Hunter Soden // Forward // Pequannock, NJ     

 Soden was one of the first players to commit to EMU for the 2017-18 season. Hunter has played the last two seasons for the Stampede, and was named a captain for the 2016-2017 season. On why Eastern, Soden replied, "We seem like a younger team with a lot of heart.  We’re ready to put in the work to play in March, plus I felt a great connection with all the coaches right off the bat. They share and want the same goal just as bad as the players." Hunter brings with him to Ypsilanti, a hard working attitude, goal scoring, speed and a desire to turn Eastern Michigan Hockey into one of the top programs in the country. When asked what he brings to the table, he said, "I hope to be a guy the team knows is always working and giving it my all. But I also hope to be a guy the team can trust and lean on during the big minutes of a game." Soden continued "I expect to be a good team this year for sure. I think we'll have some big upsets and find ourselves fighting come March."

            "Hunter was a player that was excited to commit to our program and bought into the mindset of us coaches from the second we started recruiting him" said assistant coach Jordan Roemer, "he is the type of player that we feel you need to win a national championship. We couldn't be more excited to bring Sods in this season,"

Tucker Bartenslager // Defenseman // Malone, NY

     Bartenslager, a big 6'2 220lbs defensemen, lands in Ypsilanti after a successful junior career which saw him play for 5 different teams.  He finished last season with the Stampede. When asked why he chose EMU, Tucker stated, "Eastern was an easy decision for me after I talked to Coach Roemer. He convinced me of two factors; instate tuition and a hockey program with great structure ready for a national tournament run." The big blue liner is a good skater for a man of his size.  He also brings a physical element to his game the coaching staff was looking for.  Coach Roemer had this to say of Tucker, "Tucker is a hard working kid and wants to get better every day. He is a reliable defenseman that makes the simple plays, but will be in your face all night. He’s a guy other teams don't like playing against."

     When asked what he will bring to the program Tucker said "I want to bring my hard nose, physical, gritty play to the d-zone. Get pucks out; get pucks deep. Stay on the positive side of things and bring consistency to our back end." Tucker added, "My expectations for the season are continual hard work and dedication from the boys and the staff. I expect each player to hold himself accountable, push himself and everyone around him.” 

Oscar Landé // Forward // Stockholm, SWE

    The third and final member of the trio from the Stampede is Swedish forward Oscar Landé. Oscar is a high flying offensive forward that will be a fan favorite right from the second he steps on campus. When asked what appealed to him about EMU Oscar said "I wanted to get a taste of the American college experience as well as combine competitive hockey with studies. EMU really appealed to me because of the dedicated hockey coaches and the high academic standards." Oscar was also a captain last year for the Stampede and brings a work ethic unlike any other. "I started speaking with Oscar in December of last season and right from the first conversation I knew this was a kid we had to have" stated coach Roemer, "He flat out loves to play hockey. Moving all the way from Sweden shows his dedication." When asked what he brings to the hockey program Oscar said, "I hope to bring a positive and hardworking mentality that will help the team overcome the obstacles that we may face" he went on to say "I expect a passionate team that plays for the name on the front of the jersey, rather than the name and number on the back. A team that help each other thrive and shine, through thick and thin, both inside and outside the hockey rink."