MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's hockey team announced its incoming class of 2024 signees on Wednesday, welcoming two forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender to the program.

The class includes forward Ryan Botterill (Portage la Prairie, Manitoba), goaltender Anton Castro (Mendota Heights, Minnesota), defenseman Logan Hensler (Woodbury, Minnesota), forward Gavin Morrissey (Rochester Hills, Michigan) and defenseman Jack Phelan (Hinsdale. Illinois).

"I think they address our needs right now," head coach Mike Hastings said about the signees. "I think on the back end, when you take Hensler and you take Phelan, they're two very different players. I think one's a very good defender who you're gonna see kill a lot of penalties for us and another one that I think has real power-play upside. So, you get a lot of different roles. It's the same thing with the forward group with Botterill who's a true left winger and shooter, and Morrissey who I think is a cerebral centerman and more of a distributor. Then there's Castro in goal who's had a great start. I love the balance of the group."

Ryan Botterill
Forward, 5-11, 176, L
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Botterill currently skates with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Through 16 games so far this season, he's notched eight goals and 15 points, including three power-play goals. Before joining the Phantoms, Botterill played three years with the Portage Terriers of the MJHL, tallying 45 goals and 73 points over 57 games during the 2022-23 season.

His 45 goals last season led the MJHL, which helped him earn MJHL First Team All-Star honors. He was named recipient of the Frank McKinnon Memorial Trophy which is based on his outstanding sportsmanship and playing ability.

Hastings on Botterill: "Botterill's got a really good stick. He's shoot the puck well and has always had a knack for scoring if you look at his history coming from the MJHL. He's made a quick transition to the USHL."

Anton Castro
Goaltender, 6-1, 178, L
Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Fargo Force (USHL)

Castro has been a member of the USHL's Fargo Force since 2021. Through the opening stretch of the 2023-24 season, he's posted a 1.75 goals-against average and maintained a .916 save percentage, with wins in seven of eight games played. Last season, Castro helped backstop Fargo to the Clark Cup Final after posting a 19-10-2-1 record, .914 save percentage and 2.40 goals-against average in 33 regular-season games playing for current UW assistant coach Nick Oliver and alongside current Badger freshman Joe Palodichuk.

Before joining the Force, Castro skated with the NAHL's Aberdeen Wings and Northeast Generals.

Hastings on Castro: "Absolutely love his start right now. He's athletic and I think he's very poised for a goalie. He's in a situation where he's butting heads with a draft pick in Fargo right now, so more than anything we love the way he's handled that and he's off to a really good start." 

Logan Hensler
Defense, 6-2, 197, R
Woodbury, Minnesota
U.S Under-18 Team

A member of USA Hockey's NTDP Under-18 Team, Hensler has two goals and nine assists in 17 games against college and USHL opponents this season. He tallied five goals and 23 assists for 28 points through 60 games with the U-17 squad last season. Hensler recently helped Team USA to a gold medal in the 2023 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament in Finland, including notching an assist on the tournament-winning goal.

Before joining the NTDP, Hensler skated for the Hill-Murray School, racking up seven goals and 17 assists over 31 games during the 2021-22 season.

Hastings on Hensler: "The first thing that comes up about Logan is just how athletic he is and what a great skater he is. He brings an offensive upside to his game. We're probably most excited about his growth from last year – you can tell now that he just continues to get better every day." 

Gavin Morrissey
Forward, 5-11, 181, L
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Fargo Force (USHL)

Morrissey comes to Wisconsin from the Fargo Force of the USHL. Last season, he captained the NAHL's Austin Bruins before having his USHL rights picked up by Fargo. He tallied 17 goals and 61 points as the top-line center for the Bruins in 2022-23. Morrissey previously played for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies and Tri–State Spartans AAA teams.

Hastings on Morrissey: "Gavin Morrissey is a very cerebral, smart centerman. He's very flexible in terms of how you can play him in a lot of different spots up and down your lineup. He can kill penalties and he's been on the power play. He was a captain last year in Austin, and I think it's important to have guys that were in your locker room that have been in leadership roles." 

Jack Phelan
Defense, 6-2, 171, R
Hinsdale, Illinois
Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)

Phelan was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round at No. 137 during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He currently captains the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL and has four assists through 16 games. Last season, he totaled one goal and five points in 59 games. Prior to joining the Stampede, Phelan played for the Chicago Mission AAA team and spent 12 games with the NAHL's North Iowa Bulls.

Hastings on Phelan: "He's a long, mobile defender. Really good penalty killer. Another one that's wearing a "C" on his jersey right now for Sioux Falls in terms of a leadership role. We're really excited because he can play a lot of different roles too, but more so than anything he prides himself on being a very good defender."