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MADISON, Wis. – Head coach Mike Hastings announced the additions of three student-athletes via transfer to the Wisconsin men's hockey program.

Joining Badger hockey are forwards Christian Fitzgerald (Coquitlam, British Columbia), David Silye (Arnprior, Ontario) and Simon Tassy (Montreal, Quebec). All three skated for Hastings at Minnesota State last season.

Among the group is the 2023 CCHA Forward of the Year, a BCHL scoring leader and NCAA 16-goal scorer, and a BCHL MVP. 
 
Christian Fitzgerald, So., Coquitlam, British Columbia (Minnesota State, CCHA/Tri-City, USHL)
Forward, 6-0, 178, Shoots: L
Fitzgerald scored 16 goals and 29 points in 38 games as a freshman last season at Minnesota State to rank second in goals and third in points on the squad. He earned a pair of CCHA Rookie of the Week honors, as well as a CCHA Forward of the Week honor, during the season. He was also named CCHA Rookie of the Month for December.

His 16 goals ranked sixth among all CCHA skaters, while his 20 points tied for 11th. In CCHA play, his 12 goals in league play shared seventh, while his 18 league points tied for 20th among all skaters.

He played the 2021-22 season skating for the USHL's Tri-City Storm, where he had eight goals and 19 points in 29 games.

Before the USHL, Fitzgerald played with the BCHL's Surrey Eagles and posted 13 goals and a league-leading 33 points in 19 games during the 2020-21 pod season. His 20 assists were tied for the league lead, which helped him earn the 2020-21 BCHL Coquitlam Pod MVP.

Hastings on Fitzgerald – "Christian Fitzgerald is a versatile forward who can play center as well as wing and be productive at both positions. He has a high skill level with hockey sense and made a significant impact in his freshman season.  He has a great combination of size and skating ability, and plays selfless hockey."
 
David Silye, Sr., Arnprior, Ontario (Minnesota State, CCHA/Clarkson, ECAC)
Forward, 5-11, 184, Shoots: R
The 2023 CCHA Forward of the Year and Minnesota State's team MVP helped lead the Mavericks to the CCHA regular-season and tournament titles, and an NCAA tournament bid during the 2022-23 season. Silye paced the Mavericks with 23 goals and 39 points in 39 games played and was a 2023 First-Team All-CCHA pick. He was also a CCHA Scholar-Athlete and CCHA All-Academic team member.

In CCHA play, Silye led all skaters with 19 goals and ranked second in the league with 29 points. He also led the league with 10 power-play markers, while his 62.2 percent faceoff win percentage (314-505) ranked second.

The three-time CCHA Forward of the Week was also the CCHA Forward of the Month for November and served as a team alternate captain for the 2022-23 campaign.

He recorded eight goals and 17 points in 43 games during his sophomore season at MSU during 2021-22. That included two game-winning tallies and a plus-20 rating. That also included a hat trick against St. Thomas outdoors during Hockey Day Minnesota on Jan. 22, 2022, at Blakeslee Stadium, the Mavericks football stadium.

Silye began his collegiate player career at Clarkson, where he posted three assists in 17 games as a freshman during the 2020-21 season.

In four seasons of junior hockey in the BCHL he totaled 59 goals and 181 points in 218 contests. He served as team captain and ranked sixth in the BCHL with Penticton during the 2019-20 season with 62 points on 20 goals and 42 assists to earn team MVP. He also played for Canada West at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge.

Hastings on Silye – "David Silye has continued to get better every year. His versatility as a player allows him to play all three forward positions and contribute in all areas of the game. He takes tremendous pride in being one of the best faceoff men in college hockey. He's a great teammate and leads by example."
 
Simon Tassy, So., Montreal, Quebec (Minnesota State, CCHA/Salmon Arm, BCHL)
Forward, 6-2, 190, Shoots: R
Tallied a goal and five points in an injury-shortened 15-game season as a rookie for Minnesota State during the 2022-23 campaign. That followed his 2021-22 season when he was named the Vern Dye Memorial Trophy winner as BCHL MVP after posting 38 goals and 78 points in 53 games for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks as an alternate captain. He added five goals and 12 points in 10 playoff games.

Mark Zengerle (2009), Kyle Turris (2007), Paul Houck (1981), John Newberry (1980) and Ron Vincent (1978) are past Badgers who have won the Vern Dye Memorial Trophy.

Tassy recorded 66 goals, 56 assists and 122 points in 124 games over three seasons with the Silverbacks. He also added six goals and 14 points in 14 postseason contests.

During the 2020-21 BCHL season that was played in pods, Tassy led the league with 18 goals and ranked seventh with 27 points in 20 games to earn BCHL Vernon Pod MVP.

Hastings on Tassy - "Simon Tassy is a power forward who has shown to be a goal scorer at every level he has played. He has high-end work ethic and character. We look forward to him having a full summer to prepare to make a significant impact on our team this upcoming season."

Season tickets for the 2023-24 Wisconsin men's hockey season and the start of a new era in Badger hockey are on sale now.