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JCU Hockey picture for season preview
Ashley McCall

2023-24 JCU Club Hockey Season Preview

| By: Jack O'Rourke, Staff Writer
The Blue Streaks have a strong squad this season.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- On Friday night, the puck will drop from Gilmour Academy symbolizing the beginning of a new season of John Carroll hockey. Following a heartbreaking loss to Robert Morris in the CHMA Semifinals game, a veteran corps of players will lead the Streaks on a redemption tour with one goal in mind: a return trip to the ACHA National Tournament.

"This is probably the closest team I've ever been on," said graduate student Max Richter. "We have a very old group, around 11 seniors, which tells you something about the leadership. We hangout a lot on and off the ice, we are more than just teammates. We are just friends and brothers with hockey as the added bonus, which I hope sets a precedent for the culture and just how close this team really can be."

Richter is a headlining member of a forward group that returns 13 members from last year's incarnation of Blue Streak hockey, including eight forwards that produced double digit points last season. 

Along with Richter, Tyler Putnam is the other returning forward that produced north of 25 points last season. Putnam, who led the team with 31 points, also reached the impressive 20 goal plateau as well as being a point per game player. Richter's balanced attack produced 14 goals and 13 assists. 

Two more forwards who are strong candidates to play big minutes for the Blue Streaks are Ethan Miller and Sean Deakin. Miller amassed 22 assists while primarily centering Richter and is known for his feisty, hardworking game. Deakin is one of the best two-way players that you'll find in the ACHA, and if it wasn't for an injury that cost him critical games down the stretch, probably would have also reached 25 points. Deakin's impact was large on the Blue & Gold as he produced 21 points in just 24 games. 

A massive second half addition to Carroll, Charlie Tuggey dazzled opponents en route to a 17 point season in just 10 games, so it will be fun to watch what Tuggey can do should he play a full 30 game season. Matthew Pfeifer is another Blue Streak veteran forward, and one of the most fun Blue Streaks to watch. Pfeifer's combination of hands and speed is possessed by few and envied by all. 

While scoring goals is important, preventing them is just as important of a measure. Three Blue Streak senior forwards that have found a home with their strong defensive efforts will be notables from this group as well. Adam Unruh, known for his humbleness and one-liners, was named an alternate captain and will lock down the position of third line center. The gritty center known for "just having fun" is an ironman for the Blue Streaks that produced 14 points to compliment his lockdown defense. 

In a similar boat to Unruh is senior Luke McNamara. Though injuries have derailed parts of his Blue Streak tenure, McNamara is a big game player that is primed for an impressive senior season. Like his senior counterparts, Tyler Lamark is known for his strong passing ability as well as his defense. Strong seasons from these three forwards will be paramount to the Blue Streaks' success in 2023-24. 

The Blue Streaks also return four more forwards primed to make a jump in their second year with the club. Joe Primiano and Sam Herr played much of their season accompanied by the graduated Matt Commendatore, and the freshmen did not disappoint. The duo combined for 23 points and 15 goals in their rookie campaigns. Ethan McClain, a junior that played his first season last year, is the exact type of forward that is needed to combat the bigger frames of most ACHA opponents. McClain scored his first career goal against Lawrence Tech, one of the nation's premier programs, and is capable of throwing his weight around in the corners and is a strong forechecker. Last, but most certainly not least, of the returning forwards is Wisconsin native Charlie Mitchell. Playing time was tough to find at times for Mitchell given the deep forward group he was a part of, but with a year under his belt, Mitchell's hardwork has him ready for the bright lights. One of the Blue Streaks' top players, Tyler Putnam, has noted multiple times the improvement of the sophomore forward. 

While the Blue Streaks return a veteran class with tons of leadership and depth, coach Scott Shantery was able to bring in a strong freshman class to supplement his returners. Anthony Lagreca showed his prowess in high school, where he produced 84 points over his final two years of high school. Loukas Wu is a local kid from Solon High School, where he was a captain as well as star lacrosse player. The duality of Wu will be fun to watch transition to the ice. Austin Malley comes by way of Peters Township in Pennsylvania, where he produced 26 points in just 19 games his senior season, after being a point per game player his junior year. Another local addition to the program, Bia Savarino starred as a captain at Saint Ignatius where Savarino helped pave the way for a Final Four appearance his senior year. 

"Every line is capable of scoring," said Richter. "The best part is that each line knows their role, where even if we aren't scoring, we are playing in our system and are defensively sound. Everyone buys in and knows what they have to do, and it makes it that much easier to go out and roll."

For as strong as the Blue Streak forward group is, the blueliners present just as much of a challenge for the opposition. Seven of the Streaks' eight defensemen have suited up for the Blue Streaks before. The lone senior in the group is captain Clay Gazdak. The Mentor native posted 20 assists as a junior, and will be a leader for this Blue Streaks' team.

"It means a lot to be named captain," said Gazdak. "I want to continue being a leader on and off the ice, but I cannot emphasize enough that I am not the only leader. We have a big upper class with experience and leadership. Being the captain means a ton to me, and I'm going to try to earn every moment of it." 

Gazdak will be accompanied by his defensive partner and alternate captain, Tristan Weigand. Weigand is arguably the heart and soul of this Blue Streaks' team, and is undoubtedly an emotional leader. Weigand added 17 points from the blue line despite the fact that he took a more defensively focused approach to his sophomore season. 

In addition to Weigand, the Blue Streaks return an incredibly strong junior class at defense. Payton Fogarty was undoubtedly the most improved player from last season, where his work ethic in the offseason jolted him to a 27 point season as a defenseman last year. Like Fogarty, Ryan Young also has a knack for scoring big goals, as "the Sheriff" laid down the law to the tune of a 24 point season in his own right. 

Aidan Conway joined the team last season after spending a year playing Division I football at Cincinnati, and Conway made an immediate impact. Known for his shutdown defense and hard hits, Conway will continue to be a stalwart for the Streaks. Christian Olszewski saw his playing time improve as a sophomore, and the Ohioan played big minutes in big games. Olszewski should factor into the defensive equation for the Blue Streaks, as the once young gun two years ago is now a seasoned veteran defensive option. A Kent State transfer, Henry Cseh has shown versatility as a forward and defenseman, which will give the jack of all trades opportunities to play on all 200 feet of the ice. With a bigger frame, Cseh can adjust quickly to big games against larger opponents. Matt Covelli is the lone rookie to the defensemen room, Covelli comes from pipeline Buffalo Saint Joseph where he was a captain and figures to factor into the room as well. 

"We did very well as a core my sophomore year," said Gazdak. "Obviously, we didn't get the job done last year, but we are ready to move forward and get into the swing of things. We are ready to get better and we should have no chemistry issues, but most importantly we need to get the job done and get some wins."

Without a doubt, goaltending is the least experienced part of the team, but the intrigue and potential surrounding the room is exciting. Chicago native Alex Smat is the most veteran member of the goalies. Smat has been a member of the team for two seasons and went 3-1-0 with a .903 SV% and 3.25 GAA. Accompanying Smat as a returner is sophomore Jack Zuchlewski. Zuchlewski started the last two games of the Blue Streaks' season, a shutout win versus Canisius and the CHMA Semifinal against RMU. Despite the baptism by fire for "JZ", he went 1-1-0 with a .939 SV% and a 1.52 GAA. Both Smat and Zuchlewski are incredibly viable options for the Blue Streaks between the pipes. 

Joining the two returners are a triumvirate of freshman goalies. Keegan Heft comes from the Miami Jr. Redhawks where he posted two seasons with an above .915 SV% and a sub 3.50 GAA. Trey Thompkins comes by way of traditional prep hockey powerhouse Hoosac, and is another welcomed addition to the room. Brodie Lerch played two all star caliber seasons at Walsh Jesuit High School before playing a year of juniors in the USPHL where he posted a .899 SV% and 3.16 GAA against tough competition. 

With many faces, new and old, the message remains the same: reach the ACHA National Tournament. 

"It would be a capstone for every senior," said Smat. "We have a very upperclassmen heavy team that got a taste of it in 2022, but we have to do it again this year to cement a culture change. We don't want to be fringe contenders, we want to be a team that expects to win and creates a standard to pass onto younger players on how to win. I'm excited to see how we implement this message with our older group of guys. 

The journey for the Blue Streaks begins Friday night at Gilmour Academy against Western Michigan. The game begins at 8:10 PM, but can also be streamed at jcusports.com/live if you are unable to attend. 
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