Roster
Announcing the 2012/2013 BYU Cougar Hockey Team!
DEFENSE
Tanner Billingsley – returning player 6’2” 230 lbs
Tanner is a senior majoring in Public Health. Tanner is single and served in the Ogden, UT Mission. Tanner’s hometown is Chicago, (Chi-Town) IL. He also works as a hockey instructor at Peaks Ice Arena.
Coach Notes: Tanner returns to the Cougar blue line this year with another year of college hockey under his belt. Tanner is a team Captain and he is the heart and soul of the Cougar defense. Look to Tanner to shut down the opposition’s offense with solid defense and big hits.
Scott Johnson – returning player 6’0” 165 lbs
Scott is a junior majoring in Public Health with emphasis in Health Promotion. Scott is married and served in the Jakarta, Indonesia Mission. He calls Dallas, TX home and grew up playing hockey in the Dallas area and played for Allen High School, DJHA Ice Hawks.
Coach Notes: Scott is entering another year on the BYU hockey team. Scott sets an example for his teammates by working hard in every shift. Look for Scott to add some points this year as he uses his Howitzer of a shot from the blue line.
Nick Bartholomew – returned after serving mission 6’2” 235 lbs
Nick is a sophomore majoring in Pre-Dental. Nick is “dating” and served in the Frankfurt, Germany Mission. Nick hails from Anchorage, Alaska. He played for the U18AA Junior Steelheads.
Coach Notes: A “team first” attitude has found Nick playing on this years blue line. When coaches asked him if he would be willing to switch from forward to defense, Nick replied “Wherever the team needs me.” Nick is fitting in nicely as a top four defenseman and seeing time on both the powerplay and penalty kill.
Jake Wells 5’9” 170 lbs
Jake is a freshman with an undeclared major. Jake’s future plans are to serve a mission in spring of 2013. Jake comes from Willow, Alaska and played for Houston High School, 16AAA Alaska Wolves.
Coach Notes: After an outstanding training camp, Jake was slotted to play an important role along the Cougar blue line. After breaking his collarbone, Jake will continue to support his team from bleachers. We look forward to Jake making a quick recovery and returning to the line up.
Roger Flores 5’11” 160 lbs
Roger is a sophomore majoring in Marketing and is currently single. Roger served in the New York City North Mission and calls EL Paso, TX is hometown. Roger played for El Paso Rhinos. “I once had an awkward moment just to see what it felt like.”
Coach Notes: This is Roger’s first year on the hockey team. He is quickly learning the team systems and will add depth to the Cougar blue line. His “defense first” attitude will be a strength for the Cougars.
Robert Peterson 6’3” 195 lbs
Robert is a sophomore with an undecided major. He is currently “dating” and served in the Dominican Republic Mission. He hails from Boise, ID where he played competitive hockey for the Junior Idaho Steelheads Travel Team, and Centennial High School.
Coach Notes: Rob is entering his first year on the hockey team. He is excited to wear the BYU sweater. He was asked to move from forward to defense by his coaches and he has made great strides during the transition.
FORWARDS
Mitch Facer – returning player
BIO MISSING
Coach Notes: Mitch adds a much-needed level of intensity on the ice. He is strong on his skates, and tough in the corners. As a team Captain, we’re looking to him for leadership both on and off the ice this year.
Cameron Hymas – returning player 6’ 2” 160 lbs.
Cam is a junior majoring in Computer Science. Cam is happily married with no children as of yet. He served in the Philadelphia Mission. Penticton, BC, Canada is Cameron’s hometown. He started his hockey career at age of twelve in Salt Lake City before his family moved to British Columbia to attend the Okanagan Hockey Academy where he played midget AAA. Cam also played Junior B hockey for Summerland Sting before serving his mission. This is Cam’s third year playing Cougar Hockey!
Coach Notes: One of the most skilled players on the team, Cam has the potential to be a dominant factor on the ice. Watch for slick hands, and precision shooting from Cam.
Landon Ball – returning player 5’11” 185 lbs
Landon is a sophomore majoring in Exercise Science. Landon married that super amazing girl mentioned in last year’s bio! He served in Yep Culiacan, Mexico Mission. He hails from West Hills, CA and played competitive hockey for over 16 years in Southern California as well as Roller Hockey. He played for 16AA, 18AA Ventura Mariners, Maine Junior Hockey and played for BYU for a year and half before serving his mission.
Coach Notes: In terms of raw skills, Landon is one of the most talented players to have come through the program in recent years. We are excited to see him use his natural abilities to improve the team’s offensive production this year.
Brendan Hubbard – returning player 5’9” 160 lbs
Brendan is a junior majoring in Exercise Science and is currently single. Brendan served in the Santa Rosa, CA Mission and hails from Grande Prairie, AB Canada. Growing up, Brendan played competitive hockey in Canada, playing for Grande Prairie Midget AA. Brendan hopes to go to dental school and specialize in orthodontia.
Coach Notes: A veteran and Captain on the team. Brendan brings a level of on-ice leadership and maturity that the team needs. He is a hard-working player, and one of the smartest players on the team.
David (Ashton) Ripley – returning player 5’10 180 lbs
Ashton is a junior with an Open Major and is happily married with a baby girl born in September, 2012. Ashton served in the Brazil Londrina Mission. He hails from Birmingham, AL where he grew up playing roller hockey and only started playing ice hockey when he began high school. Ashton also played for Birmingham Devils.
Coach Notes: Ashton is one of the hardest workers on the team. Each time he comes to the rink he always brings the right attitude and is ready to contribute in whatever role he is thrown into.
Josh Patrick – returning player 5’ 9” 145 lbs
Josh is a junior majoring in Computer Science and is currently single. Josh served in the Dominican Republic Mission and hails from Orem, UT. Josh has played hockey since the age of six, accumulating over ten years of competitive hockey. He played for Timpanogos High School where he was able to help win a state championship. Josh also played for BYU hockey as a freshman before serving his mission.
Coach Notes: A Utah native, Josh is in his third year with the Cougars. He is a steady contributor to the team and is a key part of the team’s power play and penalty kill.
Brandon Patrick (Josh’s brother) 5’5” 140 lbs
Brandon is a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and is currently single. He calls Orem, UT his hometown. He played for the Stars, Renegades, Timpanogas High School, and Predators. Brandon enjoys gymnastics and martial arts and doing flips in his free time.
Coach Notes: In his first year with BYU Brandon has already made a huge impact. He will be a major part of this program in the future as his hard working skills add depth to the forward lines. He is excited to play this first year alongside his older brother, Josh.
Wyatt Frost 5’10” 165 lbs
Wyatt is a freshman with an undecided major. He is single and hails from Bangor, ME, where he played for Bangor High School.
Coach Notes: After missing training camp and playing the first few games at forward, Wyatt has transitioned into a top four defenseman for the Cougars. He brings hockey sense and an ability to play any position to the team. Look for Wyatt to be used in any situation on the ice.
David Gebert 5’9” 160 lbs
David is a sophomore majoring in Biology and is single. David served in the Long Beach, CA Mission. He calls San Francisco (Frisco) and Dallas his hometown. He played competitive hockey recently for DSHA.
Coach Notes: Although he is still in his rookie season, David has already been a major contributor on the ice. His style combines speed and grit with smooth passing and smart game play. He has upped the level of expectation for first-year players.
Ryan Hoeke 5’10” 155 lbs
Ryan is a freshman with an undeclared major and his currently single. Livingstone, NJ is his hometown. He played competitive hockey for Utah Golden Eagles U16-U18. Ryan placed 3rd at the highly competitive National Championship Tournament!
Coach Notes: This is Ryan’s first year with the team, and he has already helped to set a high standard for the other first-year players. Ryan is the perfect combination of speed, hard work, determination, grit, and finesse. He is a great, all-round team player.
Sterling Peterson 5’9” 165 lbs
Sterling is a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering and is currently single. Woodland Hills, UT is his hometown, where he played for UCI Warriors, High School Team.
Coach Notes: This is Sterling’s first year on the Cougars hockey team. Sterling is eager and willing to fulfill any position or role necessary. This is an attribute that the coaching staff admires and they are confident that Sterling will continue to develop into a contributor.
GOALIES
Caleb Thomas – returning player 5’11” 180 lbs
Caleb is a junior majoring in Public Health and is currently single. Caleb served in the New York, New York Mission and calls Ft. Collins, CO home. He played for the Colorado AVS. Caleb plays drums, and is just playing hockey til his rockstar dreams are fulfilled.
Coach Notes: Caleb joined the Cougars last season during a difficult time in the program’s history. Over the past year, Caleb has shown the will to work hard, and has been dedicated to improving his game. As a result, he was voted most-improved player last year by his teammates. As Caleb continues to improve, we’re looking to him for increased stability between the pipes.
Ted Piorczynski 6’ 3” 165 lbs
Ted is a junior majoring in Business and is currently single. Ted served in the Peru Mission and calls Oakville, Ontario, Canada home.
Coach Notes: In his first year on the team, Ted is a crucial part of our goalie tandem this year. He is technically sound and understands the key parts of being a goalie at the college level.
Emma Seymour 5’5 Secret
Emma is a freshman majoring in Pre-Med-Physiology and Developmental Biology and is currently single. Cumberland Center, ME is her hometown where she played for Casco Bay U14, 16, 18, Greely High School Rangers. Emma helped the Rangers win the 2012 Maine State Girls Championship, being recognized as All-State Goalie, All Conference and The Forecaster Winter Athlete of the year. Emma also played All-State & All Conference Golf, Varsity Field Hockey, and Softball. This is her fifth year playing hockey and fourth year playing goalie. Emma is the first woman to play for BYU Hockey.
Coach Notes: Emma loves hockey and is excited to play for the Cougars. Her dedication and commitment to the team sets the bar high for the rest of her teammates.
