Houle's group brings back a stong core of players who contributed to that run, including sophomore forward Owen Van Steensel, who led the Knights with 12 goals and added 13 assists in his first collegiate season. Senior Talon Sigurdson returns after recording eight goals and 10 assists, while Rémi Gélinas, Maël St.-Denis and Justin Cote are among the younger forwards looking to take another step.

There will be new options up front, too. Freshmen Sebastien Gervais, Hayden Reid and Alex Pharand join the forward group, along with senior transfer Tyler Wallace. Their arrival gives Clarkson several possible combinations as the season begins.  

On defense, returning players Jack Sparkes, Ty Brassington, Tate Taylor and Bryce Sookro provide familiarity, while Michael Craig and Adam Cardona arrive as senior transfers. Freshmen Nikolas Young, Axel Dufresne and Zach Sandhu add to a blue line that will take shape as the Knights work through October.

Shane Soderwall returns in goal after starting 35 of Clarkson's 38 games last season. He posted 17 wins, a 2.54 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage and two shutouts. Dawson Labre and newcomer Ben Gaudreau will also push for time in the crease adding great depth among the Clarkson's goaltenders.

The Knights first take the ice against OttawaU at Cheel Arena on Saturday, October 3, before opening the regular season on the road at UMass Lowell on October 9 and Providence on October 10. Clarkson's regular-season home opener is set for Friday, October 16, the first of two games against Canisius. ECAC Hockey play begins at Cheel against Union and RPI on November 6–7.

The schedule also takes Clarkson to Lake Placid for November matchups with RIT and Merrimack and to North Dakota for a two-game series to open January.