UVM men's hockey: Catamounts snag Vermont native Jack Kurrle

Here’s the question — albeit an unfair one at this point — for the most recent University of Vermont men’s hockey commit: Will you, Jack Kurrle, be as fine a Catamount player as your occasional baby-sitter?

The 15-year-old native Vermonter shares a hometown with UVM alum Amanda Pelkey of Montpelier. Since the Pelkeys and Kurrles are friends, Amanda occasionally babysat Kurrle in his younger days. Pelkey, of course, is not only the Catamounts’ finest women’s player but an U.S. Olympic gold medalist.

Kurrle, who informed the Vermont coaching staff of his decision to become a Catamount on Tuesday, will be a few years in arriving. He’s scheduled to show upon campus in the fall of 2022 or 2023.

At 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, he’s a left-shooting forward for the Selects Academy 15-U team at South Kent (Conn.) School. He is a sophomore and expects to play junior hockey for a year or two after graduating from the Selects.

As for becoming a Catamount, he said, it’s the fulfillment of a life-long dream. While playing for the Vermont Glades and the Vermont Flames, he and his teammates sometimes took in UVM games
at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

He said he loved the atmosphere and excitement of The Gut and thrilled that the venerable Quonset hut will retain many of its unique qualities during an extensive upcoming renovation.

“I’m super excited for that. I’m glad they aren’t completely changing the rink. I like how it feels now but I’m excited about the new locker room and everything,” he said. “As a kid I always dreamed of playing there … the crowd was so noisy and I knew I just wanted to go there.”

Kurrle said he did not visit other schools but made a non-hockey trip to UVM to be certain it was also the right school academically.

Of his hockey skills, Kurrle said, “I’d say I’m very powerful. I dig in the corners, but I also like my open ice. I like having speed and grit.”

This year, he has 13 goals and 39 points in 29 games for SA 15U on a high-powered line with Tyler Ribera and Cam MacDonald. He spent two years with the Vermont Flames, recording 45 goals and 64 points in 56 games last season.

“I have played alongside of some of the best 2003 born players in North America, both here in Vermont and most recently at Selects Academy,” said Kurrle, who singled out coaches Jon Hutcheon (Selects Academy), Dave Pavlik (Flamers), Matt Miles (Flames), Brian Bernadet (Glades) and his uncle, Dan Hill, his CVSA coach, for his development.

Recently, Kurrle missed three U15 national tournament qualifying games when hospitalized with an illness but returned for the championship game to be eligible for the nationals, which are in the spring.

Kurrle said he never attended enough UVM games to develop any favorites. As for his occasional baby-sitter and soon-to-be Catamount hockey family member, Kurrle said, “I’ve skated with her a few times and I’ve been impressed with her talent.”

Correspondent Ted Ryan covers UVM hockey for The Burlington Free Press. Contact him at TedRyanVT@aol.com and follow him on Twitter at @TedRyanVT.