Men's Hockey | 6/1/2010 12:37:43 PM

ROCHESTER, NY – Freshman defenseman Chris Tanev (Toronto, Ontario/) of the RIT men's hockey team became the second player since the program moved to Division I in 2005 to leave school early and sign a professional contract.  Tanev officially signed a three-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks of National Hockey League  on Monday and will report to training camp in September.

Tanev enjoyed a tremendous season for the Tigers, helping lead the squad to its first trip to the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the Frozen Four.  Tanev played in all 41 games and recorded 28 points on 10 goals and 18 assists.  He led the team and was among the national leaders with a plus-33 rating.  Tanev was the 2010 Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year and earned All-AHA third team honors.  He was a three-time AHA Rookie of the Week and earned 2010 Atlantic Hockey Championship All-Tournament Team honors.

The first-year defenseman helped lead RIT to the AHA regular season and postseason championship. The Tigers finished 22-5-1 in conference play and 28-12-1 overall this season. The 28 wins are a school record for wins in a season.  In addition the 22 wins and 45 points in conference play were AHA records.  Behind the play of Tanev, the Tiger defense allowed just 1.82 goals per game in AHA play, and were fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 2.20 goals per contest.  RIT set a school record by recording eight shutouts in 2009-10.

Tanev recorded five multiple-point games, and scored in 23 different contests.  He tallied two power-play goals and two game-winners, while taking just two minor penalties for the entire season.  Tanev tallied four points in seven post-season games, and scored the game's first goal in RIT's 2-1 win over No. 2 Denver at the NCAA Regional Semifinal on March 26.

“We are really excited for Chris to have an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing professional hockey,” said RIT Head Coach Wayne Wilson. “Chris enjoyed an outstanding freshman year and was a key part of our success.  He is a tremendous skater, passer, and has a great feel for the game.  As Chris gets stronger, he will have a great chance to play in the NHL."

Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) was the first Tiger to leave school early and sign a contract with the Washington Capitals in March, 2007.  Pinizzotto is looking to help lead the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League to their second straight Calder Cup Championship, as they begin play in the finals against the Texas Stars.  Pinizzotto recorded 41 points (13-28-41) and was a team-best plus-40 with 124 penalty minutes in 69 regular season games for the Bears in 2009-10.  He has six points in 15 playoff games.