The Wildcats have landed their first commitment for the 2024/25 season with the addition of shutdown defensemen, Lachlan Gibson.

Gibson, standing 6’2”, 200-pounds, comes from Peapack, New Jersey and has spent the last four years playing in the NCDC with the New Jersey Rockets, also serving as a team captain.

“I chose the University of Arizona because of the incredible college hockey experience, the vast resources of a state school, as well as the winning culture and commitment to excellence that has been established here,” said Lachlan Gibson. “I am really excited to get started.”

Gibson brings a ton of experience to the Wildcats. Not to mention, a big body defenseman that coach Berman has been looking for.

“When you talk with Lachlan on the phone you can immediately tell you are talking to an adult,” said coach Berman. “He fits everything we are looking for on and off the ice. He brings a ton of experience, maturity and leadership, having played 4 years in the NCDC. We feel that we have an opportunity this summer to reshape our back end. We would like to get a longer and tougher to play against without compromising mobility and puck movement. In a nutshell, that’s what we are getting with Lachlan. He is a shutdown defenseman that skates well and wins puck battles consistently. We can use him either as a matchup pair defenseman or as a compliment to a more offensive defensemen, knowing that he can think the game at a high level. He and his defensive partner with the Rockets have been matched up all season on the PAL Islanders top line, which is a very strong line, and limited their damage for 6 games now. It’s been impressive to see and really gets me excited to add him to our roster.”

For now, the Wildcats will be heading to St. Louis next week for the 2024 ACHA National Tournament taking on #20 Pittsburgh March 7, 2024, at 10:45am CST. The winner will advance to play #4 Jamestown the following morning. You can follow all the action by tuning in to the live stream with Flohockey.tv.