One of 13 freshmen on the squad ... one of two players from New York ... one of seven players from the Eastern Junior Hockey League.
BACKGROUND: Born in Suffern, N.Y. ... now calls nearby Pearl River, N.Y. home ... attended Army hockey games as a kid ... 2011 graduate of Don Bosco Prep ... played for head coach Toby Harris and the Jersey Hitmen of the EJHL ... led team to runner-up league finish in 2011 ... team MVP and first-team all-state selection while at Don Bosco ... first-team North Jersey all-star selection as well ... son of Dawn Gericke and Robert Burns ... has three siblings, Kalynn, Shannon and Patrick ... cousin Erin Calderoni is a member of the swim team at Loyola University ... R.J. is the first member of his family to embark on a military career ... enjoys playing golf is his spare time ... lists Martin St. Louis as his favorite athlete.
