Janviriya Commits to UConn
Published on November 30, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Lincoln Stars defenseman Kai Janviriya has committed to play college hockey at the University of Connecticut, an NCAA Division I program in the Hockey East Conference.
Janviriya, 18, has a goal and four assists in 19 games with the Stars this season. He was selected overall and in the round of the 2023 USHL Phase II Draft. Janviriya scored his first goal with the Stars on Nov. 22 against the Tri-City Storm.
"I visited this past weekend and really liked it a lot," Janviriya said. "Really liked spending time with the coaching staff, seeing the campus and the facility, spending time with the guys there and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me. The coaching staff there dod a great job of getting me out and I appreciate (head coach) Rocky (Russo) for letting me go out. It was a quick visit but it was good to get out there."
The Bloomfield Hills, Mich. native previously played two seasons for the the United States National Team Development Program. Janviriya scored four goals and added 12 assists over 58 games from the previous two seasons.
UConn is 6-8-1 and coming off a 6-1 win over Dartmouth last Saturday to match its largest margin of victory this season. Current Husky Matthew Wood was selected 15th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators to become the highest draft pick in UConn's history.
The Huskies are led by Mike Cavanaugh, who is in his 11th season at the helm of UConn's hockey team. He led the Huskies to a 20-16-0 record in 2021-22 to tie for the school's most wins in their Division-I era. Cavanaugh was also a finalist for the Hockey East Bob Kullen Award for Coach of the Year in 2020-21. Nineteen of Cavanaugh's former players have gone on to be selected in the NHL Draft.
"We're very excited to announce Kai's commitment," Russia said. "Kai has been a leader for us since the day he walked in the door. He's mature, he's accountable, he's disciplined. For us, he's been a difference maker so I'm really excited to see him continue to develop and ultimately move and be a big part of the success with Coach Cavanaugh's club."
Janviriya and the Stars are on the road this weekend to face the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on Friday and the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Saturday. Lincoln returns home Dec. 8-10 to face the Fargo Force with the first game of that weekend being $2 Night with select beers and concessions available for just $2. Purchase tickets here.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2023
- Janviriya Commits to UConn - Lincoln Stars
- Justin Solovey Announces Commitment to Harvard - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Herd Heads on the Road to Kick off December - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Lancers Look to Continue Solid Play against the U.S. National Development Team in a Pair of Home Games - Omaha Lancers
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