Ice Hockey 10/1/2008 4:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

2008-09 Hockey Season Preview

The Canisius hockey program has been building for this year and now that it has finally arrived, excitement is surrounding the team. Experience and depth are two important aspects of any successful hockey team. For the first time since fourth-year head coach Dave Smith took the reins of the program, the Griffs can claim to possess both.

“As a team, we have more depth this year than we have ever had,” Smith said. “I really like our balance and we are now deep at all positions. We have brought in a lot of guys the past two years and now we are eager to see them as upperclassmen. Mix in a talented freshman class and this can be a very exciting year for us.”

The key now is to translate that experience and depth into victories. The Griffs return 21 letterwinners and 80 percent of its scoring from last season. Canisius made progress during the 2007-08 campaign but will look to turn the corner during the 2008-09 season.

“I'd like to see us take the next step as a program, which is to get in the top four, earn home ice in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament and compete for a conference title,” Smith said. “The team really believes that we are going to be very good this year. They are excited and so am I.”

To accomplish their goals, the Griffs must be more consistent on the ice. The talent is there for Canisius to succeed but now the team must display it every day to reach its potential.

“We need to improve in consistency and special teams,” Smith said. “We need to just get a little better all around. There isn't one area we can't afford to improve in. But I believe that we have the right people to accomplish that and the right leadership to steer us in that direction.”

Serving as leaders during the 2008-09 season are captain Peter MacDougall and assistant captains Spencer Churchill, Josh Heidinger and Andrew Loewen.

“I would definitely say that leadership is one of our strengths this year,” Smith said. “Pete is extremely committed. He is physically fit and a very well-rounded leader that the guys really respect and listen to. He also has three assistants in Spencer, Josh and Andrew, who are also very good leaders.”

Forwards
Perhaps the biggest strength of the 2008-09 squad is at the forward position. The unit is the deepest in Smith's four-year tenure and features a number of skilled players capable of putting up numbers.

“We have a lot of speed and skill up front,” Smith said. “We have some dynamic offensive players and then we have some dynamic role players. We have more skilled forwards then ever before and it is really exciting for our program. I think we are in good shape offensively.”

Up front, it all starts with juniors Heidinger and Jason Weeks plus sophomores Cory Conacher and Vincent Scarsella. Heidinger matched a school record as a freshman with 26 assists in a single season and has posted 60 points in his two years. Weeks has led the Griffs in goals in each of his two seasons, posting 12 during his sophomore campaign.

Scarsella earned Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie honors last season after leading the team and all freshmen in the league with 31 points. Conacher missed the first 17 games of the season due to injury but responded with 17 points in the team's final 20 games.

Adding depth at the dynamic offensive position is Churchill, who is one of two seniors on the team, plus sophomores Brandon Cummings and Derek Danowski. Churchill doubled his career totals during his junior season, posting 18 points, five goals and 13 assists. Danowski recorded 16 points during his rookie year, while Cummings added five.

“Offensively, I expect Josh Heidinger, Jason Weeks, Cory Conacher and Vincent Scarsella to put up some numbers,” Smith said. “I think that those four have shown the ability to score and I expect them to continue to do so. We then have a very good offensive supporting cast in Danowski, Cummings and Churchill. All three of these players have the capability to also put up numbers.”

MacDougall plus classmates Ryan Klusendorf and Vincent Amigone and sophomores Pat Kenney and Eric Rex will all serve in the role position. Klusendorf led the group in scoring last season, registering 10 points and earning team Most Improved Player honors.

“In our role guys, we have some terrific speed and character in Pete MacDougall, Ryan Klusendorf, Vincent Amigone, Pat Kenney and Eric Rex. Those guys are fast, tenacious and character guys who will go a long way in determining how successful we are this season.”

The Griffs also welcome three freshmen on the forward line. Adam Brace, Dave Kostuch and Scott Moser will all join the Canisius hockey program after successful junior careers.

“In Adam Brace and Dave Kostuch, you have two extremely talented offensive players that both had tremendous junior careers,” Smith said. “Both have a high amount of skill and will have an opportunity to produce offensively. Scott Moser is an extremely dedicated, hard-working young man. He is an outstanding teammate and will play a physical game.”

Defenders
The Griffs return a number of talented defensemen but the key for Canisius is how to fill the hole left by Kyle Bushee on the blue line.

“You don't replace a guy like Kyle Bushee,” Smith said. “We are going to miss Kyle and all the minutes that he soaked up. But you evolve.”

One way to fill the void of the 2008 graduate is with the help of a talented veteran group. Dave Cianfrini, Chris Forsman and Carl Hudson all return on the blue line with two years of collegiate experience. The three juniors will anchor the unit during the 2008-09 campaign and fill some of the holes left by Bushee.

“Chris Forsman, Carl Hudson and Dave Cianfrini are now a year older and a year wiser,” Smith said. “They are going to be juniors and we have waited a long time to get these three guys there. They are the core back there and will be counted on to play all situations and do a great job for us.”

Also returning for the Griffs on the blue line is senior John Patera plus sophomores Scott Jenks, Phil Rauch and Matt Zuke.

“John Patera is counted on for his physical play, skating and puck moving,” Smith said. “He is one of the strongest players on our team physically. Scott Jenks is an excellent skater and is very strong. He is one player that will also have an opportunity to fill in for Kyle.

“Phil Rauch is a shut-down player who is very physical. Matt Zuke is going into his first full year as a defensemen. We converted him last year and he did well. His learning curve will continue to be steep.”

Adding to the depth of the defensive unit is freshman Wes Love. Love joins the Griffs from the St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL after helping the team to two-straight Robertson Cup titles.

“Wes Love is a terrific skater,” Smith said. “He is a steady, stay-at-home defensemen who is very mobile and moves the puck. The simplicity of his game will really benefit the defense.”

Goaltenders
Another strength of the 2008-09 team is the team's goaltenders. Junior Andrew Loewen and sophomore Taylor Anderson return after solid years and Dan Morrison joins the team as a highly touted rookie.

“Andrew returns as our leader for two years,” Smith said. “He exhibits everything you want in a student-athlete. He is a very gifted player. He is a wonderful student. He is a great leader and looked to as a mentor for our other two goaltenders. He is just really a pleasure to have on our team.”

Loewen posted a goals against average of 2.94 and a save percentage of .911 during his sophomore season. During the year, Loewen set a school record with a 201-minute scoreless streak and earned four Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Week honors, tied for most in the league.

Anderson also posted a strong rookie campaign. In four Atlantic Hockey contests, he recorded a goals against average of 1.88 and a save percentage of .943.

“Taylor gathered some great experience last year,” Smith said. “He had some excellent numbers, especially in league play. I think he is going to push Andrew as much as possible and both will be better goaltenders for it.”

Add in Morrison and the Griffs feature three goalies that are all capable of anchoring the Canisius defense. Morrison joins the Griffs after playing with the Elmira Sugar Kings and earning league MVP honors in the MWJHL.

“Dan Morrison is a goalie that helped his team win a championship,” Smith said. “He handles the puck exceptionally well and is a very good goaltender.”

Schedule
The Griffs will once again challenge themselves in non-conference play in order to help prepare for Atlantic Hockey play. Canisius opens the season at CCHA foe Ferris State on Oct. 10 for a two-game set. The non-conference schedule is once again highlighted by Niagara in a Battle of the Bridge grudge match on Nov. 11. The Griffs will also welcome Merrimack of Hockey East to Buffalo on Oct. 26 and will play at Clarkson of the ECAC for two games.

“We will get a chance to test ourselves against each of the four leagues around us,” Smith said. “We are looking to go in to those games and gain some valuable experience, prepare ourselves for our league and challenge ourselves to play at a high level every night.

“The general consensus is that everybody has November 11 circled for the Niagara game. It will be a wild and crazy environment up there. It is something to look forward to and something that will be a lot of fun.”

The Griffs open Atlantic Hockey play at Holy Cross on Oct. 17. Canisius will play AIC, Army, Bentley, Connecticut and Mercyhurst four times during the season. The Griffs will also host RIT and Sacred Heart for two games, while traveling to face Air Force and the Crusaders for a two-game series.

The Atlantic Hockey Championship has revamped its format for the 2009 tournament. The four lowest-seeded teams will face off in a single-elimination game on March 7. The two winners will then advance with the top six seeds to play in a best two-of-three quarterfinal series. The higher-seeded teams will host the series from March 13 to March 15.

The four remaining teams will then meet in Rochester, N.Y. at the Blue Cross Arena for the final four. The semifinals will be played on March 20 with the championship set for March 21.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#39 Kyle Bushee: D; 6' 0"; Senior

#37 Brandon Cummings: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

#29 Vincent Amigone: F; 6' 1"; Junior

#35 Taylor Anderson: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#28 Adam Brace: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

#10 Spencer Churchill: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#5 Dave Cianfrini: D; 6' 0"; Junior

#19 Cory Conacher: F; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#9 Derek Danowski: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#4 Chris Forsman: D; 5' 10"; Junior

#12 Josh Heidinger: F; 5' 9"; Junior

#2 Carl Hudson: D; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#39 Kyle Bushee
: 6' 0"; Senior
: D

#37 Brandon Cummings
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F

#29 Vincent Amigone
: 6' 1"; Junior
: F

#35 Taylor Anderson
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#28 Adam Brace
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F

#10 Spencer Churchill
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#5 Dave Cianfrini
: 6' 0"; Junior
: D

#19 Cory Conacher
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#9 Derek Danowski
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

#4 Chris Forsman
: 5' 10"; Junior
: D

#12 Josh Heidinger
: 5' 9"; Junior
: F

#2 Carl Hudson
: 6' 1"; Junior
: D