TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head men's hockey coach Seth Appert has announced the team's Class of 2013. The group of five student-athletes includes four forwards and a goaltender. Three from the incoming class are from the United States while two hail from Canada.

“This class will provide an influx of talent into our program but, as importantly; they bring a wealth of winning experience and success on the highest of stages,” said Appert. “Jim Montgomery and Shawn Kurulak have once again done an outstanding job of putting together a nationally-competitive class, which will push our program towards higher levels of success in the years to come.”

Below is an alphabetical list of Rensselaer's recruits with their 2009-10 statistics, notes and a quote from Coach Appert:

Jerry D'Amigo * Forward * 5-11/190 * Binghamton, NY/U.S. National Under-18 Team
50 games … 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points … Led USA Under-18 team in scoring during gold medal run at World Championships … Named to All-Tournament Team … Rated 67th in final National Hockey League Central Scouting Ranking leading into NHL Entry Draft.
“Jerry is a world-class skater and competitor. He has the talent, work ethic and experience to be one of the elite freshmen in all of college hockey.”

C.J. Lee * Forward * 5-11/190 * Staten Island, NY/Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
65 games … 27 goals and 33 assists for 60 points (including playoffs) … Captain … Team won Anderson Cup … Second in USHL in short-handed goals, eighth in plus-minus and 17th in scoring.
“CJ is a high-level competitor and leader. He has gained great experience and confidence with leading Green Bay to the Anderson Cup. He will be an instant fan favorite with his speed and tenacity.”

Bryce Merriam * Goaltender * 6-3/200 * Bethel Park, PA/Topeka RoadRunners (NAHL)
40 games … 26 wins, 8 losses, 4 ties … 2.01 GAA … .917 save % … Third in NAHL in goals against average and sixth in save percentage … Named to NAHL Top Prospects Game.
“Bryce is a very competitive goaltender. His track record of individual and team success in junior hockey speaks to his athleticism and commitment to improving himself and his teammates.”

Marty O'Grady * Forward * 5-11/180 * London, ON/Wellington Dukes (OJHL)
68 games … 39 goals and 53 assists for 92 points (including playoffs) … Assistant captain of Team Canada East at World Junior 'A' Challenge in November … Second on team in scoring … Fifth in OJHL in playoff scoring.
“Marty is a highly intelligent two-way player. He possesses the talent, but more importantly the intangibles, that a team needs to win championships.”

Brandon Pirri * Forward * 6-0/170 * Toronto, ON/Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
58 games … 54 goals and 61 assists for 115 points (including playoffs) … Led Team Canada East in scoring at World Junior 'A' Challenge in November … Third in OJHL in scoring and first in points per game … 75th in final National Hockey League Central Scouting Ranking leading into NHL Entry Draft.
“Brandon is an extremely talented offensive player. He has the stick skill, creativity and drive to become an elite collegiate player.”