By Warren Kozireski
RIT won the conference regular season title in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Then they were devastated losing their top four scorers in the portal before last season. The results were predictable as they finished third-from-last before being knocked out by eight-seed AIC in the first round of the playoffs.
Longtime head coach Wayne Wilson and associate head coach Brian Hills retired and now former Tiger captain Matt Thomas tries to put the program back as the eighth hockey head coach in school history.
He brings 26 years of experience at both the NCAA Division I and professional ranks, including the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the Providence Bruins – the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL Boston Bruins.
“I really look forward to returning to my alma mater…I do miss The Ritter (Arena), but an incredible opportunity for me to get closer to Toronto where I am from and really excited to work with our team,” Thomas said during the AHA Media Day call.
“We do return 16 players which is great and add 11 newcomers (four transfers). We have five players this year with OHL (Ontario Hockey League) experience and I think that will continue.”
Junior Christian Catalano is the top point-getter returning after his 23-point campaign with senior Simon Isabelle the only other returner in double-digits last season, so there is plenty of openings on the top two lines.
Transfers include forward Austin Brimmer, who scored 21 points in 32 games with Long Island University and forward Boris Skalos from Mercyhurst.
The Tigers enter the season deepest on defense with sophomore Tristan Allan and senior Xavier Lapointe combining for 30 points one year ago. Senior Gustav Blom and juniors Kevin Scott and Crossley Stewart add experience on the blueline.
Sophomore Jakub Krbecek started 18 games last season in net and senior Trent Burnham started eight, but freshman Ottawa 67’s (OHL) recruit Collin MacKenzie could push for playing time after being the number one last season.
The Tigers welcome Clarkson for the annual Brick City Homecoming game at Rochester Blue Cross Arena Oct. 18 and will also participate with Union, Miamai and Sacred Heart in the Friendship Four in Belfast, Ireland Thanksgiving weekend.
