The Canisius College hockey team announced the addition of five players to the Golden Griffin program for the 2013-14 campaign, announced by head coach Dave Smith on Monday.

Forwards Shane Conacher (Burlington, Ontario), Jack Hidi (Toronto, Ontario)and Josh Kielich (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and defenders Geoff Fortman (Crystal Lake, Ill.) and Brandon Russo (Westport, N.Y.) join 23 returning student-athletes from the Griffs’ Atlantic Hockey Championship squad to form the 2013-14 team.

“The five newcomers are all very talented and each bring different qualities to our team,” Smith said. “We lost a lot from our graduating seniors but teams are aware of our capabilities and the talent we have returning. Adding to a roster that already features great chemistry and work ethic, I’m excited to see their skills and competiveness and how they make our team better through their individual efforts.”

Conacher led the St. Michael’s Buzzers to the OJHL Championship in 2013, earning the Brett Ladds Trophy as the league’s playoff MVP. The Burlington, Ontario native totaled 35 points (14g, 21a) during the Buzzers’ 23-game postseason run and accumulated 57 points (28g, 29a) in 51 contests during the regular season. Conacher, who is the brother of the Griffs’ all-time leading scorer and current member of the Ottawa Senators Cory Conacher, also played for Team Canada East at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, netting three goals in five games.

Hidi served as team captain at Upper Canada College, leading the high school in scoring during his senior campaign with 42 points, 24 goals and 18 assists in 36 games. Selected to the CISAA All-Star Team in both of his seasons with the Blues, Hidi totaled 83 points, 45 goals and 38 assists during his two-year tenure.

A native of Orchard Park, N.Y., Kielich played two seasons for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the OJHL. He recorded 41 points, 11 goals and 30 assists during the 2012-13 campaign and totaled 81 points, 31 goals and 50 assists in his two-year tenure. Kielich was also a two-time selection to the Central Canada Cup All-Star Game.

Fortman helped lead the Amarillo Bulls to the NAHL Championship last season. He was named the team’s Best Defensive Defenseman during the campaign, recording 28 points, seven goals, 21 assists and a plus/minus rating of +39. The defender finished the season ranked fifth in the league with his +39 rating and was named to the 2012 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.

A transfer from the Penn State club team, Russo earned second-team ACHA All-America accolades and first-team All-Southeast Region honors during the 2012-13 campaign. The defenseman registered 30 points in 27 games last season and 44 points during his two-year stay. Before arriving at Penn State, Russo played one year in the USHL with the Indiana Ice and Youngstown Phantoms, recording 24 points, two goals and 22 assists.

The Griffs are coming off their most successful season in school history. Canisius won the program’s first Atlantic Hockey Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, while also finishing the season ranked 19th in the final USCHO.com national poll, the highest placement in the program’s history.

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Dave Burkholder, head coach of the Niagara University men’s hockey team, announced the 10-member incoming recruiting class.

Tyler Akeson, Patrick Conte, Brock Edwards, Adrian Ignagni, Vincent Muto, Phillip Nasca, Kevin Patterson, Stephen Pietrobon, TJ Sarcona and Jackson Teichroeb make up Niagara’s freshman class for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

“We are really excited about the class of 2017,” Burkholder said.  “There is no science to building a team just a great deal of hard work and hours on the road identifying possible candidates for our program. Tim, our recruiting coordinator, and Pat have put together a group of individuals that will all help in varying ways.  We are going to build off of last season’s successes with the help of every one of these freshmen.”

Tyler Akeson ¦ Defense ¦ 5-10 ¦ 180 lbs. ¦ Ottawa, Canada ¦ Smiths Falls Bears Jr. A (CCHL)
Tyler Akeson comes to Monteagle Ridge after playing for the Smiths Falls Bears Jr. A team of the Central Canadian Hockey League.  While there the defender scored 19 goals and added 100 assists in 180 games.  He was honored as the top defenseman while with the Bears during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, and earned the Fan Favorite Award in 2011-12.  The Second Team All-Star selection was also a two time CCHL Jr. A All-Star, and CCHL Jr. A Canada Cup Challenge attendee.

“Tyler is a mobile, intelligent defenseman who brings tremendous power play instincts and skill to our team,” assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Tim Madsen said.  “We look to him to contribute in that area immediately.”

Patrick Conte ¦ Center ¦ 5-11 ¦ 190 lbs. ¦ Niagara Falls, N.Y. ¦ Youngstown (USHL)
Patrick Conte played for the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for 56 games where he scored six goes and added five assists for 11 points.  Before suiting up for the Phantoms, Conte played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres for three seasons.  In 146 games, the Niagara Falls, N.Y. native tallied 64 goals and 67 assists for 131 points.

“Pat is a rugged power forward who is extremely hard to play against,” Madsen said.  “He excels in finishing his hits, blocking shots and being a high character player.”

Brock Edwards ¦ Center ¦ 6-2 ¦ 202 lbs. ¦ Kingston, Ont. ¦ Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
Brock Edwards spent the previous three seasons with the Central Canada Hockey League’s (CCHL) Carleton Place, playing in 197 games for the Canadians.  The Kingston, Ont. native scored 61 goals and 107 assists for 168 points, contributing 18 power play tallies, and was tabbed most improved player during the 2011 season

“Brock is a true power forward who is hard to play against,” Madsen said.  “He adds size to our program and comes from a winning organization in the CCHL.”

Adrian Ignagni ¦ Goaltender ¦ 6-0 ¦ 165 lbs. ¦ Mississauga, Ont. ¦ St. Michael’s Buzzers Jr. A (OJHL)
Adrian Ignagni comes to Monteagle Ridge after three years with the St. Michael’s Buzzers Jr. A of the OJHL.  Named co-captain for the 2012-13 season, helping the Buzzers capture the OJHL Championship with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.  Ignagni finished regular season third among all netminders with .927 save percentage, while posting a 2.54 goals-against average and four shutouts, and became only goalie in OJHL to have back-to-back 30+ regular season wins.

The two-time South-East Conference Gongshow Gear Player of the Month honoree backstopped the Buzzers to their first Division title since 2007-08, leading all netminders with 42 appearances and 2,495:41 minutes played.  His stellar play earned him a spot on the OJHL Second Team All-Star, the Fan Favorite Award and was named runner-up for the OJHL’s Most Valuable Player Award.  The Mississauga, Ont. native was honored as the starter for Team Canada East at the 2011 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge and helped the squad capture the silver medal, and named to the OJHL South Division All-Star Team that competed at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge.

“Adrian comes to Niagara from the most storied, successful junior program in Ontario where he was instrumental in leading his team on a deep national playoff run last season,” Madsen said.  “Adrian brings athleticism, and competiveness to our net.”

Vincent Muto ¦ Defense ¦ 6-1 ¦ 200 lbs. ¦ Niagara Falls, N.Y. ¦ Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Defender Vincent Muto played a pair of games with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, before being acquired by the Sioux Falls Stampede for the 2012-13 season.  In 54 games with Sioux Falls, the Niagara Falls, N.Y. native collected 16 points on four goals and 12 assists while leading the team with a plus-34 rating.

While with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) during the 2011-12 campaign, Muto was named Rookie of the Year after registering 19 points off six goals and 13 assists in 57 games.

“Vinny is a big, strong and reliable defenseman who comes from the best junior hockey league in North America,” Madsen said.  “A local Niagara Falls, N.Y. product – we expect Vinny to play in all situations.”

Philip Nasca ¦ Forward ¦ 5-10 ¦ 175 lbs. ¦ Cleveland, Ohio ¦ Napean Raiders (CCHL)
Philip Nasca comes to Niagara after spending the 2012-13 season with the Napean Raiders of the CCHL.  The Cleveland, Ohio native netted 14 goals and contributed 21 assists for 35 points, while adding a pair of power play goals and two game-winning scores.

“Phil’s greatest asset is his speed.  He fits our style of play as he makes us faster in all facets of the game,” Madsen said.  “Phil comes to Niagara from a top organization in the CCHL where he has won two championships.”

Kevin Patterson ¦ Defense ¦ 6-0 ¦ 188 lbs. ¦ Colorado Springs, Colo. ¦ Topeka Roadrunners (NAHL)
Kevin Patterson suited up for the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for the previous two seasons, totaling eight goals and 23 assists in 101 games for the Roadrunners.  The defenseman served as an assistant during the 2012-13 season.  Before his stint in the NAHL, Patterson was a member of the Colorado Rampage where he captained the team from 2009 through 2011.

“Kevin is a solid, two-way defenseman who brings experience and character to our program,” Madsen said.  “He comes to Niagara from a top organization in the NAHL that has a history of winning hockey games.  We fully expect Kevin to bring that same winning attitude to Niagara.”

Stephen Pietrobon ¦ Forward ¦ 6-3 ¦ 202 lbs. ¦ Toronto, Ont. ¦ St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)
Stephen Pietrobon comes to Monteagle Ridge after playing for St. Michael’s Buzzers of the OJHL last season, leading the club to its first league title since 2006.  Pietrobon recorded 30 points (11-19-30) during the regular season, earning a spot on the OJHL South Division All-Star Team, and contributed another 12 points (6-6-12) during the postseason which included the overtime-winner during the conference championship.  The Toronto native was placed on the OJHL South Division conference team in 2013, while being named the most improved player for the Buzzers.

“Stephen is a highly intelligent forward who makes us bigger and faster,” Madsen said.  “His high hockey IQ will allow him to be one of the best penalty killers in college hockey.”

Thomas Sarcona ¦ Center ¦ 5-10 ¦ 185 lbs. ¦ West Islip, N.Y. ¦ Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)
Thomas Sarcona played for the Amarillo Bulls of the NAHL for three seasons, totaling 61 goals and 95 assists in 199 games.  The West Islip, N.Y. native was second on the team in points (57) during the 2012-13 season, and was tops on the team in assists (37), helping the team to a Robertson Cup National Championship.  The 2010 New York Islanders Rookie Camp invitee was awarded Best Defensive Forward for the Bulls three consecutive years, while earning Best Forward during 2013.

“TJ is an honest, two-way forward who will immediately contribute out our penalty-kill unit,” Madsen said.  “He does all the little things that will help our hockey team, such as take important face offs, and blocking shots.  TJ was also a captain, and top point producer on a national championship team in the NAHL, and we expect the same leadership, and winning mentality to come with him to Niagara.”

Jackson Teichroeb ¦ Goaltender ¦ 6-1 ¦ 193 lbs. ¦ London, Ont. ¦ Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Jackson Teichroeb accumulated 49 victories over his USHL career, starting his career during the 2010-11 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints before joining the Lincoln Stars.  Last season, Teichroeb posted a 15-10-2 record to go along with a 2.79 GAA and .902 save percentage, and was tied for third among USHL goaltenders with three shutouts last season.  During the 2011-12 campaign, the London, Ont. native won 18 games for the Stars, three of which were by shutout.

In his rookie season with Dubuque he posted a 14-6-5 record, helping the Fighting Saints to the Clark Cup title.

“Jackson comes to our program junior tested and should have a seamless transition to Division I,” Madsen said.  “He is big, mobile and experienced.”

Canisius College head coach Dave Smith announced on Friday that senior Ryan Bohrer (West St. Paul, Minn.) is set to serve as captain of the Golden Griffin hockey program for the 2013-14 campaign.

“Ryan is the players and coaches’ unanimous choice as captain,” Smith said. “He is an all-around leader – athletically, academically and socially. Those characteristics alone don’t separate him but his work ethic does. Canisius College hockey has had a long list of great leaders and Ryan joins this special group of players. He is very deserving of this honor and we know that he’ll do a great job as we attempt to defend our conference title.”

A native of West St. Paul, Minn., Bohrer has appeared in 97 career games with the Griffs. He has posted 27 points, 11 goals and 16 assists during his career, totaling a personal-best 12 points during the 2010-11 campaign.

Bohrer was also instrumental during the Griffs’ Atlantic Hockey championship run during the 2012-13 season. He recorded 10 points and was also a key member of the penalty kill unit, which set a school record and finished with the 11th-best mark in NCAA history at 90.1 percent.

Bohrer has also excelled off the ice at Canisius. He is a three-time selection to the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team and was named the 2011-12 Atlantic Hockey Top-Scholar Athlete.

The Griffs return 22 letterwinners from its most successful season in school history for the 2013-14 campaign. Canisius won the program’s first Atlantic Hockey Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, while also finishing the season ranked 19th in the final USCHO.com national poll, the highest placement in the program’s history.