Nine of college hockey's top 10 teams in this week's USA Hockey poll have a Waterloo Black Hawk alum on their rosters. Those programs are also recurring destinations for recent former Hawks as they advance to the next stage in their careers.
#1 Wisconsin features three familiar skaters, including Grady Deering, who helped the Badgers to last season's National Championship game. In Ann Arbor, #2 Michigan's captain is Garrett Schifsky, who held the same role for the Waterloo. The senior needs just 14 more points for 100 during his NCAA career. In-state rival Michigan State checks in third this week, with two of Schifsky's former teammates – Gavin O'Connell and Patrick Geary – each in the midst of their fourth college seasons.
Geary, fellow Spartan Brady Peddle, and Denver's Brendan McMorrow are already all National Hockey League Draft picks. So are John Mustard (Providence) and Matthew Lansing (Quinnipiac), who are also skating for some of the top contenders in 2026/27.
In all, 18 of the 80 former Hawks currently playing in the NCAA are on a Top 10 team. Whether their programs are blue chip or otherwise, here are the alumni who had the best opening month during the new schedule.
#3 Star –
Will Felicio, Jr.
Union
Last month, Felicio averaged better than a point per game with one goal and seven assists during seven contests for the Chargers. The defenseman's two-assist performance during a 7-1 win against Alaska on October 10th helped make Felicio the ECAC Defenseman of the Week. That was one of two multipoint nights for the 20-year-old, who also notched a pair of assists in a 5-4 loss to Niagara on the 25th.
Felicio's goal – the fifth of his college career – was scored against Army during Union's season debut on October 3rd. He is already within five points of matching the 13 he tallied last winter as a sophomore transfer from Michigan. Union opened ECAC play last weekend with a home-and-home sweep of RPI. Conference competition continues this weekend against Clarkson and St. Lawrence.
#2 Star –
JJ Cataldo, Jr.
Army
Cataldo only made one appearance as a Black Hawk – a 7-3 win against Dubuque in February, 2023 – but he has built an impressive career at West Point. His most recent accolade was being named the Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Month. During October, Cataldo was 5-1-0 with a 1.49 goals-against average and .945 save percentage.
So far this season, he has played every minute in net for the Cadets. He bounced back from the season-opening loss to Felicio's Chargers by stopping over 90 percent of the shots he faced in each of the next five games. That included a pair of shutouts against RIT and 50 total saves Halloween weekend. Cataldo now has 30 wins and eight shutouts during his college career.
#1 Star –
Gavyn Thoreson, Jr.
St. Cloud State
A month into the season, Thoreson is leading the pack as the Huskies' top scorer. His three goals and five assists (tied) are each team-bests through seven games. Thoreson's biggest effort was a three-point game (one goal, two assists) during a 5-3 home win against Michigan Tech on October 10th. A week later, he charted a pair of assists to help St. Cloud State split a weekend series against Boston College.
Thoreson is on pace to continue building his production as a collegiate player. He had 10 points in 36 games as a freshman and 20 points last year in 39 contests. The 3-4-0 Huskies play their next six games against NCHC opponents until getting a non-conference respite Thanksgiving weekend. Last winter, Thoresen provided the majority of his offense (15 points) during conference play.
Honorable Mention
Tommy Cronin, So. – Union: 7 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 Pts, +4
Kam Hendrickson, So. – Connecticut: 4 GP, 3-1-0, 2.95 GAA, .920 SV%
Gavin Lindberg, Jr. – North Dakota: 7 GP, 6 A, 6 Pts, +1
Garrett Schifsky, Sr. – Michigan: 8 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 Pts, +7
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