By Amy Harvey, Niagara Athletic Communications Student Assistant

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - With the fall semester underway, the Niagara men’s hockey team is anticipating the start of their second season of competitive hockey in the Atlantic Hockey Association.

“The team has had a long summer of training and we are anxious to start our season,” stated junior forward Giancarlo Iuorio. “We are all working hard to prepare for the upcoming games.”

While the Purple Eagles are anxiously preparing for the approaching season, head coach Dave Burkholder believes the team needs to avoid certain issues that held them back last year.

“We need to stay healthy,” said Burkholder, who begins his 11^th season as head coach. “We were devastated in the second semester last year with injuries and I think that affected how we played down the stretch. If we can get through our non-conference schedule healthy to start the year, I think it should allow us to have a great start in Atlantic Hockey.”

Though the team did lose two of last season’s leading scorers in forwards Paul Zanette and Bryan Haczyk, the Purple Eagles have a very positive outlook toward this season. The Purple Eagles believe they have what it takes to win the AHA conference title.

“Unfortunately, we lost some key seniors, but with the returning talent we have and some key new recruits, we definitely have what it takes to win,” remarked junior defenseman Dan Weiss. “We have a lot more skill and speed, and I’m excited to see us excel this year.”

To compensate for the key players lost last year, the Purple Eagles welcome nine new recruits to Monteagle Ridge. The addition of these new faces will create a new dimension of
speed, experience and character on the team.

One of the incoming recruits is forward Isaac Kohls, who is one of three players from the recruiting class who played junior hockey with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League. Kohls notched 18 goals, 21 assists and 39 points in 56 games with the Lumberjacks. The Minnesota native has a very efficient shot and will play a key role on Niagara’s special teams immediately.

Another player to be looking for in the upcoming season is defenseman Nick Gawron, who played for the New England Junior Huskies of the Eastern Junior Hockey League last year. Gawron recorded 11 assists and 12 points in 39 games for the Huskies. Hailing from Lemont, Illinois, Gawron is extremely mobile and will sacrifice for his teammates.  

Burkholder expects tremendous things from the newcomers in the upcoming season.

“We have a really good mix,” Burkholder said. “A number of the freshmen are from the United States Hockey League, which is a league that usually makes the jump from junior hockey to Division I college hockey seamless. We’re hoping that transition is the same across the board for our freshman class this year. We just have so much depth at every position, and I’m really excited about the group that is here.”

In addition to the new talent, Burkholder also looks to the offensive line of sophomores Patrick Divjak, Ryan Rashid and Scott Arnold to be a huge threat to opposing teams. Last season, this line recorded 32 goals, 33 assists and 65 points in 35 games.

“They were an all freshman line last year and really produced for us,” Burkholder said. “Even though they are just sophomores, their experience should make them a huge threat to our competition.”

The Purple Eagles prelude the 2011-12 season with an exhibition game vs. Queens University on Oct. 1 at Dwyer Arena, before opening the season on the road against No. 6 Michigan on Oct. 4. The Purple Eagles will host the Union Dutchmen on October 21 at 7:05pm in their home opener.

The presence of the student body at the home games is critical to creating a winning atmosphere. A raucous crowd full of loud and proud Purple Eagle fans creates a strong home ice advantage for the Purple Eagles.  

“The presence of fans is crucial to creating a good atmosphere at our games,” Iuorio said. “That atmosphere then motivates and energizes us as a team.”

Having the student body and the N-Zone present at the games is also very important to Burkholder.

“It’s everything,” Burkholder said. “When we get the N-Zone and the student body out, it’s hard on our opponents. If you are playing in front of a packed house with school spirit, it makes your team at home. It’s a huge home ice advantage.”

With a mix of a strong core and exciting new talent, the Purple Eagles have high expectations for the 2011-12 season.

 “The sky is the limit,” stated Weiss.

To ensure you place at Dwyer Arena for all the excitement this season, make sure to get to Dwyer Arena early with your student ID before games or join the N-Zone.

To purchase tickets, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-8499 or tickets@purpleeagles.com.