Winger Steven Sanza and defenceman Chris Van Laren make up the first crop of STU recruits for the upcoming season, as Ryan attempts to rebuild a program that has struggled for several seasons, bottoming out last year with a dismal 3-21-4 record in the Atlantic University Sport men's hockey conference.

Van Laren, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound defenceman, will bring grit and a distinct physical presence to the Tommies blue-line that will need to fill the void left by graduating defenders Keith Wynn, captain Erick Tremblay, Ryan Lehr and David Crossman.

Van Laren played four seasons in the OHL, suiting up for three teams.

In his final year with the Guelph Storm, Van Laren put up three goals and 13 points in 62 games, racking up 105 penalty minutes. He amassed 425 PIMs in 241 career OHL games.

"He's got a bit of an edge to him," Ryan said. "He has the abilities to play against top players, very difficult to play against.

To continue reading click here