After two seasons playing at the University of Vermont, John DeRoche (Lynnfield, Mass.) is transferring to Northeastern, New England Hockey Journal learned Monday afternoon. DeRoche converted to defense this past season after playing forward through Midget, junior and freshman year. In 28 games in 2019-20, he had seven assists. That followed a freshman campaign that...
After two seasons playing at the University of Vermont, John DeRoche (Lynnfield, Mass.) is transferring to Northeastern, New England Hockey Journal learned Monday afternoon.
DeRoche converted to defense this past season after playing forward through Midget, junior and freshman year. In 28 games in 2019-20, he had seven assists. That followed a freshman campaign that saw him pot two goals and dish out five helpers.
A junior hockey journeyman, DeRoche played for four different organizations after leaving the Junior Bruins. He spent time with the USHL’s Cedar Rapid RoughRiders, the NAHL’s Topeka RoadRunners and the Idaho Junior Steelheads in the Western States Hockey League before returning to the USPHL with the Connecticut Junior Rangers.
DeRoche is a good skater who sees the ice well. He’ll have to sit out the 2020-21 season before having two years of eligibility left with the start of the 2021-22 season, barring an unforeseen waiver from the NCAA.
Rule leaves Friars
Freshman forward Caleb Rule is departing Providence after playing just nine games and registering zero points. The Lansing, Mich., native is transferring to Miami, where he’ll join a Red Hawks program looking to rebuild under second-year coach Chris Bergeron. Prior to this past season at PC, Rule played at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and then junior hockey with Central Illinois Flying Aces and Lincoln Stars.
Saariluoma exploring options
Cushing alum Vilho Saariluoma is looking for a NCAA home after decommitting from Bentley. The ’99 left wing from Helsinki, Finland, previously had been committed to Union.
He’ll head to college in the fall with 82 games in the NAHL under his belt. In 2019-20, he spent the first half of the year with Odessa, scoring five goals and 11 assists in 28 games. He finished the year with the USPHL NCDC’s Jersey Hitmen, registering seven goals and 11 assists in 18 games.
Maine lands St. Lawrence transfer
St. Lawrence junior left wing Keenan Suthers will transfer to the University of Maine, sources told NEHJ on Tuesday morning. The Tecumseh, Ont., native appeared in 97 games with the Saints, registering 16 goals and 18 assists. He had a career-high nine goals during the 2019-20 season. A dual citizen, the '98 spent time with USA Hockey's NTDP and two USHL organizations before matriculating to St. Lawrence. Suthers will sit out the 2020-21 season before having one year of eligibility left in the fall of 2021.
