Wisconsin welcomed eight freshmen into its men’s hockey program last season, each of whom carried high expectations to help immediately elevate the Badgers in Year 3 under head coach Mike Hastings. In the end, that group seamlessly blended with the veterans to provide a spark for a team that made a run all the way to the national championship game.

Two of those freshmen from last season — Finn Brink and Grady Deering — are the featured guests on the Badger Connect Podcast this week. Brink, a forward from Maple Grove, Minn., appeared in 27 games with five goals and 13 points. Deering, a forward from Des Moines, Iowa, played in 39 games with seven goals and 15 points.

The teammates and roommates discuss life on and off the ice as they prepare for their sophomore seasons. You can view the full episode here:

(Top photo of Grady Deering and Finn Brink courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics)