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Beauts Sign First Overall Draft Selection

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Randy Schultz
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BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts announced that they have signed the first overall selection in the 2021 NWHL International Draft. Swedish goaltender Lovisa Berndtsson is the newest player to don “Beauts Blue”. A veteran of 14 seasons of professional level hockey in Sweden – including nine in the SDHL – she will be playing her first pro season in North America, now at the age of 32.  

“It means a lot to me and I’m very happy that the Beauts have given me this opportunity,” said Berndtsson. “After many years in Sweden, it will be a great experience to play in North America. I also look forward to getting to know the city of Buffalo. I feel extremely honored to represent the Buffalo Beauts this coming season and can’t wait to get the season started!”

Berndtsson’s career in Sweden saw her play primarily for Djurgårdens IF in the SDHL. She was the club’s main goaltender from 2015-16 through this past 2020-21 season. Berndtsson’s six seasons for Djurgårdens saw her compile a solid record of 92 wins in 150 regular season games. Her most key season came in 2016-17. Berndtsson went 17-10-0 in 27 regular season games, and put forth phenomenal numbers of a 1.77 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. She was even better in the postseason – six victories and only a single loss, three shutouts, with a whopping 0.98 GAA and a .958 SV%. Such a performance culminated into Berndtsson and Djurgårdens winning the 2016-17 SDHL championship. 

“I’m a calm goalie, so I hope to help spread calmness and stability within the team,” Berndtsson said. “I work a lot on having good positioning to make my game easier. I love to compete and hope the fans will notice all of this in my game.”

On the international stage, Berndtsson’s incredible 2016-17 performance would also see her named to Team Sweden for the 2017 Women’s World Championship. In an example of good things coming to those who wait and persevere, it was not until Berndtsson was 27 years old that she made her National Team debut. 

“Lollo is extremely calm under pressure,” said Beauts General Manager Nate Oliver. “She is a proven champion in one of the finest hockey leagues in the world, and she has found a lot of success in her career all because of her hard work and determination. She is the epitome of an athlete who does not have an ounce of quit. With Lollo we know that we are getting a veteran number-one netminder whose experience can rub off on our two younger goalies, and she can step in to win us tight games when we need her to do so.”

Berndtsson herself is already looking forward to working alongside Buffalo’s two other highly talented goalies, Carly Jackson and Caty Flagg. It is an opportunity for all three netminders to play off of one another and build something special in Buffalo’s goal crease. 

“I am really looking forward to working alongside CJ and Caty,” said Berndtsson. “I’ve only heard great things about them, and I can’t wait to get to know them both. I think we can all learn from each other and have a great season together.”

TJ Manastersky Named Asst. Men’s Hockey Coach

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Randy Schultz
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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Bringing over a decade of collegiate coaching experience to Schenectady, TJ Manastersky has been named assistant men’s hockey coach at Union College, head coach Rick Bennett announced.
 
“I am grateful to Rick Bennett for the opportunity to coach at Union College,” Manastersky said. “I am thrilled to join a storied hockey program at an elite institution, and I am eager to get to work with Coach Bennett, Coach Ronan, and the exemplary student-athletes.”
 
“Our program is excited to announce TJ as the newest addition to the men’s hockey coaching staff,” said Bennett. “TJ’s passion and ability to connect with student-athletes was evident in the hiring process. His nine years of head coaching experience at Curry College and his numerous coaching accolades during that time speak volumes about him as a person and a coach. TJ is widely respected in the college hockey community and it will be an honor to work with him and John Ronan this upcoming season.”
 
Manastersky comes to Union following nine years as the head men’s hockey coach at Division III Curry College. During his time in Milton, he led the Colonels to a 113-82-19 (.572) record, berths in all four Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournaments, and seven postseason appearances in eight seasons overall. He was the youngest coach in the NCAA when hired before the 2012-13 season.
 
He was named CCC Coach of the Year in 2018-19, when he guided the Colonels to a 16-7-3 record, which included a 13-2-1 mark in the final 16 games of the regular season and a win at the season-opening Buffalo State Tournament.
 
Off the ice, Curry boasted 30 AHCA All-American Scholars since 2019, the most of any NCAA college hockey program, in addition to eight Curry Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards and five class valedictorians.
 
Prior to his time with Curry, Manastersky spent three years as an assistant at Div. III Fredonia State University and two years at Div. I Canisius College. He also has worked as a regional scout with the USHL and spent time as an evaluator with USA Hockey, the Greater Ontario Hockey League and Team Ontario.
 
Manastersky played collegiately at Oswego State and graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in athletic coaching. He also earned a master’s of science in health and physical education from Canisius in 2009.
 
Manastersky’s first game on the Dutchmen bench will be on October 8, when Union begins the 2021-22 season at the University of New Hampshire.

New York State College Players Drafted By NHL

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Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

Clarkson and Cornell will add NHL logos on the line sheet for three incoming freshmen selected on day two of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Dallas drafted left wing Ayrton Martino from Omaha in the United States Hockey League in the third round 73rd overall.

Martino registered 56 points in 38 games during the 2020-21 season as the 5’11”, 160 lb. left shot finished the season tied for fifth on the club in assists (38), while ranking eighth in points.

Previously Martino spent two seasons with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League (OJHL) and posted 121 points in 92 regular-season contests. He also appeared in 15 postseason games with St. Michaels, registering 16 points.

Cornell had two players chosen this year in freshman forward Justin Ertel and freshman defenseman Hank Kempf.

Ertel was selected by the Dallas Stars also in the third round 79th overall and Kempf was picked by the New York Rangers in the seventh round 208th overall.

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Ertel is the latest power forwards to find their way to The Hill from St. Andrew’s College. He will become the fourth St. Andrew’s product to join the Big Red over the last five seasons.

Ertel racked up 120 points on 51 goals and 69 assists in 68 games at St. Andrew’s after coming up through the Mississauga Senators and Toronto Red Wings AAA programs. With the 2020-21 season for the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ertel accrued 28 points in 18 games with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.

Kempf, was a 6’2”, 200 lb. shutdown defender in his two full seasons with Muskegon in the United States Hockey League, and was selected to the second all-star team following the truncated 2020-21 season. He sported a plus-21 rating with four goals and 24 assists for 28 points over 81 career USHL games.

Kempf was selected to compete in the 2021 BioSteel All-American Game and also has international experience with USA Hockey. He also has bloodlines tied to the Big Red, as he is the cousin of Stephen Bâby ’03—a Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and All-American who scored 115 points over his Big Red career.

The Rangers are no strangers to Cornell, as Kempf’s selection marks the sixth time the Blueshirts have drafted a Cornellian — the most of any NHL team.

U.S. Roster Announced for 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship

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Randy Schultz
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Team USA is looking to win sixth-straight gold medal August 20-31 

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – USA Hockey announced the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will compete in the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship, August 20-31 in Calgary, Alberta.

The 25-player roster features 15 members of the U.S. Women’s National Team who helped capture gold at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship, including Cayla Barnes (Eastvale, Calif.), Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), Dani Cameranesi (Plymouth, Minn.), Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.), Alex Cavallini (Delafield, Wis.), Jesse Compher (Northbrook, Ill.), Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.), Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wis.), Megan Keller (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.), Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho), Kelly Pannek (Plymouth, Minn.), Maddie Rooney (Andover, Minn.), Hayley Scamurra (Williamsville, N.Y.) and Lee Stecklein (Roseville, Minn.).

The roster also includes forwards Britta Curl (Bismarck, N.D.), Lacey Eden (Annapolis, Md.), Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park, Ill.), Abby Roque (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) and Grace Zumwinkle (Excelsior, Minn.); defenders Natalie Buchbinder (Fairport, N.Y.), Jincy Dunne (O’Fallon, Mo.), Savannah Harmon (Downers Grove, Ill.) and Caroline Harvey (Pelham, N.H.); and goaltender Nicole Hensley (Lakewood, Colo.).

Within the team, 13 states are represented. Illinois and Minnesota lead the way, each with five representatives, followed by Wisconsin (3), Michigan (2) and New York (2). California, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire and North Dakota each have one representative.The full roster and staff list can be found here. 

NOTES: Joel Johnson (St. Paul, Minn.) is serving as head coach of the 2021 U.S. Women’s National Team, alongside assistant coaches Brian Pothier (New Bedford, Mass.) and Courtney Kennedy (Woburn, Mass.),  and goaltending coach Alli Altmann (Eagan, Minn.) … The U.S. will conduct a training camp in Blaine, Minnesota, from August 4-9 as part of the U.S. Women’s National Team Festival in preparation for the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship. The camp is closed to the public and media … All Team USA games in the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship will air live on NHL Network in the U.S. … The U.S. has won the last five IIHF Women’s World Championships and captured the top prize a total of nine times (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), including eight of the last nine tournaments … Team USA is 77-5-6-8-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) in 97 games all-time in the women’s world championship and has outscored opponents 634-139.

Williamsville’s Clark Selected By Caps

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Randy Schultz
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Chase Clark

By Warren Kozireski —

The Washington Capitals selected Williamsville native Chase Clark with the sixth-round draft pick (183rd overall) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

The 19-year-old primarily played this past season for the New Jersey Hitmen of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), finishing the season with an 18-2-1 record with three shutouts, a 1.92 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. The 6’6”, 202 lb. left-handed goaltender led the Hitmen to a championship and Jersey earned the NCDC Founders’ Cup.

He also played three games in the USHL for Tri-City.

“Really interesting guy…he was playing in New Jersey and we had video from him there and we ended up seeing him in the USHL and he was impressive for a big 6’6”, 200 lb. guy,” Washington Assistant General Manager Ross Mahoney said. “Pretty controlled and pretty athletic and that’s not easy at that height and that age and that position so really impressed with him.

“And our goalie department with our goalie coach and one of our scouts who concentrates a little more on goalies were also impressed, so hopefully we found a diamond in the rough with a later pick in the draft.”

The Buffalo Regals product also spent one season in a Jr. Sabres uniform.

(Photo by Janet Schultz Photography)

2021 Buffalo Sabres Draft Day Two

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

Buffalo walked into Day Two of the 2021HLEntry Draft with nine picks including the first selection of the second round and began by selecting Russian Prokhor Poltapov.

The 6’0”, 176 lb. right wing scored a combined27 goals and 59 points in 68 games with Krasnaya juniors and for Team Russia at the World Under-18 tournament.

“He’s the type of guy who is good enough offensively to play any kind of offensive role, but he also does the other things that offensive guys don’t want to do,” one scout said in The Hockey News Draft Preview.

With their other second round pick acquired from Boston, the Sabres selected left wing Alexander Kisakov from Dynamo Moscow where he quadrupled his point total and finished second on the league scoring 36 goals with 37 assists in 61 games. Slight build at 5’10” and 150 lb.

“Each (Poltapov and Kisakov) plays in their premiere organization in Russia,” Sabres Director of Amateur Scouting Jerry Forton said. “There was an emphasis in our organization over the last year and a half to deeply look at some of the Russian and Czech Republic players. We have a great scout and we did a lot of video and date analysis of these players as well.”

In the third round 88th overall, Buffalo chose Poltapov teammate right wing Stiven Sardarian from Russia. The 6’1” 154 lb. left shot totaled a combined 58 points in 58 games this past season. He is committed to play at the University of New Hampshire in 2022-23 and the plan is for him to play in the USHL with Youngstown this fall.

95th overall to end the third round, the Sabres grabbed 6’2”, 183 lb. left wing Josh Bloom from Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League. He had a knack for scoring in lower junior hockey, but has struggled to find points of late with a combined 16 points in 59 games in 2019-20. He did not play last season.

“It was a really weird year…but fortunately I heard my name called and I’m thrilled that it was Buffalo,” Bloom said. “We were sitting in my living room and didn’t get the call like we thought we would, but saw my name on the screen and jumped up and got a

To begin the fourth round, the Sabres went with left wing Oliver Nadeau from Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior League. 6’2” and 205 lb. already, he registered 32 assists (tied for sixth in the league) and 45 points in 34 games last season.

“I think I’m a power forward and work both ends of the ice and bring energy to my game,” Nadeau said.

159th overall late in the fifth round in a pick acquired from Montreal, the Sabres selected Finnish 5’11”, 154 lb. left wing Viljami Marjala, who came over the play in the Quebec Major Junior League with the Quebec Remparts last season where he put up 22 assists and 27 points in 30 games.

“It was harder; I didn’t have much time there and it was physical,” Marjala said. “I see myself as a two-way forward that can play either center or winger. I was watching TV with my family and saw my name come up—it’s an incredible feeling.”

Two picks later to start the sixth round, Swedish winger William von Barnekow was the selection. 6’4”, 191 lbs., he had his best offensive season last year with 22 points in 26 games on loan to Tyringe. He is expected to rejoin Malmo this fall.

188th overall in the sixth round, Buffalo went with 23-year-old Russian defenseman Nikita Novikov, who played in the Czech Republic this past season. Standing 6’0”, 176 lb., he has only played a combined 14 games over the past two seasons.

They started the seventh round by selecting center Tyson Kozak via Portland in the WHL. 5’11”, 173 lb., the Manitoba native had 11 points in the abbreviated 18 game season. 

“We did not go into this draft thinking we were going to select five Russians, Forton said. “But we did have a very strong comfort level with a lot of the Russians players on our list. They have all played a lot of hockey over the last two seasons, we had great video and analytic data.

“I had a pretty good idea that we had a couple of these Russians a little higher than other organizations, so I had a decent idea that a couple might that way…but we’re very happy with the players we got.”

(Buffalo Sabres Draft Photo)

2021 NY Rangers Draft Day Two

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

After taking Brennan Othmann in the first round, the New York Rangers entered the second day of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft with eight selections including two in the third round and three more in the fourth round.

With the first of the third-round choices (65th overall) acquired from Buffalo, new General Manager Chris Drury selected Jayden Grubbe from Red Deer in the Western Hockey League. 6’2”, 200 lb. at center, he missed all but five games this past season with a torn ACL, but had 23 assists in 57 games the year prior.

“It’s (the knee) getting there,” Grubbe said to the Red Deer website. “I’m back on the ice now so that’s nice. It feels pretty normal actually, it’s just a matter of getting that strength back. Just getting that bit of quad muscle back to normal is the biggest thing right now. His rehab has included mobility exercises in an attempt to restore a full range of motion and weight training to build the hamstring and quad muscles. Now I’m working out in the pool and running and biking with my trainer. I’m just doing what I can to rebuild muscle.”

They traded up to get the 75th overall pick in the third round and took Ryder Korczak from Moose Jaw in the WHL. The 5’10”, 159 lb. center was almost a point-per-game player in the shortened season with 16 points in 17 games. He was always had more assists 5than goals. In his last full season, he registered 49 assists and 67 points in 62 games. His brother Kaeden was a Vegas selection in 2019.

“I would say that I’m a playmaking forward, I see the ice well, I have good agility…and can make a good first pass,” Korczak said. “I broke my jaw, but I’m back from injury and feeling good,”

In the busy fourth round the Rangers chose 104th and 106th overall. They chose right wing Brody Lamb from the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League. The Minnesota native is committed to the University of Minnesota in 2022-23. 6’1”and 161 lb. he averaged more than two goals per game playing high school hockey this past season and played ten games with Green Bay.

106th it was Finnish left wing Kalle Vaisanen, who registered 30 points in 27 games with the U-20 program at SM-sarja and was part of Team Finland at the U-18 tournament. He will play with Liiga this coming season.

112th overall and their third pick of the fourth round, the Rangers went goaltending in 6’8”, 201 lb. Talyn Boyko from Tr-City in the WHL. In the short season, the Alberta native sported a 3.02 goals against average. If he makes the NHL one day, he would be the tallest goaltender in league history.

Czech right-wing Jaroslav Chmelar was their fifth rounder taken 144th overall. 6’4”, 198 lbs. he had 13 points in 15 games with Jokerit U-18 and played for Team Czech Republic in two international tournaments last season.

With the sixth-round pick, their final selection 208th overall in the seventh round was 6’2”, 190 lb. defenseman Hank Kempf who is heading to Cornell University this fall. He scored four goals with ten points in 26 games with Muskegon in the USHL this past season and had 17 assists in 49 games the year before.

“I know we’ve talked about trying to be harder to play against and you watch these playoffs and see how big and physical things are in the spring,” General Manager Chris Drury said about the tendency to draft players with size his first draft.

“We’re excited to get both those centers where we did (referring to their two third round elections). Two different types of players—one big and more rugged, the other one smaller and more craftier.”

(Rangers/NHL.com photo)

2021 NY Islanders Day Two Draft

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

After not having a first-round pick in the New York Islanders had six picks on day two and began by selecting Aatu Raty 52nd overall in the second round.

Projected as a first rounder, his stock dropped a bit after scoring just six points in 35 games. A 6’1”, 181 lb. center from Finland, his older brother Aku is with the Arizona organization as a fifth-round pick in 2019.

“I’m super happy to be drafted by the Islanders,” Raty said. “I think my strengths are my hockey sense, my playmaking and my stickhandling. Tough season for me and the team I played for. It’s a super tough league with grown men…and I kind of struggled to get consistent minutes, but it got better near the end and I’ll be more ready next season.”

In the third round 93rd overall, the Islanders selected goaltender Tristan Lennox via Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League. Sized at 6’4” and 190 lb. the Mississauga native did not play in 2020-21, but registered a 20-8-3 record with a 3.63 goals against average in 33 games.

“It’s definitely been a tough year for me missing the game and the people I compete with daily,” Lennix said. “I was with the Toronto Marlies for a bit as well, so that helped me see the pro game. Mitch is a really good goalie coach and…just learning things from him daily will only help me to get the next level, so I’m really excited to work with him for sure.”

125th overall in the fourth round, University of Nebraska-Omaha bound center Cameron Berg (6’0”, 192 lb.) was taken. He scored 27 goals and racked up 58 points in 51 games this past season with Muskegon in the United States Hockey League and added four goals in four playoff games.

With the 157th overall pick in the fifth round, the Islanders tabbed 6’2”, 205 lb. left wing Eetu Liukas from Liiga, Finland. He had seven points in 24 games last season.

Finnish defenseman Aleksi Malinen was their sixth-round choice 189th overall. 6’0”, 185 lb., the defensive specialist had four points in 38 games with three different teams last season and is expected to return to Liiga in the fall. He has never scored more than three goals or 14 points in one season.

Their final selection, 221st overall, was 6’4”, 189 lb. Czech defenseman Tomas Machu. He jumped around to five different teams this past season combining for two goals and ten points over 25 games including the U-18 tournament.

Rangers Take Othmann From Flint 16th Overall

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

“He has the potential to play anywhere in your lineup…his skill and hockey sense are underrated and when he plays with good players, he’s going to be fine,” one scout said about the New York Ranger 2021 first round draft pick Brennan Othmann in The Hockey News Draft Preview.

The left wing headed to Switzerland this past year after the Ontario Hockey League season was cancelled and put up 16 points in 34 games playing against men. He added three goals and three assists in seven games for Team Canada at the U-18 tournament.

“Othmann is so detail oriented and his game has a lot of different levels. He can score in a multitude of different ways. He forechecks hard. He plays physically. He continues to improve as a two-way player and projects to be a high-end defensive forward at the NHL level IMO. The skating, particularly his first step explosiveness, looks better playing in Switzerland. I truly believe Othmann is the type of player we’ll see slowly creep up draft lists (just like we saw Quinn do) because of how easy it is to see his game translating to the NHL level. There’s a high floor, but also a high ceiling depending on how much his vision and creativity with the puck can continue to improve.” – Brock Otten, OHL Prospects 

The Scarborough, Ontario native stands 6’0”and 174 lbs. He played for Flint in the OHL in 2019-20 and tallied 33 points in 55 games and he will return there this fall.

Huntington’s Coronato Selected 13th Overall By Calgary

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

His stock soaring after a 48 goal, 37 assist campaign with USHL Clark Cup champion Chicago in 2020-21, Matt Coronato was taken in the first round, 13th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

The 5’10”, 183 lb. center/left wing played for New Jersey as a U-14 and Long Island in 2017-18 before joining the Steel for two seasons. There he improved from 18 goals as a 17-year-old to a new franchise record 48 this past year and also increased his helpers by 15 and was named 2021 USHL Forward of the Year. He had 85 points in total and added another nine goals and 13 points in only eight playoff games.

That shot The Harvard commit up the Central Scouting rankings. Some had him as a mid-to-late first round selection, but others a second rounder.

“His best asset is probably his compete level, which amplifies all his other attributes,” one scout told The Hockey News for their Draft Preview edition.

“Coming into the season, there were a lot of things I wanted to improve on so I could take my game to the next level,” Coronato said. “My skating, for example, was a big focus for me between my first and second years.

“Obviously, my shot took a step forward, too.

“But, honestly, a big part of how it all came together was opportunity. With it being my second year with the Steel, I think I was given more responsibility, playing a lot on the powerplay and, really, in all situations. That helped a lot and having more opportunity led to even more confidence when I had the puck on my stick.

“To me, those are the two things that really helped me elevate my game. And once you get going and start feeling good about yourself, you start seeing the puck go in on a consistent basis, you’ve got to keep it rolling.”

In a matter of months it is off the college hockey and the Crimson.

“This summer in the gym, I definitely want to put on some weight, gain a few pounds and come in a little stronger ready to play with the bigger guys in college.

“I’m excited.

“I know it’s going to be a good challenge for me, but with the draft coming up and the season I just had, I’m more than ready for it.”

(USHL.com photo)

Buffalo Adds Power To Their Blueline Corp

By
Randy Schultz
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

If you take a close look at the rosters of each of the final four teams alive in the NHL playoffs (Tampa Bay, Montreal, NY Islanders, Las Vegas), they each had at least one shutdown defenseman and the Buffalo Sabres likely added that component to their blueline with the selection of University of Michigan product Owen Power with the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Standing 6’5”and 214 lbs. at 18 years old, Power jumped right into the Wolverines lineup as a true freshman and proved to be a stabilizer in all situations.

A mobile skater, he may not provide much offensively after putting up 16 points over 26 games this past season, but will be a much-needed impact player both five-on-five and on the penalty kill.

“I think it’s pretty special with my family celebrating with me,” Power said. “I didn’t know until they called my name; I was kind of hoping. I’m excited for what’s to come.

“I’m a two-way defenseman who can play in all situations and play a lot of minutes.”

The Mississauga native spent two seasons with Chicago in the USHL prior to college.

Any doubts about him being able to compete at the next level were likely quashed at the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championships in Latvia as he started on the fourth defensive pair, but quickly gained regular shifts before rising to the top pair midway through the tournament and led Team Canada in ice time.

“It was a great learning experience just being there and winning the gold medal was really special.”

“Every game he’s got more confidence,” Team Canada head coach Gerald Gallant said.” The kid’s going to be a superstar hockey player.”

Power has not decided whether to turn pro right away or return for his sophomore season at Michigan.

“I haven’t talked with anyone from Buffalo yet, so I will just celebrate with my family and friends and not worry about it. I think I’m ready to play, but I have to decide what’s best for my development,” Power said.

With their second first round selection acquired earlier in the day from Philadelphia in the Rasmus Ristolainen deal, Buffalo selected Isak Rosen from Leksand in Sweden.

A 5’11”, 161 lb. left wing will be expected to produce goals as he scored 21 goals in 38 games in his final junior season. Playing against men this past season, he was goalless in 22 games. He won a bronze medal with Team Sweden at the World Under 18’s as one of their top forwards scoring seven goals in seven games.

“I think I learned a lot from being around the men and getting to see how they work…so I think I was ready for the U-18 tournament,” Rosen said. “Of course I’ve looked at Victor Oloffson because his release is something else and I’ve tried to learn from that.”

“I like to watch Elias Petersen (Vancouver) who plays in many situations. I’m not the biggest guy, but I play very hard and am a really good skater both with the puck and without the puck.”

(NHL.com photo)

Kraken Acquire 4 Players In Expansion Draft With New York State Connections

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Randy Schultz
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0

BY WARREN KOZIRESKI —

The Seattle Kraken selected four players in their expansion draft who have New York State connections. They include their pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Gavin Bayreuther.

Bayreuther played for four seasons at St. Lawrence University (2013-17).

Forward Colin Blackwell, Seattle’s pick from the NY Rangers, was a Rochester Amerk in 2017-18.

Jorden Eberle, a forward, was selected from the New York Islanders.

Will Borgen, a defenseman, was chosen from the Buffalo Sabres.

Beauts Sign Hamilton College’s Finest

By
Randy Schultz
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BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts announced today that their second of three 2021 3rd-round draft selections has signed with the team. Chosen 15th overall, forward Missy Segall became the first player from Hamilton College to be selected in the NWHL Draft. She is also the Beauts’ fourth 2021 draft selection to sign with the team. 

“It’s such an honor to be the first player to represent Hamilton in the NWHL Draft,” said Segall. “In the past couple of years the program has been gaining a lot of visibility and is only on its way up. I hope that the Beauts drafting me only encourages more good players to play at Hamilton because it’s such a special program.”

Segall was nearly a point-per-game player (9-13-22 in 25 GP) during her junior season in 2019-20. Among her nine goals were two game-winners, along with single tallies on the power play, shorthanded and even an empty-netter. Such numbers saw her named to the All-NESCAC second team.

“I am extremely excited for Missy’s energy,” said Beauts head coach Rhea Coad. “From our first phone call, I knew that she is very passionate about her craft. It’s great to have a team full of players with so much energy. Missy’s presence and urgency on the ice are what really stood out to us. It’s a pleasure to have Missy joining our Beauts family.”

Segall set a career-high of 11 goals in 25 games as a freshman in 2017-18. Four of those tallies came on the power play, while three of her goals held up to be game-winners. Across the three seasons she played for the Continentals, Segall scored 25 goals, 26 assists and 51 points in 76 games. Prior to her collegiate career at Hamilton, she played three seasons for the Boston Junior Eagles. 

After not being able to compete during the 2020-21 season, Segall is very much excited to get back to the rink, now as a pro player. 

“After having my senior season canceled because of the coronavirus, I’m excited to be playing hockey games again,” said Segall. “While practices are fun, there’s nothing like playing an actual game. This past year I missed all aspects of the game day; from the bus rides, to the drop of the puck, to postgame cool downs. I’m just excited to be playing hockey games again and to do so in Buffalo.”  

RPI Men’s Hockey Places 28 On ECAC All-Academic Team

By
Randy Schultz
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TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team has placed 28 student-athletes on the 2020-21 ECAC Hockey All-Academic team, the league has announced. The Engineers saw nine student-athletes earn the distinction for the first time. Cory Babichuk was named to the Commissioner’s List, earning a 4.0 grade point average in both semesters.

Senior goaltender Linden Marshall (Victoria, BC/Trail Smoke Eaters) was the lone engineering majors to make the list, while the other 27 are Business and Management majors, including four-time recipients Marshall and Billy Jerry (River Falls, WI / Madison Capitals). Three freshmen earned the award and now have a chance to be four-year recipients during their careers.

Players are eligible for the All-Academic team if they earn a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or have a GPA over 3.00 over the past three semesters.

As a team, Rensselaer had a department-high GPA of 3.59 in the Spring 2021 semester and boast a cumulative average of 3.45. Twenty-eight student-athletes had at least a 3.0 GPA last semester with 20 of them earning a 3.50-or-better.

NameYearMajorAll-Academic Teams
Cory BabichukJr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
John BeatonSo.Business and Management2020-21
Nick BowmanSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19
John BrackettSo.Business and Management2019-20, 2017-18
Alec CalvarusoSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
Dylan DaviesFr.Business and Management2020-21
Daniel DiGrandeSr.Business and Management2019-20, 2018-19
Zach DubinskyJr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
Brady FernerSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19
Jake GagnonFr.Business and Management2020-21
Kyle HallbauerSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
Louie HelsenSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
Rory HerrmanJr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
Billy JerrySr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18
Jake JohnsonSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19
Simon KjellbergJr.Business and Management2020-21
Mason KleeJr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
Jakub LackaSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19
Ottoville LeppänenSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19
Ture LindenSr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19
Ryan MahshieJr.Business and Management2020-21, 2019-20
Linden MarshallSr.Mechanical Engineering2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18
James McIsaacSo.Business and Management2020-21
Brett MillerSo.Business and Management2020-21
Altti NykanenFr.Management Engineering2020-21
Henri SchreifelsSo.Business and Management2020-21
Lauri SertiSo.Business and Management2020-21
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