Montana Tech Hockey Welcomes Butte Irish Alums Cade Holland and Rye Vincent
Montana Tech University (Tech) Hockey has announced the commitment of two Butte Irish alums, bolstering the club’s local prospect pipeline with the Junior A organization.
Pursuing College Education and Hockey in Butte, Montana
Tech Head Coach and General Manager Dave Rathgeber announced that Cade Holland and Rye Vincent will be joining the team. Vincent and Holland previously played for the Butte Irish in the North American Three Hockey League (NA3HL), and Rathgeber is enthusiastic about their upcoming season with Tech.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Cade [Holland] and Rye [Vincent] to the Diggers this season. They will no doubt bring the experience of playing competitive, high-stakes hockey from their Junior careers with the Butte Irish and the championship-winning Helena Bighorns,” Rathgeber said. “They understand the step up from high school hockey and will offer leadership and guidance to some of the freshmen coming in,” he continued.
Cade Holland, Helena, Montana
Hailing from Helena, Holland began his Junior A career with the Bighorns before joining the Irish.
“Cade was a physical presence with some offensive skill as well. He [Holland] 'wrecked' several players last year with big open-ice hits, which will create time and space for other players,” said Irish General Manager and Head Coach Marc Brodeur.
Cade Holland, Helena, Montana
Although Cade has been attending Tech during his Junior A career, he will be appearing for the Diggers for the first time this year.
“Cade [Holland] has been attending Tech for the last year and is excited to step on the ice as a Digger. He's a solid player on the ice and a great locker room guy—we can’t ask for much more!” Rathgeber said.
Rye Vincent, Butte, Montana
Vincent is a local Montana prospect who advanced through Butte’s and Montana’s amateur hockey system to reach the Junior A ranks. During the 2022-2023 season, Vincent made his Junior A debut with the Cobras, appearing in 20 games. Last season, Vincent played 47 games for the Irish, netting several goals and assists.
“Rye [Vincent] was a grinder and hitter for us who also had offensive abilities at times. He is a fast skater who works hard, and Tech is lucky to have him,” Brodeur said.
Rye Vincent, Butte, Montana
Rathgeber is looking forward to having Vincent on the team this year.
“Rye is extremely excited to wear the copper this year. We’ve been working hard to get him registered and enrolled, and his fierce and competitive nature will be a huge asset to us this year and in future years,” Rathgeber said.
Local Hockey Prospects in Butte
Montana Tech Hockey hopes Holland and Vincent will inspire more local Junior A players to consider Montana Tech after their Junior hockey careers.
“We hope that Cade and Rye are the first of many who make the step to Digger Hockey after their time with the Irish. So many amazing players are finishing up their Junior careers right here in Butte, and Tech offers them the opportunity not only to get a phenomenal and affordable education but also to keep playing the game they love at a high level—ensuring they can focus on their studies without being overwhelmed,” Rathgeber said.
Montana Tech Hockey
Montana Tech Hockey has rejoined the ACHA and looks forward to competing in the Mountain West League this year. More information about the program is available on their website.
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Montana Tech University (Tech) Hockey has announced the commitment of two Butte Irish Alum, advancing the club's local prospect pipeline with the Junior A organization.
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Tech Head Coach and General Manager Dave Rathgeber announced that Cade Holland and Rye Vicent. Vincent and Holland spent time with the Butte Irish in the North American Three Hockey League (NA3HL), and Rathgeber is excited to have them play for Tech this upcoming season.
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“We are incredibly excited to welcome Cade [Holland] and Rye [Vincent] to the Diggers this season. They will no doubt bring the experience of playing competitive, high-staked hockey from their Junior careers with the Butte Irish and the championship-winning Helena Bighorns," said Rathgeber. "They understand the step up from high-school hockey and will no doubt offer leadership and guidance to some of the freshmen coming in," he continued.
Cade Holland
Hailing from Helena, Holland started his Junior A career with the Bighorns before coming to the Irish.
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"Cade was a physical presence with some offensive skill as well. He [Holland] 'wrecked' several players last year with big open ice hits and that will create time and space for other players," said Irish General Manager and Head Coach, Marc Brodeur.
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Although Cade had been attending Tech during his Junior A career, he will be appearing for the Diggers this year for the first time.
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"Cade [Holland] has been attending Tech for the last year and is excited to step on the ice as a Digger. He's a solid player on the ice and a great locker room guy - we can't ask for much more!" said Rathgeber.
Rye Vincent
Vincent is a local Montana prospect who advanced through Butte's and Montana's amateur Hockey system to reach the Junior A ranks. During the 2022-2023 season, Vincent made his Junior A debut with the Cobras, where he appeared in 20 games. Last season, Vincent appeared in 47 games for the Irish and netted several goals and assists.
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"Rye [Vincent] was a grinder and hitter for us who had offensive abilities at times as well. He is a fast skater who works hard, and Tech is lucky to have him," Brodeur said.
Coach Rathgber is looking forward to having Vincent on the team this year.
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"Rye is extremely excited to wear the copper this year - we've been working hard to get him registered and enrolled, and his fierce and competitive nature is going to be a huge asset to us for this and future years in the organization," said Rathgeber.
Local Hockey Prospects in Butte
Montana Tech Hockey hopes Holland and Vincent inspire more local Junior A players to consider Montana Tech after their Junior Hockey careers.
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"We hope that Cade and Rye are the first of many that make the step to Digger Hockey after their time with the Irish - so many amazing players are finishing up their Junior careers right here in Butte, and Tech offers them the opportunity to not only get a phenomenal and affordable education but to keep playing the game they love at a high level - ensuring that they still have time focus on their studies without being overwhelmed," Rathgeber said.
Montana Tech Hockey
Montana Tech Hockey has re-joined the ACHA and looks forward to competing in the Mountain West League this year. Their website has more on the program.
