Preseason Video Interviews

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Following an eight-win campaign in 2016-17, the Elmira College men's ice hockey team is eager to begin the upcoming season with hopes of returning to the postseason and moving back into the national spotlight. Elmira will have the chance to make a statement right out of the gate, as the Soaring Eagles open the 2017-18 season with back-to-back games against nationally-ranked opponents. The Purple and Gold open the 45th year of EC men's ice hockey on their home ice at the Murray Athletic Center on Friday, October 27, with a 7:00 p.m. bout against the No. 10-ranked Statesmen of Hobart College. Elmira will then travel to face No. 7-ranked Oswego State the following night in another 7:00 p.m. start.
 
"Opening up against two ranked teams in the top 10, I wouldn't want it any other way," said Head Coach Aaron Saul '98, who begins his ninth season at the helm of the program. "It will be a good test for us to see what we got right off the bat. I know how good our group is, I know what we have in our locker room and I really think we are going to shock a lot of people this year."
 
Not only does Elmira's schedule open up nicely with a pair of quality opponents, EC also has aspirations to make a deep run in the newly formed United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC).
 
"We are excited to play in our new conference," said Saul. "We still have our big rivals in Utica, Manhattanville and Neumann. As a whole we were pretty disappointed with our season last year, but I think there were a lot of tough lessons learned for us and I think we are going to be contending for the UCHC Tournament and Championship."
 
Goaltender
The Soaring Eagles lacked depth at this position down the stretch last season, but with the infusion of three rookie goalies and the return of Charl Pretorius '19, EC looks to be in a much better spot than a year ago. With five collegiate contests and 24 international games under his belt, Pretorius is the most experienced goalie of the bunch. Following an injury to former netminder Sal Magliocco '17, Pretorius filled in and started the final four games of the 2016-17 regular season for the Soaring Eagles. During that time he amassed 131 saves, as well as a .873 save percentage, and ended the year with back-to-back 40-plus save performances against NCAA Division III Tournament qualifier Hobart.
 
Although the other three goalies are freshmen, all three will more than likely be vying for starter's minutes. Gennaro Anzevino '21, who hails from South Hackensack, New Jersey, last played for the Dells Ducks of the USPHL Elite League. He guided the Ducks to the playoffs, after logging a .941 save percentage and a 1.57 goals-against average in 22 regular season games. Cantonsville, Maryland, native Jake Sabourin '21, who stands at 6-feet-4-inches without skates on, will also be in the mix after competing in 24 games and producing a .895 save percentage for the Aurora Tigers of the OJHL. Rounding out the trio of first-year netminders is Red Hook, New York, native Ben Fleischman '21 is coming off of a successful junior career by helping CP Dynamo 18U reach the postseason. Fleischman had a solid season in 2016-17 for the Dynamo, as he finished the year with an exceptional .970 save percentage and a 0.73 goals-against average.
 
"Goaltender is obviously the most important position on our team," stated Saul. "The last two seasons we finished with one goaltender due to injury and we just don't want to have that situation again, so we beefed up the competition, brought in three freshmen along with our returning junior and it's been very competitive."
 
Defensemen
A quick glance over the roster will show a relatively inexperienced d-corps, as the Soaring Eagles returns just four blueliners from a season ago in Blake O'Neill '19, Harry Kramer '20, Calvin Hughson '20 and Spencer Carter '20. The quartet of defenders combined for 30 points on six goals and 24 assists.
 
O'Neill, who will don the captain's 'C' this season, played in 23 games and logged nine points on three goals and six assists. Two of his three goals were registered in wins, while Elmira went 4-3-1 in games in which the Fort Myers, Florida, native recorded at least one point. Kramer, a 2016-17 ECAC West All-Rookie Team honoree, had a solid debut season with the Purple and Gold, as he led all defensemen with 14 points on two goals and 12 helpers. Standing at 6-feet-2-inches, Kramer looks visibly stronger from a season ago and possesses the frame to be an intimidating figure on EC's blue line.
 
Hughson showcased his skill last year as one of Elmira's best two-way defensemen and will be counted on to elevate his level of play in the upcoming year. The product of Sarina, Ontario, made 21 appearances for the Soaring Eagles and produced five points on one goal and four assists. Fellow classmate, Carter, will more than likely see an enhanced role with the Purple and Gold this year, after lacing up for 12 games during his debut season. He finished last year with two points, both on assists, but Carter is better known for his physicality on the ice, which will be key on EC's relatively young d-corps.
 
In addition to the four returners, Elmira added a quartet of freshmen blueliners. Adding some much needed size and strength to the EC lineup is 6-foot-5-inch Dan Smith '21 and 6-foot-3-inch Jamie Dorsey '21. Smith played in 42 games last season for the Connecticut Nighthawks of the EHL and racked up six points on two goals and four assists. Dorsey suited up 32 times for the Springfield Jr. Pics of the USPHL Premier League last season and logged three points on one goal and two assists. He also ended the year with 103 penalty minutes, suggesting Dorsey will add a physical presence for the Soaring Eagles in 2017-18.
 
The other two freshmen defenders are Adam Eby '21 and dual-sport athlete Ryan Blais '21, who doubles as a member of the men's golf team during the offseason. Eby played for a trio of USPHL Premier League teams last season and finished with four assists. Blais also competed in the USPHL Premier League for the South Shore Kings, for whom he appeared in 43 games and produced 25 points (4g-21a).
 
Forwards
Elmira relied heavily on its freshman class to produce goals last season, and with a year of collegiate experience under their belt, those expectations will be even greater in 2017-18. Those expectations come with good reason, as Elmira's top-three point-getters, all of whom are sophomores, are back for the Soaring Eagles.
 
"Last year we had some really tough losses, some one-goal losses," said Saul. "The majority of our scoring is back and those guys are a year older and know what to expect coming into the season."
 
Headlining the group is Merrimack, New Hampshire, native Connor Powell '20, who paced the Purple and Gold with 27 points on 13 goals and 14 assists. Powell's 27-point total was the highest by an Elmira freshman in 16 years and he became just the second rookie in program history to lead the team in points since Rich Bopray '82 in 1978-79. Powell's keen eye for the back of the net was undeniable last year and garnered a great deal of respect from around the league, as he was named to the UCHC's Preseason Watch List.
 
Joining Powell on the conference's watch list is Fort Myers, Florida, native Matthew Cuce '20. The second-year forward is coming off of a stellar freshman season that saw him finish the year with the team lead in assists (19), as part of a 25-point season that garnered ECAC West All-Rookie Team honors. Look for his speed, quick hands and playmaking ability to create plenty of scoring chances for himself and teammates.
 
Nick Ford '20 finished third on the team in points, after scoring 10 goals and assisting on 10 others for 20 points. Ford will own the title of EC's top returning power-play goal scorer, after finding the back of the net five times with the extra skater in 2016-17. Look for him to once again be a focal point when EC goes on the power play this year.
 
Mitch Atkins '19, Spencer MacLean '20 and Andrew Pucci '20 combined for 31 points on 14 goals and 17 assists a season ago. Atkins finished with 14 points (7g-7a) last year and produced at least one point 11 times in a 15-game stretch from November 22 to February 10. In order for EC to improve its win total from a season ago, Atkins will need to maintain his steady point production.
 
MacLean (6g-4a-10p) came on strong down the stretch for Elmira during his rookie season with three points in the team's final four contests. Most of MacLean's damage can be traced back to his effort on the power play, as four of his six goals were registered with the extra skater. Pucci (1g-6a-7p), on the other hand, will be counted on for his quick hands and playmaking ability, after producing six assists during his freshman campaign.
 
Also returning at forward are Chris Moses '19, Brent Lafayette '19, Anthony Parrucci '20, Kevin DiMagno '20 and Patrick Schmelzinger '20. Although the group combined for just nine points last season (4g-5a), their contributions to the team goes beyond the stat sheet. Moses, Lafayette and Parrucci will all serve as captains for the upcoming year, and for good reason, as the trio's work ethic and no-nonsense style of play is second to none. Look for all three, as well as Schmelzinger and DiMagno, to push the pace of the play and be nonstop workhorses for the Soaring Eagles from the season-opening puck drop.
 
Newcomers at the forward position include Anthony Mangano '21, Joe Smith '21, Justin Robertson '21 and Devin Pierce '21.
 
If Mangano's junior career is anything close to what his collegiate career will be like, expect him to provide a toughness that EC has lacked over the years, that after racking up 331 penalty minutes with the Northeast Generals a season ago. Joining Mangano from the Generals is Pierce, who amassed seven points on three goals and four assists in 20 games.
 
Smith will look to continue the scoring success he found with the Hawkesbury Hawks over the last two seasons, where he accumulated 22 goals, 33 assists and 55 points. Robertson will also be hoping to add some firepower to the Elmira lineup, after logging 14 points on six goals and eight assists last season for Seacoast College Prep.  
 
Season Opener
The Elmira men will have a chance to make their mark on the national stage right from the get-go, as the Purple and Gold host the No. 10-ranked Statesmen of Hobart College on Friday, October 27. The puck is set to drop at EC's Murray Athletic Center Ice Arena at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the season-opener are as follows: $5 adult, $3 student and EC students with valid student ID will be admitted for free.
 
"Our energy has been great," added Saul. "The team's attitude is fantastic and I think everyone's on the same page. We didn't have that a year ago, so we are excited to get started and I can't wait to start on Friday."
 
The season-opening contest will also serve as Elmira's Halloween Night, where EC is encouraging fans to dress up in Halloween costumes. Those who attend the game in costume will be entered into a drawing to win several prizes, courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings.