Sztuska Joining REDS

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS, seven-time and defending Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey champions, are adding veteran goaltender Liam Sztuska to their recruiting class of 2025.

The 21-year-old has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2025-2026 AUS season.

“Liam has shown a strong desire to join our program for quite some time, and we were on him last year,” said REDS’ head coach Rob Hennigar. “To finally make it official is great for our program. We’re excited to have Liam as part of the group and look forward to seeing what he can provide for us in net.”

Sztuska played in 75 Canadian Hockey League regular season games over four seasons and saw action in both the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League with the Shawinigan Cataracts and Peterborough Petes.

“It means a lot to me to join such a prestigious program and school,” said Sztuska. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity and privilege of putting on the UNB jersey as well as being surrounded with other great like-minded players, all with the common goal to help continue to bring more championships to the school.”

The 2024-25 season was a busy one for Sztuska, who started the season in Peterborough before moving to Shawinigan and ending the season with Cowichan, of the British Columbia Hockey League.

“I’d describe myself as a goalie who is athletic and reads plays well,” he said. “I never give up on pucks and doing everything I can to stop the puck. I also take pride in my skating and edge work. I think I have great rebound control, shifting pucks to corners to help make my defenders’ jobs easier.” 

Sztuska, who chose UNB over other options, says the REDS’ history of winning was a huge factor in his decision. He’s also familiar with soon-to-be second year UNB forward Jax Dubois. The pair won an OHL championship together in Peterborough. Sztuska has played with or against a handful of UNB’s other 2025 recruits.

“He has championship pedigree and knows a lot of players on the team, and they speak highly of his game,” said Coach Hennigar. “He has a great opportunity to grow and develop here and work on his craft. He’s diligent in his preparation and works extremely hard, exactly what we look for in all our student-athletes.”

Sztuska will study Business while attending UNB.