Air Force hockey welcomes six newcomers

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force hockey team is proud to welcome six members of the Class of 2026, as announced by head coach Frank Serratore. The class arrived at the Academy on June 23 for in-processing and just completed Basic Cadet Training.

21 Liam Hansson
Forward | Freshman | 6-1, 185 | Shoots: Right
Ramsey, NJ | Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL)
Played 149 games of junior hockey over four seasons … Began his career in 2018-19, scoring a goal in 11 games with AIK J18/J20 (Stockholm, Sweden season) … Played six games for the Karlskrona J20 (Karlskrona, Sweden) to start the 2019-20 season before moving to the Jamestown Rebels (NAHL) … Had 31 points (9-22-31) in 47 games with the Rebels … In 2020-21, had 30 points (10-20-30) in 34 games with the Chippewa Steel (NAHL) … In 2021-22, had 36 points (8-28-36) in 51 games with the Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL) … Two assists in four playoff games with the Bucks … Graduated from the Enlightium Academy in Sweden … Father, Patrik, played for Northern Michigan from 1993-95.

6 Chris Hedden
Defense | Freshman | 6-0, 185 | Shoots: Left
Kalamazoo, MI / Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Before Air Force: Played 103 games of junior hockey over three seasons … Played in two games with the Shreveport Mudbugs of the NAHL in 2019-20 … Played 51 games with the Mudbugs in 2020-21 and had 29 points (4-25-29) in 51 games and was a +21 … Five points (1-4-5) in 10 playoff games … In 2020-21, the Mudbugs won the Robertson Cup Championship … NAHL All-Rookie team, NAHL All-South Division and All-Robertson Cup in 2020-21 … Spent the entire 2021-22 season in the USHL … Played 15 games and had five points (1-4-5) for the Youngstown Phantoms and then had 18 points (9-9-18) for the Omaha Lancers in 35 games … Graduated from Mattawan High School.

13, Mason McCormick
Forward | Freshman | 6-3, 190 | Shoots: Left
Verona, WI | Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
Before Air Force: Played 153 games of junior hockey over four seasons … Played 26 games for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL in 2018-19 and had one goal … In 2019-20, he played 17 games with the Austin Bruins (NAHL) and had six points (2-4-6) … That same season, he played 18 games with the Springfield Junior Blues (NAHL) and had10 points (2-8-10) … Played 46 games with the Shreveport Mudbugs in 2020-21 and has 22 points (7-15-22) .. In 2021-22, he played 46 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) and had 16 points 97-9-16).

55 Brett Oberle
Defense | Freshman | 5-11, 180 | Shoots: Left
Woodbury, MN | Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)
Before Air Force: Played 132 games of junior hockey over three seasons … Played 43 games with the Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) in 2019-20 and had 16 points (1-15-16) and was a +10 … Played in 42 games with the Magicians in 2020-21 and had 14 points 95-9-14) … Played in 10 playoff games and had six points (4-2-6) … In 2021-22, played in 47 games with the Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) and had 20 points (4-16-20) … Was an assistant captain for the Wild … Competed in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in 2020 … Graduated from Hill Murray High School … Lettered three years in hockey for the Pioneers … First-team all-conference twice … Helped lead team to the 2017 and 2018 Section 4AA Championship … Also lettered twice as a catcher in baseball … On the Hill Murry B Honor Roll all four years.

18 Holt Oliphant
Forward | Freshman | 5-10, 185 | Shoots: Right
Northbrook, IL | Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
Before Air Force: Played 108 games over two seasons for the Johnston Tomahawks (NAHL) … In 2020-21, had 31 points (12-19-31) in 53 games … In 2021-22, had 44 points (18-26-44) in 55 games … Also had a goal in the playoffs … Tomahawks captain in 2021-22 … Earned the 2022 NAHL Leadership Award … Graduated from Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass. … Helped lead the Spartans to the 2019-20 Keller Championship … Team captain and Unsung Hero in 2019-20 … Was also the lacrosse team captain and MVP.

30 Aaron Randazzo
Goalie | Freshman | 6-0, 185 | Catches: Left
Alexandria, MN | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Before Air Force: Played 116 games of junior hockey over four seasons … Spent the 2018-19 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) … Played 22 games and had a 3.23 GAA and a .880 saves percentage with a 10-8-0 record … In 2019-20, played 18 games with the Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL) and 10 games with the Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) … Had a 2.92 GAA and a .916 saves percentage in Odessa and a 3.31 GAA and a .860 saves percentage in Maryland … Played 22 games with the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) in 2020-21 and had a 3.62 GAA and a .884 saves percentage with a 10-8-2 record … In 2021-22, played 43 games with the Gamblers and had a 3.63 GAA and a .888 saves percentage with a 13-21-4 record … Earned USHL Goalie of the Week honors in 2018-19 and 2021-22 … Father, Rick, is a 1993 Army West Point graduate, who scored over 100 career points for the Black Knights … served as a cavalry officer and Army Ranger and was the head club hockey coach at the United States Naval Academy for eight years, winning over 120 games … is presently the co-founder and Academy Director of the North Star Christian Academy in Alexandria, Minn.

Players Mentioned

Liam Hansson

Chris Hedden

Mason McCormick

Brett Oberle

Holt Oliphant

Aaron Randazzo

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