Though it’s been a rather tumultuous and loud off-season for the Miami RedHawks and college hockey as a whole, there was one relatively quiet addition to Miami’s roster last week when Danbury, Connecticut’s Shayne Bingham was added as a walk-on for the 2011-12 season.

Bingham, who played high school hockey at Rye Country Day, an independent college prep school located in Rye, N.Y., was initially hoping to play club hockey at Miami after enrolling earlier this year. However, the freshman penned a letter to head coach Enrico Blasi asking for a shot at the big team. With the loss of prized defensive recruit He Who Must Not Be Named Connor Murphy to the Sarnia Sting of the OHL and the impending departures of senior defensemen Will Weber, Cameron Schilling, and Chris Wideman, along with forward/defenseman Matt Tomassoni at season’s end, an extra d-man is a needed insurance policy this year. And, if Bingham makes enough of an impact during practice, he could earn a roster spot next season even when Miami has additional defensemen coming to campus to account for the aforementioned losses.

To be truthful, if Bingham sees the ice this year it likely means injuries or suspensions have decimated the Miami blueline. However, I’m sure he’ll be the hardest worker in practice doing everything he can to earn a shot this year and in the future.

The Journal News of Lower Hudson Valley has a tremendous article on Bingham’s story including the outreach to Coach Blasi that eventually earned him a shot.

Best of luck to Shayne as he begins his Miami career!