NORTHFIELD, Vt. - First-year Head Coach Dominick Dawes '04 announced his first recruiting class at the helm of the Norwich University men's ice hockey team Wednesday afternoon. Of the seven new faces coming to campus, four are forwards in addition to two blueliners and a netminder.

#1 Jacob Gorinsky
Position: Goaltender
Hometown: Oakville, Ont.
Previous Team: St. Michael's Buzzers (OJHL)
Won 17 of 34 decisions between the pipes for St. Michael's last season to go along with a .939 save percentage in six playoff games.
Gorinsky: "I chose to attend Norwich because of its outstanding reputation, amazing coaching staff, business and hockey program, as well as its location in Northfield."

#10 Frank D'Ancona
Position: Forward
Hometown: Fort Myers, Fla.
Previous Team: New Hampshire Mountain Kings (NAHL)
Finished the season ranked seventh on the Mountain Kings in goals.
D'Ancona: "I chose Norwich because the academics of the school are some of the best in the country, and they have a very well-run hockey team."

#15 Sam Larsson
Position: Defenseman
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Previous Team: Islanders Hockey Club (NCDC)
Accumulated 26 points patrolling the blueline for Islanders Hockey Club last season.
Larsson: "Norwich offers a good mix of academics and athletics, which was something I looked for. The school has a reputation for helping individuals grow into better versions of themselves and achieve new goals. Combined with great collegiate ice hockey that strives to win every year, I could see myself at the school."

#18 Ocean Fancy
Position: Defenseman
Hometown: Orleans, Mass.
Previous Team: Maine Nordiques (NAHL)
Was featured in an NHL.com article about his unique roots, blending Cape Cod roots and Indonesian heritage (link). On the ice, Fancy posted 25 points from the blueline for the Nordiques last season.
Fancy: "As a student at Norwich, what made me choose this school was the vibe—there's something unique about being part of a place with so much tradition and purpose. I liked the fact that there were both civilian students and cadets, because it gave me options. Whether you're into military service or not, you're respected here and can grow as a leader in your own way."

#21 Cory Kashul
Position: Forward
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
Previous Team: Seahawks (EHL)
Averaged a point per game in his 2024-25 campaign, with 25 of his 47 points being goals.
Kashul: "I chose Norwich because I fell in love with the rich hockey history here, the culture created by the groups before me, and felt like it was the best place for me to keep developing both on and off the ice while setting the ultimate goal of winning a National Championship."

#23 Boyd Stahlbaum
Position: Forward
Hometown: Peterborough, Ont.
Previous Team: University of Wisconsin-Stout
Earned Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Newcomer of the Year after a 14-goal, 18-assist campaign in 2023-24. Over his first two years as a Blue Devil, Stahlbaum posted 47 points in 54 games.  
Stahlbaum: "I chose Norwich for the good hockey program and construction management program."
 
#73 Niko Benjamin
Position: Forward
Hometown: Surprise, Ariz.
Previous Team: Utica Jr. Comets (NCDC)
In 52 contests with Utica, Benjamin accumulated 52 points, 36 of which were helpers. He is also a recruit for the Corps of Cadets and a member of the Air Force ROTC.
Benjamin: "Norwich allows me to develop and grow as a person while providing both a strong academic and athletic program."

The Cadets will open their regular season on home ice on Saturday, November 1 when they play host to a NCAA Tournament Semifinalist from last season, Curry College at 7:00 p.m.