The freshman to notice in that game, however, was the 5’8 Du. He played smart, aggressive hockey, including a deke-and-feed assist on the Crimson’s second goal.

Gord Thibodeau, the former head coach and general manager of the Saints, expects it will take “a little while” for Du to get accustomed to college hockey but praised his creativity. So far, he has impressed with his work ethic.

“He’s a very crafty centericeman,” Mazzoleni says. “He’s a very explosive skater. He sees the ice well, and he competes hard. I’ve been really impressed during camp with his intensity.”

“We really don’t have any control over [playing time],” Du says. “The only thing that we can do is work hard.”

Mandes’ similar, all-out-effort attitude is a greater asset than his skills, according to former USNTDP coach Moe Mantha. Mandes actually lived with Mantha’s family for his U-18 year, when he scored 11 goals along with 10 assists.

“Steve is always willing to compete,” Mantha says. “He’s tenacious, works hard, takes to practice the way he wants to play the game.”

His new coach agrees.

“He’s a very tenacious, hard-working kid,” Mazzoleni says. “He’ll run through a wall for you. He’s got a high level of energy and toughness, and he’s an explosive skater. When you’re at the games, you’re going to notice him a lot, just because he’s always around the play.”

With such rave reviews, Mandes’s grit should help him compete for regular playing time. He notched a goal off a rebound in addition to his assist against Guelph.

The biggest of the bunch at 6’2, Maki has the size to develop into a power winger for the Crimson. Mazzoleni compared him to two other power forwards, junior Rob Flynn and senior Rob Fried, when praising Maki’s strength around the walls and net.

Last Friday, Maki appeared only in the third period but had a solid all-around performance. The unequal playing time of the four is to be expected as the coaching staff decides how to integrate the new faces into the Crimson’s game plan.

“Some [freshmen] might get key roles, but others might have to wait patiently and be humble,” Mazzoleni says.

The rookies echo each other when speaking of their desire to help the team and the opportunity to do so. Goals for the season are easily defined by Reese: “To work really hard every chance I get and contribute to this team’s run at a national championship.”

How they’ll contribute remains to be determined. That they’ll put in the effort is certain.

—Staff writer Brenda E. Lee can be reached at belee@fas.harvard.edu.