USCHO looks at the season ahead in the revamped UCHC

USCHO's preview of the UCHC season:

https://www.uscho.com/2024/10/30/uchc-mens-hockey-season-preview-pioneers-face-off-with-new-challengers-in-re-vamped-uchc/

Athletic Department's season preview

 

The Brockport hockey team will return to the ice for a pair of exhibition games at home this weekend to kickstart the new campaign. The Golden Eagles will host the EHL All-Stars on Friday, October 25th at 7pm before taking on Morrisville on Saturday, October 26th at 6pm.

2023-24 Recap: The men finished the 2023-24 season with an 8-14-4 record, posting a 5-9-2 record in SUNYAC play. The Golden Eagles secured a spot in the SUNYAC Tournament, eventually falling to the #4 seed Cortland Red Dragons on the road, 5-1, in the opening round. Connor Galloway led the offense with seven goals (T-1), 12 assists, and 19 points. Chase Maxwell was close behind with seven goals and 16 points. Jordan Rosenbaum led the defensive effort with a team-high 30 blocked shots. Dylan Wiemer served as the primary goaltender, making 546 saves on the season with a 3.29 goals allowed average.

Seven Golden Eagles were named AHCA Scholar All-Americans, including Dominic Chirico, Josh Higgins, Connor Roach, Trevor Joule, Andrew Harley, Michael Meredith, and Schuyler Flansburg.

Specialty Games: Brockport will host the Golden Flyers of Nazareth on Friday, December 6th at 7 p.m. for the annual Teddy Bear Toss before hosting Chatham for Alumni Night on Saturday, January 18th at 4 p.m. The Willie Bee Foundation Jersey Night game is the next special event on the schedule, coming against Utica on Friday, January 31st at 7 p.m. A week removed from the 31st, Brockport will host Geneseo in the Face Off Against Cancer Game on February 7th at 7 p.m. The Golden Eagles will then host Senior Night against Nazareth on Saturday, February 15th at 4 p.m.

Key Returners: The Green and Gold return 19 members of the 2023-24 squad, including several top scorers. Chase Maxwell returns as Brockport's second top scorer from 2023-24, posting seven goals and nine assists for 16 points. The Golden Eagles return six of its top nine scorers, including Josh Grund (6G, 9A), Spencer Flansburg (4G, 9A), Manny Sanchez (4G, 8A), Schuyler Flansburg (4G, 4A), and Michael Meredith (4G, 4A). Holding down the defensive line, Brockport returns top defensemen Jordan Rosenbaum, Ryan Brow, Jacob Rodrigue, and Dominic Chirico as well as goalies David Filak and Trevor Joule. The 2024-25 squad will boast a strong mix of returning production and fresh faces.

Captains: Brockport will be represented by captains Mitchell Haight and Michael Meredith, alongside assistant captains Chase Maxwell and Dominic Chirico. Haight will serve as a captain in his graduate season, coming to Brockport following four years at Elmira.

Fresh Faces: The Golden Eagles welcome 11 new members to the program, including freshmen Livio Azevedo, Connor McAleer, Sacha Trudel, Joseph Nikac, Kaleb Miller, Andrew Haugh, Dax Easter, Micheal Holland, and Aidan Taylor. Junior transfer goalie Cole Hudson joins Brockport following stints at D1 Vermont and D2 American International, with defenseman Mitchell Haight transferring in following four years at Elmira.

Up Next: Following a pair of exhibition games, the Golden Eagles will open the season in Buffalo for the Buffalo State Bengals Classic, beginning on Friday, November 1st.

UCHC Preseason Coaches' Poll

 

The United Collegiate Hockey Conference is pleased to announce its 2024-25 Men's Preseason Coaches' Poll. The 2024-25 UCHC Preseason Poll is voted on by all six league coaches with three-time defending champion Utica University selected as the top team in the conference at the start of the year for the seventh consecutive season.

Utica garnered five of the six first place votes and 25 total points. Utica has won all seven regular season championships since the conference began play in 2017-18. The Pioneers are attempting to win their sixth UCHC title, having also won in 2017-18, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23 and last season. The Pioneers rolled to an impressive 24-3-3 record in 2023-24, including a 19-0-1 mark in UCHC play. Utica, who begins the season ranked No. 4 nationally, advanced to the 2024 NCAA Division III Frozen Four.

UCHC newcomer SUNY Geneseo earned the other first place vote and is selected to finish second in the 2024-25 preseason poll. The Knights begin the season ranked seventh nationally after finishing the 2023-24 season with a 21-6-0 record, while earning the SUNYAC Regular Season Championship and advancing to the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Nazareth University, who advanced to the 2023 UCHC Championship game and earned a UCHC postseason berth last season, is selected to finish third overall with 14 points.

Manhattanville University and UCHC newcomer SUNY Brockport both earned 11 points in the preseason poll, tied for fourth. Manhattanville finished fifth in the UCHC standings last season, advancing to the opening round of the league tournament. Brockport won eight games advanced to the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament last season.

Chatham University garnered eight points overall and is predicted to finish sixth. Last season, the Cougars placed sixth in the UCHC standings and advanced to the first round of the UCHC Tournament.

2024-25 UCHC Men's Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Utica – 25 Points (5 First Place Votes)

2. SUNY Geneseo – 21 Points (1 First Place Vote)

3. Nazareth - 14 Points

T4. SUNY Brockport – 11 Points

T4. Manhattanville - 11 Points

6. Chatham - 8 Points

Next week, the UCHC will unveil its 2024-25 Players to Watch. Exhibition action continues this weekend before the regular season formally begins on Friday, Nov. 1. Conference play starts a week later.

Your '24-'25 captains

Here are your '24-'25 Golden Eagle Captains

Captain: Michael Meredith
Captain: Mitchell Haight
Assistant Captain: Chase Maxwell
Assistant Captain: Dominic Chirico

Todd Brudz has passed away

Brockport hockey and the entire community have lost a dear friend.

Tod Brudz, the beloved Zamboni driver who always took great care of our ice with a smile, has passed away.

Our hearts go out to his family.

Here is Tod's obituary:

Thaddeus F. “Tod” Brudz of Cheektowaga, NY passed away on October 6th , 2024.

Predeceased by his father, Thaddeus P. “Ted” Brudz; sister, Jennifer Brudz; and grandson, John Paul Brudz. Survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Phyllis (née Fortin); mother, Edwina Brudz; daughter, Victoria Brudz; son, Trevor (Kaleigh) Brudz; sisters, Anne (Gerald) Bennett, and Karen (Joseph) Emmanuele; brother, Thomas (Caren) Brudz; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and other family members.

Tod was a devout Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Mets fan. His many joys included his Polish heritage, cooking, faith, and helping others. He was also a favorite Zamboni driver of many in the Brockport community for many years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday October 12th at 11am at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brockport, NY.