Men's Hockey | 6/24/2010 10:12:26 AM

ROCHESTER, NY – RIT Men's Hockey Head Coach Wayne Wilson has announced the Class of 2014. The group of seven student-athletes includes three forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender. Four student-athletes from the incoming class are from the United States and three hail from Canada.

“We are really happy with our incoming class of newcomers,” stated Wilson, who will enter his 12th season as head coach of the Tigers. “All seven guys can come in and play right away and will be a big part of our team in 2010-11 and beyond.  We had needs to fill in net, on defense, and upfront, and feel this class will be a strong addition to go along with our returners.”

Forwards Ben Lynch (Blaine, MN/Lincoln Stars), Mike Colavecchia (Maple, Ontario/Lindsay Muskies), and Adam Mitchell (Crofton, MD/Baystate Breakers) are a strong trio who will add plenty of offense for the Tigers.

Lynch, a 5-foot-10 forward, tallied 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points with Lincoln of the USHL in 2009-10.  He recorded five power-play goals and three game-winning tallies.  He was Lincoln's second leading scorer.  Lynch also played two seasons for Cedar Rapids of the USHL in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Colavecchia, a quick, 5-foot-10 forward, recorded 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points, while playing at a plus-15 in just 25 regular season games for the Lindsay Muskies of the Central Canadian Hockey League in 2009-10.  In addition, he added eight points (1-7-8) in six playoff games.  Colavecchia recorded at least three points five times, including four goals and an assist in a win over Hamilton on Feb. 5.  He opened the year with 18 points over his first 10 games and ended the season with 18 points over his final 11 contests.

Mitchell led the Baystate Breakers of the Eastern Junior Hockey League with 30 goals, and 47 points in 39 games during the 2009-10 season.  Mitchell, who stands 6-foot-2, was fourth in the league in goals and among the leaders with eight power-play tallies and five game-winning goals.  Mitchell recorded three hat-tricks, including a four-goal effort in a win over Valley on Sept. 20, 2009.

“All three forwards fit into our up-tempo system really well,” said Wilson, the 2010 Spencer Penrose Award winner as Division I National Coach of the Year.  “Ben Lynch and Mike Colavecchia have great speed and skill, and are good playmakers who can find the back of the net.  Adam Mitchell has good size and strength, and is a gifted goal scorer who can also play a physical game.”

On defense, Greg Noyes (Lucan, Ontario/Salmon Arm Silverbacks), Elliot Raibl (Vancouver, British Columbia/Quesnel Millionaires), and Nolan Descoteaux (Dallas, TX/South Shore Kings) all have a strong offensive side in addition to solid play in the defensive zone.  All three are excellent skaters who can contribute at both ends of the ice immediately.  

Noyes, who stands, 6-foot-1, led all defenseman in the British Columbia Hockey League with 22 goals and 13 power-play tallies.  He added 33 assists for 55 points in 60 games.  Noyes, who led Salmon Arm to 29 wins last season, added four game-winning goals and could see time on RIT's power-play right away.

Raibl captained the Quesnel Millionaires in 2009-10, recording 46 points on seven goals and a team-best 39 assists in 60 games.  Raibl, who stands 6-foot tall, led Quesnel to the second round of the BCHL playoffs, recording six points in 12 games.

Descoteaux, a strong, 6-foot tall blue-liner, scored 13 goals and added 26 assists for 39 points in 39 games to lead the South Shore defensemen in scoring.  He was brilliant in four playoff games, scoring eight points (1-7-8) in four games.  Descoteaux, who opened the season with 14 points over his first seven games, led the Kings to the 2010 Eastern Junior Hockey League Southern Division Championship.      

“All three of our incoming defensemen have a strong offensive game and should fit in right away,” said Wilson.  “Greg Noyes did an excellent job running the power-play for Salmon Arm last season, and has great poise to go along with a great shot from the point.  Elliot Raibl is a very good puck moving defenseman, who plays well in his own zone and competes extremely hard.  Nolan Descoteaux is a big, strong player who is a smooth skater.  He moves the puck really well.  All three fit into our up-tempo style of play.”

In net, Josh Watson (Lititz, PA/Powell River) will make his debut for the Tigers in 2010-11.  Watson led Powell River to within one win of the 2010 Fred Page Cup.  During the regular season, Watson was 21-12-1 with a 21-12-1 with a 2.27 goals against average, .919 save percentage, and two shutouts.  In the 2010 playoffs, Watson was tremendous, going 15-8, with league leading totals of 15 wins, four shutouts, and a .927 save percentage.  He was second with a 1.92 goals against average.

"Josh is a technically sound goaltender," said Wilson.  "He is extremely athletic, and at at 6-foot-2, has good size.  Josh enjoyed a tremendous season with Powell River, and will come in and compete for the starting role with Shane (Madolora) and Jan (Ropponen)."

RIT finished the 2009-10 season with a team record 28 wins. The Tigers were 28-12-1, won its first Atlantic Hockey Association postseason and advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four in just its fifth season as a Division I program.