Men's Hockey | 9/23/2016 10:24:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men's hockey team will attempt to win its third consecutive Atlantic Hockey Conference Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the Division I era as 19 returners and seven newcomers join forces for the 2016-17 season.
 
With seven seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores returning, including 12 forwards, four defensemen, and three goaltenders, expectations are high for this season, which starts with an exhibition contest against Brock University at the Gene Polisseni Center on Oct. 1.
 
"We have good depth up and down the lineup, begin the season healthy, and are ready to go," said RIT head coach Wayne Wilson, now entering his 18th season. "We have a great core of leaders who know what it takes to win and always have high expectations of making the NCAA Tournament. We are excited for the challenge of defending our two league titles."
 
The Tigers, who won their second consecutive Atlantic Hockey title and advanced to the 2016 NCAA East Regional Semifinal, open the regular season with a rematch of the Atlantic Hockey Championship with two home games against Robert Morris on Oct. 7-8 before hosting the University of Connecticut at Blue Cross Arena as the focal point of Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 15. RIT goes out on the road the following weekend to take on ECAC foes Union and Rensselaer and will host 2015 NCAA Champion Providence College for a pair of games at the Gene Polisseni Center on Dec. 9-10. The Tigers close out the competitive non-conference schedule vs. Bowling Green State University in Toledo, Ohio on Dec. 30.
 
"We like to play as demanding a non-conference schedule as possible to prepare us for league play and get us ready for the postseason," said Wilson, who has 320 wins behind the bench for the Tigers. "This season is no exception. Connecticut will be a tough test downtown, while Union and RPI are tough in their home rinks. Providence won the national title in 2015, while Bowling Green was a top-10 team for most of last season."
 
With 11 teams in Atlantic Hockey, the Tigers will play four games against Air Force Academy, Bentley University, Canisius College, and Robert Morris and two each versus American International College, Army West Point, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst University, Niagara University, and Sacred Heart University. In all, 28 of RIT's 34 games are against AHC rivals.

"Our league is very balanced and difficult to win, as the regular season champion has only won one playoff championship (RIT in 2010)," said Wilson. "It is very important to develop and improve as the season progresses so we are peaking playing our best hockey come playoff time."
 
Junior defensemen Brady and Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), along with forward Myles Powell (Courtenay, British Columbia/Cowichan Valley Capitals) will serve as captains in 2016-17. That trio, along with RIT's seven seniors will be counted on heavily to lead the squad.
 
"Senior leadership is always important and we feel we have a great group in addition to our three captains," said Wilson. "Our upperclassmen know what it takes to win and lead the way after playing big roles in the back-to-back league championships. They will lead a very talented group of younger guys, who we like a lot."
 
Up front, RIT returns a large group of talent ready to take the next step in 2016-17.
 
Powell enjoyed a breakout season in 2015-16 leading the team with 15 goals, while adding 17 assists for 32 points, second most on the squad. He also led the Tigers with eight power-play goals, four game-winning tallies, and was the 2016 Atlantic Hockey Championship Most Valuable Player.
 
Seniors Caleb Cameron (Sundridge, Ontario/Listowel Cyclones), Danny Smith (Edmonton, Alberta/Sherwood Park Crusaders), Todd Skirving (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Sioux Falls Stampede), Alex Perron-Fontaine (St. Mathieu de Beloeil, Quebec/Chilliwack Chiefs), and Garrett McMullen (Churchville, NY/Trail Smoke Eaters) return for their final season. Skirving emerged as a top penalty-killer, while chipping in with 16 points, while Cameron recorded 15 points. Smith battled injuries in 2015-16 but served a major role in RIT's postseason run. Perron-Fontaine made the move from defense to center RIT's fourth line, while McMullen is a timely scorer.
 
Sophomores Gabe Valenzuela (Brampton, Ontario/North York Rangers), Liam Kerins (Caledon, Ontario/North York Rangers), and Erik Brown (Keene, Ontario/Kemptville 73's) formed a strong trio a year ago and could make an even greater impact this season. Valenzuela, a 2016 Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team selection, led all RIT first-year players in scoring with 28 points on 13 goals and 15 assists. Kerins, an Atlantic Hockey All-Tournament Team selection, scored eight goals in a nine-game stretch late in the season to finish the year with 22 points on 13 goals and nine assists. Brown was one of RIT's most consistent players all season, recording 17 points on seven goals and 10 assists.
 
Junior Max Mikowski (Cheekotwaga, NY/Buffalo Jr. Sabres), along with sophomores Abbott Girduckis (Belleville, Ontario/Wellington Dukes) and Mark Logan (Calgary, Alberta/Brooks Bandits ) will look to take the next step forward in 2016-17. Girduckis and Logan combined for 16 points a season ago.
 
A trio of newcomers join the forward ranks, who combine speed, grit, scoring, and size as they get acclimated to the collegiate game. Shawn Cameron (Sherbrooke, Quebec/Cumberland Grads) led the Central Canadian Junior League in scoring last season, while Ryan Kruper (Sherwood Park, Alberta/Sherwood Park Crusaders) was an all-star in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Jordan Peacock (Burlington, Ontario/Burlington Cougars) is RIT's tallest player at 6-foot-6 and could emerge as a power forward.
 
"We have a lot of balance and depth up front with guys pushing each other for playing time," said Wilson. "Each class is well represented and we are excited to see what they can accomplish."
 
Defensively, the Norrish twins will lead a young unit that will incorporate four newcomers into the lineup. Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers) was named the Atlantic Hockey Defenseman of the Year in 2015-16 and was an all-league first team selection, recording 21 points in 24 games. Brady Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), a two-time All-Atlantic Hockey third team selection, has not missed a game in two seasons with 38 points in 78 career contests.
 
Junior Matt Abt (Leduc, Alberta/Whitecourt Wolverines ) and senior Michael Holland (Rye, NH/Chicago Steel) will also help lead the Tigers defense in 2016-17. Both are physical defensemen who play the body and play a stay at home style. Wilson has brought in four highly touted blue-liners, as freshmen Darren Brady (Lake Orion, MI/New Jersey Titans), Adam Brubacher (Elmira, Ontario/Powell River Kings), Chris McKay (Edmonton, Alberta/Sherwood Park Crusaders), and Brody Valette (High River, Alberta/Whitecourt Wolverines) will all push for playing time right away. McKay stands 6-foot-5, while Brubacher is 6-foot-4, both strong in their own zone. Brady and Valette both bring an offensive flair and are strong skaters.
 
"We have a young group on defense as opposed to last year, with four freshmen, but we like where we are at," said Wilson. "Our veterans have all played a big role in our two league championships and will help the newcomers get acclimated quickly."

In goal, Mike Rotolo (Rochester, NY/Cedar Rapids Roughriders) returns for his senior season and will be counted on to lead the way. Rotolo battled through a long injury in 2015-16 before returning to help RIT make its postseason run. He was 4-0 in the Atlantic Hockey Championship Tournament, earning All-Tournament Team honors. Overall, Rotolo finished with eight wins, a 2.71 goals against average and a .907 save percentage in 19 games played. Sophomore Christian Short (Vaughan, Ontario/Surrey Eagles) will look to push Rotolo for the starting role after playing in 18 games last season, finishing 8-6-3 with a 2.76 goals against average. Sophomore Gavin Lewis (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) joined the Tigers late last season and has shown great improvement. He will provide depth and push for time.
 
"We are really excited to get underway and see where we stand against some of the top teams in college hockey," said Wilson. Our goals continue to be the same year in and year out, putting ourselves in position to host come playoff time, win the league championship, and get to the NCAA Tournament."