Sacred Heart Pioneers men's ice hockey
Sacred Heart Pioneers men's ice hockey | |
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University | Sacred Heart University |
Conference | AHA |
Head coach | C. J. Marottolo 12th season, 136–227–43 (.388) |
Captain(s) | Evan Jasper Mitch Nylen |
Alternate captain(s) | Connor Doherty |
Arena | Webster Bank Arena Bridgeport, Connecticut |
Colors | Red and white[1] |
The Sacred Heart Pioneers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Sacred Heart University. The Pioneers are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.[2] From 1993-2016, the Pioneers home arena was the Milford Ice Pavilion in Milford, Connecticut.
History
Division III
Sacred Heart began sponsoring men's ice hockey as a varsity sport in 1993. The team was placed in the South Division of ECAC North/South/Central and because they were not able to schedule all of their ECAC South opponents twice the Pioneers played half a conference schedule in their inaugural year. With a full conference slate the following year, Sacred Heart greatly improved their record which continued in year three.
For the 1996–97 season Shaun Hannah was brought in as head coach and the Pioneers finished with their first winning record and 2nd in the division, narrowly missing the conference postseason.
In the late 1990s the MAAC was mandated to form an ice hockey conference. Two of the ECAC South programs would have to promote themselves to Division I and soon after they were joined by Sacred Heart. With an eye for their new conference, Hannah began offering scholarships to incoming students, a violation of Division III rules, which caused the Pioneers (along with two other ECAC South teams) to be ruled ineligible for any postseason play. Additionally all of their conference games would not be counted in the standings, through they would still be able to play the matches and count the results towards their overall standings.
MAAC
Despite the influx of scholarship athletes, Sacred Heart finished 7th in the first year of MAAC conference play. The team rebounded in the second year, doubling their win total and finishing with a winning record. Postseason success was a little slower in coming with the Pioneers unable to win a playoff game until year 4 of D-I play. During the 2002–03 season Iona and Fairfield, the two original MAAC programs, both announced that they would end their sponsorship of ice hockey at the end of the season. With only one full-time member still active the MAAC terminated their ice hockey division. The remaining 9 programs banded together and formed Atlantic Hockey which began the following year.
Atlantic Hockey
Sacred Heart played well for the first few years of Atlantic Hockey, reaching the championship game in 2004 and 2010 but after Hannah left in 2009, the team took a tumble down the standings. From 2011 through 2018 the Pioneers never finished higher than 8th in the conference. Bench boss C. J. Marottolo was finally able to push the Pioneers out of the basement in 2019 with a 4th-place finish, ending 1 win shy of .500 on the year.
The school announced in 2020 that it would build a $60 million facility for its men's and women's ice hockey programs. It will be the first on-campus ice arena for Sacred Heart.[3]
Season-by-season results[4]
Records vs. Current Atlantic Hockey Teams
As of the completion of 2018–19 season[5]
School | Team | Away Arena | Overall Record | Win % | Last Result |
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Air Force Academy | Falcons | Cadet Ice Arena | 12–23–7 | .369 | 2-2 T |
American International College | Yellow Jackets | MassMutual Center | 30–21–7 | .578 | 1-4 L |
Army West Point | Black Knights | Tate Rink | 23–26–10 | .475 | 3-3 T |
Bentley University | Falcons | Bentley Arena | 32–26–6 | .547 | 2-3 L |
Canisius College | Golden Griffins | LECOM Harborcenter | 19–25–8 | .442 | 2-3 L |
College of the Holy Cross | Crusaders | Hart Center | 29–36–5 | .450 | 1-4 L |
Mercyhurst University | Lakers | Mercyhurst Ice Center | 24–27–5 | .473 | 0-3 L |
Niagara University | Purple Eagles | Dwyer Arena | 8–13–2 | .391 | 6-3 W |
Robert Morris University | Colonials | Colonials Arena | 3–23–1 | .130 | 3-1 W |
Rochester Institute of Technology | Tigers | Gene Polisseni Center | 13–27–2 | .333 | 1-3 L |
Coaches
As of completion of 2019–20 season
Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993–1994 | Pete Downey | 1 | 4–15–0 | .211 |
1994–1996 | John Glynne | 2 | 21–25–2 | .458 |
1996–2009 | Shaun Hannah | 13 | 191–204–38 | .485 |
2009–Present | C. J. Marottolo | 11 | 136–227–43 | .388 |
Totals | 4 coaches | 27 seasons | 352–471–83 | .434 |
Statistical Leaders[6]
Career points leaders
Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
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Pierre-Luc O'Brien | 2003–2007 | 142 | 67 | 91 | 158 | 141 |
Bear Trapp | 2005–2009 | 139 | 56 | 99 | 155 | 228 |
Martin Paquet | 1999–2003 | 129 | 65 | 77 | 142 | 198 |
Alexandre Parent | 2004–2008 | 143 | 54 | 87 | 141 | 105 |
Dave Jarman | 2006–2010 | 147 | 47 | 87 | 134 | 122 |
Garrett Larson | 2001–2005 | 139 | 55 | 69 | 124 | 233 |
Justin Danforth | 2013–2017 | 147 | 42 | 82 | 124 | 125 |
Eric Delong | 2009–2013 | 143 | 46 | 72 | 118 | 65 |
Matt Gingera | 2008–2012 | 142 | 61 | 48 | 109 | 113 |
Lloyd Marks | 1998–2002 | 120 | 49 | 60 | 109 | 138 |
Career Goaltending Leaders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Minimum 30 games
Player | Years | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
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Josh Benson | 2018–Present | 57 | 3298 | 33 | 17 | 5 | 138 | 5 | .902 | 2.51 |
Eddy Ferhi | 1999–2003 | 88 | 5160 | 36 | 35 | 13 | 126 | 7 | .917 | 2.63 |
Jason Smith | 2003–2007 | 71 | 4291 | 38 | 29 | 4 | 196 | 2 | .912 | 2.74 |
Brett Magnus | 2015–2019 | 109 | 6438 | 39 | 56 | 12 | 314 | 5 | .904 | 2.93 |
Kevin LaPointe | 2001–2005 | 71 | 4162 | 28 | 34 | 7 | 214 | 3 | .902 | 3.08 |
Statistics current through the start of the 2020-21 season.
Current roster
As of September 3, 2019[update].[7]
No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
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1 | ![]() |
Drennen Atherton | Sophomore | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-06-17 | Winter Haven, Florida | Northern (NCDC) | — |
2 | ![]() |
Colin Bernard | Sophomore | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 172 lb (78 kg) | 1997-10-14 | Stamford, Connecticut | Langley (BCHL) | — |
3 | ![]() |
Mike Lee | Senior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-04-25 | Hamden, Connecticut | Vermont (HEA) | — |
4 | ![]() |
Jeppe Urup | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 1999-03-14 | Odense, Denmark | Youngstown (USHL) | — |
6 | ![]() |
Max Luukko | Junior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1995-12-28 | Avalon, New Jersey | Philadelphia (USPHL) | — |
7 | ![]() |
Ruslan Rakhmatov | Senior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1995-04-25 | Moscow, Russia | Chicago (USHL) | — |
8 | ![]() |
Tim Clifton | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1998-02-23 | Farmingdale, New Jersey | Shreveport (NAHL) | — |
9 | ![]() |
Jason Cotton | Senior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1995-02-07 | Parker, Texas | Youngstown (USHL) | — |
10 | ![]() |
Alex Bates | Junior | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1997-06-17 | Parker, Colorado | Wenatchee (BCHL) | — |
11 | ![]() |
Ryan Steele | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | 1997-09-13 | Stratford, Prince Edward Island | West Kelowna (BCHL) | — |
12 | ![]() |
Kevin Lombardi | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 234 lb (106 kg) | 1998-08-12 | Schwenksville, Pennsylvania | Sioux City (USHL) | — |
13 | ![]() |
Jordan Kaplan | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1997-05-19 | Bridgewater, New Jersey | New Jersey (NAHL) | — |
14 | ![]() |
Nick Boyagian | Sophomore | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 1997-07-16 | East Greenbush, New York | New Jersey (NAHL) | — |
15 | ![]() |
Evan Wisocky | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1998-03-20 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Connecticut (HEA) | — |
16 | ![]() |
Marcus Joseph | Junior | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-05-08 | Mountain Top, Pennsylvania | Nanaimo (BCHL) | — |
17 | ![]() |
Daniel Petrick | Freshman | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 199 lb (90 kg) | 1999-04-06 | Wilbraham, Massachusetts | Madison (USHL) | — |
18 | ![]() |
Michael Gilroy | Junior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1996-10-10 | North Bellmore, New York | P. A. L. (USPHL) | — |
19 | ![]() |
Matt Tugnutt | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-05-14 | Peterborough, Ontario | Kemptville (CCHL) | — |
20 | ![]() |
Vito Bavaro | Senior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1997-10-01 | Sarasota, Florida | Brooks (USHS–MA) | — |
21 | ![]() |
Josh Allan | Junior | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1997-05-02 | Orillia, Ontario | Trenton (OJHL) | — |
22 | ![]() |
Derek Contessa | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 206 lb (93 kg) | 1999-03-03 | Freehold, New Jersey | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
23 | ![]() |
Braeden Tuck | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 1998-04-15 | Calgary, Alberta | Trail (BCHL) | — |
24 | ![]() |
Austin Magera | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1998-07-19 | Suwanee, Georgia | Lincoln (USHL) | — |
25 | ![]() |
Austin McIlmurray | Senior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1996-09-08 | Coral Springs, Florida | Coquitlam (BCHL) | — |
26 | ![]() |
Marc Johnstone | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-06-19 | Cranford, New Jersey | Chicago (USHL) | — |
27 | ![]() |
Patrick Dawson | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1999-01-14 | Medway, Massachusetts | Odessa (NAHL) | — |
28 | ![]() |
Marcel Godbout | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-06-04 | St. Clair Shores, Michigan | Sioux City (NAHL) | — |
29 | ![]() |
Todd Goehring | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1997-07-08 | Wayside, New Jersey | Chicago (USHL) | — |
30 | ![]() |
Josh Benson | Sophomore | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1997-11-04 | Stillwater, Minnesota | Fairbanks (NAHL) | — |
33 | ![]() |
Luke Lush | Freshman | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 1998-02-15 | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Drayton Valley (AJHL) | — |
Awards and honors
NCAA
AHCA Second Team All-Americans
- 2009–10: Nick Johnson, F
- 2019–20: Mike Lee, D; Jason Cotton, F
MAAC
Individual Awards
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All-Conference Teams
- 2002–03: Eddy Ferhi, G; Les Hrapchak, D; Martin Paquet, F
- 1999–00: Alexis Jutras-Binet, G; Martin Paquet, F
- 2000–01: Eddy Ferhi, G
- 2001–02: Eddy Ferhi, G; Martin Paquet, F
- 1999–00: Les Hrapchak, D; Martin Paquet, F
Atlantic Hockey
Individual Awards
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Individual Sportsmanship Award
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All-Conference Teams
First Team All-Atlantic Hockey
- 2004–05: Pierre-Luc O'Brien, F
- 2005–06: Jason Smith, G; Pierre-Luc O'Brien, F
- 2006–07: Jason Smith, G; Scott Marchesi, D; Pierre-Luc O'Brien, F
- 2007–08: Alexandre Parent, F
- 2009–10: Nick Johnson, F
- 2016–17: Justin Danforth, F
- 2017–18: Cameron Heath, F; Dylan McLaughlin, F
- 2018–19: Dylan McLaughlin, F
Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey
- 2003–04: Konn Hawkes, D; Garrett Larson, F
- 2004–05: Kalen Wright, F
- 2005–06: Alexandre Parent, F
- 2007–08: Scott Marchesi, F; Bear Trapp, F
- 2015–16: Justin Danforth, F
- 2016–17: Cameron Heath, D; Ryan Schmelzer, F
- 2017–18: Lester Lancaster, D
Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey
- 2009–10: Paul Ferraro, D; Dave Jarman, F
- 2011–12: Matt Gingera, F
- 2012–13: Eric Delong, F
- 2018–19: Austin Magera, F
Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team
- 2003–04: Pierre-Luc O'Brien, F
- 2004–05: Scott Marchesi, D; Alexandre Parent, F
- 2005–06: Bear Trapp, F
- 2009–10: Steven Legato, G; Eric Delong, F
- 2013–14: Mitch Nylen, F; Justin Danforth, F
- 2017–18: Marc Johnstone, F
- 2018–19: Josh Benson, G; Austin Magera, F
Pioneers in the NHL[8]
Sacred Heart has yet to have an alumnus reach the NHL.
References
- ^ SHU Pioneers Official Logo Art. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "Sacred Heart Pioneers Ice Hockey". College Hockey News. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
- ^ "Sacred Heart announces plans for new on-campus rink for men's, women's D-I teams, set to open in 2022". USCHO.com. January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Sacred Heart Pioneers men's Ice Hockey All-Time Results" (PDF). Sacred Heart Pioneers. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- ^ "Sacred Heart Pioneers Men's Ice Hockey All-Time series record" (PDF). Sacred Heart Pioneers. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- ^ "Sacred Heart Pioneers Men's Ice Hockey Record Book" (PDF). Sacred Heart Pioneers. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- ^ "2019–20 Sacred Heart Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Alumni report for Sacred Heart University". Hockey DB. Retrieved October 23, 2019.