Men's Hockey | 6/8/2017 11:50:00 AM
ROCHESTER, NY – Several former RIT men's hockey standouts enjoyed success at the professional level during the 2016-17 season in both North America and Europe.
Chris Tanev (2009-10) is the lone RIT alumnus to currently play in the National Hockey League, having recorded two goals and eight assists in 53 games played for the Vancouver Canucks in 2016-17. He has appeared in 348 career games, all with the Canucks, in seven NHL seasons. Tanev won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2016 World Championships.
Matt Garbowsky, a 2015 Hobey Baker Finalist, helped lead the Colorado Eagles of the ECHL to the 2017 Kelly Cup Championship. Garbowsky, who played for RIT from 2011-2015, was named the 2017 ECHL All-Star Classic Most Valuable Player. He was among the ECHL leaders with 81 points on 36 goals and 45 assists in 72 games and added 15 points in 20 postseason games.
Nolan Descoteaux (2010-14) tallied 30 points (10-20-30) in 62 games with the Alaska Aces and Allen Americans, while
Greg Amlong (O'Fallon, MO/UMass Lowell) (2014-16) appeared in 59 games with the Elmira Jackals and Wichita Thunder, tallying three goals and 14 assists.
Alexander Kuqali (Pittsburgh, PA/Sioux City Musketeers) (2012-16) had 16 assists in 63 games with the Florida Everblades and Quad City Mallards, while
Andrew Miller (Chicago, IL/Chicago Steel) (2012-16) appeared in 33 games between the Alaska Aces and Wheeling Nailers. Former goaltender Jordan Ruby (2011-15) has appeared in one game with the South Carolina Stingrays, while also playing for the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Ruby was named the SPHL Championship MVP as he led Macon to the league title.
Overseas, Steve Pinizzotto (2005-07) recorded 17 points in 26 games for EHC Munchen in Germany. Pinizzotto played parts of three seasons in the NHL and finished his 11th season as a pro in 2016-17. Cameron Burt (2008-12) recorded 27 points in 40 games with Starbulls Rosenheim in Germany's second league. Former defenseman Bobby Raymond (2005-09) finished his eighth professional season with EC Salzburg in Austria this season, having recorded 28 points in 54 games.
Jeff Smith (2009-13), Brad McGowan (2011-15) and
Josh Mitchell (Osoyoos, British Columbia/Alberni Valley Bulldogs) (2012-16) all excelled in the Oberliga in Germany during the 2016-17 season. McGowan and Mitchell both played for the Hamburg Crocodiles, while Smith was with EV Lindau. McGowan led the league in scoring with 123 points on 71 goals and 52 assists, while Mitchell was second with 100 points on 14 goals and a league-high 86 assists. Smith tallied 16goals and 12 assists.
Class of 2017 member
Michael Holland (Rye, NH/Chicago Steel) made his professional debut with Macon and Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL, while
Alex Perron-Fontaine (St. Mathieu de Beloeil, Quebec/Chilliwack Chiefs) signed with Briancon in France for the 2017-18 season.
In addition, former Tigers Tristan Fairbarn (2003-07) and Daniel Spivak (2008-12) competed with the Milton Flyers of the 3HL Tour in Ontario in 2016-17. Derek Hahn (1998-01) and Sam Hill (1999-03) will play for the Canadian National Inline Hockey Team at the 2017 World Masters Championship from June 9-June 18 in Bolzano, Italy.
