Colonials picked to finish 3rd in CHA
September 28, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under CHA Conference
Urban finished 9th in Scoring in the CHA in '08
The official poll from College Hockey America came out today, and this year the Colonials are slotted to finish in 3rd yet again:
1) Bemidji State Beavers -’08 Record: 20-16-1 (12-5-1), 2008 Regular Season & CHA Tourney Champions
2) Niagara Purple Eagles -’08 Record : 16-14-6 (9-5-4)
3) Robert Morris Colonials -’08 Record: 10-19-7 (5-8-5)
4) Alabama-Huntsville Chargers -’08 Record: 5-20-5 (3-11-4)
Two Colonials were also picked for the 2009 All-CHA Preseason Team:
F Chris Moran, Niagara, Senior
-6th in CHA in Scoring – 31 Points (12 G, 19 A), 18 Points in CHA Play
F Matt Read, Bemidji State, Junior
-3rd in CHA in Scoring – 40 Points (15 G, 25 A), 15 Points in CHA Play
F Nathan Longpre, Robert Morris, Junior
-2nd in CHA in Scoring – 41 Points (12 G, 29 A), 21 Points in CHA Play
D Brad Hunt, Bemidji State, Sophomore
-1st in defencemen in CHA in Points [32 Points (9 G, 23 A)]
D Denny Urban, Robert Morris, Junior
-2nd in defencemen in CHA in Points [27 Points (4 G, 23 A)]
G Cameron Talbot, Alabama-Huntsville, Junior
-2.95 GAA, .907 Save %, (2.88 GAA & .903 Save % in CHA Play)
More reactions and analysis to come later this evening, so check back.
Partnership underway with Facoff-Factor.com
September 24, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under Off the Ice
A new partnership has been reached between RMUCentreIce and the popular Faceoff-Factor.com. In their search to add more local coverage, specifically, the RMU NCAA D1 Men’s Hockey Team, I was contacted by Faceoff-Factor’s Matt Bodenschatz, through his connection with my fellow friend and Colonial Sports Writer, Andrew Chiappazzi (of Colonial’s Corner & the Beaver County Times).
Through our agreement with Faceoff-Factor, I will be writing a feature article that will appear on Faceoff-Factor.com, as an exclusive, covering topics of inside access. These articles will eventually make their way back here to RMUCentreIce. This exclusive coverage will include more in depth analysis of the team, from an individual player standpoint, more than on an individual game and season recap. The partnership with Faceoff-Factor will give hockey fans in Pittsburgh a more direct way to learn about the RMU Hockey program, if they don’t know much about the team already.
I am extremely excited to give another outlet to the Pittsburgh Hockey community to learn and grow with the RMU Hockey program, and an outlet for them to become followers of RMUCentreIce as well!
As articles are written, I will write a brief synopsis of what it is about and provide the link to where you can read it on their site!
Colonials add Andrew Blazek, from Topeka Roadrunners
September 23, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under Recruiting
Blazek meets Kansas National Guard Sgt. Maj. Steve Rodina
The Colonials announced today, via twitter, the addition of (#33) Andrew Blazek of the Topeka Roadrunners. Andrew is from Pittsburgh, and last season he played in 57 games, scoring 29 points (17 G, 12 A), with a +10 rating, 96 PIM, 8 PPP (4 G, 4 A), taking 163 shots (.104 shot percentage).
Prior to playing in Topeka, Andrew split time between the Texas Tornado (NAHL) & the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) in ‘07-’08, and a full season in Des Moines in ‘06-’07.
Here are a few clips that were online of Andrew in the local media & game footage, while playing in Topeka.
Mears showing versatility for Penguins
September 20, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
Just as players find their nitch within the organization, it seems that Steve Mears continues to find his way to feature his talents with the Pittsburgh Penguins Broadcast stations.
Mears will replace play-by-play announcer Mike Lange for the upcoming road games in the pre-season, allowing Mike to take a short break from an early road trip in the year. Mears will work his first game at play-by-play since last season with the New York Islanders.
Mears will host the radio show “Penguins Live,” on the Penguins new HD Radio station (105.9 HD2), beginning on October 1st, from 9:30am until 12pm. Steve has also been rumored to host two brand-new Penguins Television shows, that have yet to be announced, as well as involvement with their current production, Inside Penguins Hockey. The first confirmation of this rumor follows here:
He’ll also conduct post-game interviews at home games on the team’s regular-season radio broadcasts and will host some of the Penguins’ supplementary TV shows.
For more on Steve Mears and his new home with the Penguins, go here:
Ryan Cruthers jumps from ECHL to CHL, signs with Brahmas
September 20, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under Colonials in the Pros
Ryan Cruthers was traded back on April 20th, to Reading Royals from the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the ECHL, and he was working out in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves, but he has signed with the Texas Brahmas of the CHL, joining two former teammates in the league (Bittle and Olson).
Source: Oursportscentral.com
Derek Schooley talks with Centre Ice Tv
September 16, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under Off the Ice
I spoke with Coach Schooley after the Alumni & Pittsburgh Celebrity All-Star Game was over, capping off a great weekend for the RMU Hockey Culture.
Exclusive Interview with Chris Kontos & his revolutionary portable skate sharpener
September 13, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL, Off the Ice
I caught up with former NHL player (and Pittsburgh Penguin) Chris Kontos at the Island Sports Center, right before he was set to show the Pittsburgh Penguins Equipment Staff and Dana Heinze, his new revolutionary portable skate sharpener. The idea comes from his own playing days, missing a shift during games because you lose an edge, his new product “Edge Again” is design to allow an equipment manager to sharpen a player’s skate while on the bench.
Chris tells you more about it in this video:
Penguins hire Steve Mears to host HD Radio Show
September 12, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins are less than a month away from launching the first NHL Team operated HD Radio Station, in conjunction with 105.9 WXDX, and the first move made was bringing in the former New York Islanders TV Play by Play Announcer, Steve Mears, to host a daily show called “Penguins Live.” Steve is a native of Pittsburgh and was known for hoping to come back to Pittsburgh to cover the Penguins.
Source: PittsburghPenguins.com
Mears, 29, spent the last three seasons as the radio play-by-play voice for the New York Islanders. A native of Murrysville and a graduate of Franklin Regional High School, Mears grew up as a Penguins fan, idolizing Mario Lemieux and Mike Lange.
Robbie Fallick returns to ACHA Club Team
September 9, 2009 by Dave Weldon
Filed under Off-season
On August 16th, it was announced that RMU Club goaltender Robbie Fallick was to join the NCAA team as the 3rd goaltender. The RMU NCAA Coaching staff has confirmed that Robbie has decided to rescind the offer to the NCAA team and re-join his club team.
Coach Schooley’s intention with Robbie on the NCAA team was to have him slotted as the team’s third goaltender. He most likely would have seen most of his playing time in the Exhibition games coming up, and during any games that RMU would have been well ahead. That’s not a knock on Robbie, but Coach Schooley has already made the investment on returning Sophomore goaltender Brooks Ostergard and incoming Freshman Eric Levine. Robbie’s numbers last season at the club level were extremely respectable, he had great support to bring him to a 22-7 record, but with a 3.07 GAA and a Save Percentage of .891, that’s significantly lower than what you would place a goaltender in a starting role at the NCAA level, and it would be assumed that his numbers would be a lot higher against a better level of competition.
RMU will be looking for another 3rd goaltender to carry on the roster this year, and they wish Robbie the best of luck in his Junior season with the Club Team, hopefully bringing them another ECHL Championship and their Fourth straight trip to the National Tournament.
