Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
JCU Club Hockey before playing Pitt on 12-9-23
Gabby Hougan

Club Hockey Carries Hot First Semester into Winter

| By: Jack O'Rourke, Senior Staff Writer
The Blue Streaks return to the ice in non-conference play against Aquinas College this weekend.
Carrying a large senior class, the 2023-24 incarnation of the John Carroll Blue Streak hockey team is a special story. Most of the team has spent 2-3 seasons together, and the program has a uniquely bonded team under head coach Scott Shantery. Following an injury-riddled, slow start to the season's opening weeks, the Blue Streaks went on an 11-2-1 tear, including a 4-1 road win over nationally ranked Pitt. A 4-1-1 CHMA conference record has been good enough for the #2 seed in conference play halfway through the season, with the Blue Streaks sitting a comfortable 8 points ahead of the playoff berth cut line. 

For the Blue Streaks forward group, the first semester was a strong showing in which the Streaks averaged five goals per game. Junior forward Sean Deakin had a national breakout, leading the Blue Streaks in points (31), goals (17), power-play goals (5), and shorthanded goals (2). Deakin has also had tremendous help from his two linemates, Pittsburgh natives Tyler Putnam and Adam Unruh. Putnam is one of five qualified Blue Streaks above a point per game this season and has made strides as a playmaker opposite Deakin. Unruh, an alternate captain, has centered the line successfully while providing 20 points in addition to his stellar defense. For Deakin, no concerns lie in regaining the chemistry with his linemates.

"This has been the longest time away from the ice in my John Carroll hockey career," said Deakin. "That being said, the first few practices back together felt very smooth and gave us the confidence for the remainder of the season. Aquinas, this weekend will be a difficult test for us, but we are excited to use this weekend as a tuneup for our league games that we have the rest of the season." 

While the Blue Streaks' top line has made waves, they have found scoring from all across the forward room. Charlie Tuggey has maintained an above-point per-game quota since joining the team at this time last season and has shown the ability to take over a game by his lonesome. Tuggey has been flanked by graduate student Max Richter and senior Luke McNamara. Richter has been a known commodity as a constant offensive threat throughout the CHMA over the past three seasons and provides invaluable playoff experience to the second line. McNamara may very well be the Blue Streaks' strongest two-way player, and his playmaking ability perfectly compliments his two wingers with a knack for the back of the net.

The emergence of freshman Anthony LaGreca has headlined a young, impressive Blue Streak third line. LaGreca recorded 11 points in the final nine games of the semester including a four-game point streak to end the semester. On LaGreca's wings, sophomore Sam Herr returned from injury and has provided 13 points in 13 games, while fellow freshman Austin Malley earned his way into the top nine with 13 points in 14 games.

A slew of other Blue Streak forwards have also positively contributed to the strong first semester. In addition to being an excellent addition to the locker room, Henry Cseh has locked down the fourth-line center role with his hockey brand. Senior Tyler Lamark has used his experience to step into roles on higher lines when need be and had a strong semester alongside Cseh on the gritty fourth line. Loukas Wu's high-intensity playstyle and energy have quickly made him a fan favorite, while Charlie Mitchell played a career-high 17 games in the first semester and earned consistent playing time while showing what he can do. Ethan McClain also brings a physical presence to the Blue Streaks and is unafraid to enter the dirty areas. Watch for another strong semester from the bottom six to create highlighted matchups for the Blue Streaks' top forwards.

Defensively, this may be one of the strongest units the Blue Streaks have had in recent memory. Three defensemen, captain Clay Gazdak, alternate captain Tristan Weigand, and Payton Fogarty, provided 20+ point first semesters, putting concrete to the idea that the Streaks have one of the strongest offensive defensemen rooms in the country. For Gazdak, the goal is clear this semester, and expectations are high.

"The team we've had this year so far has had a lot of growth with the seniors being leaders on and off the ice as well as the freshman contributing in all aspects of our team as well," said Gazdak. "If there's a team that I know can make a run this year, it's this team right now, especially for myself and the rest of the seniors. The only way how we want our season to end is with a championship and a trip to Nationals."

Junior Aidan Conway playing all-star caliber defense has become as consistent as winter advisory warnings in the Great Lakes, while Christian Olszewski has quietly put together an unbelievable season on the blue line, cementing his spot in the lineup. Ryan Young has shown the ability to play with any of the Blue Streaks' other defensemen while called upon to do so, and he is a few crossbars and posts away from replicating his offensive success of previous seasons. Young's ability to eat minutes nightly is an excellent guarantee for Shantery when filling out the lineup. Freshman Matt Covelli has shined in some moments as the lone freshman defenseman and will develop into his own talent despite the upperclassmen's heavy defensive core. 

The Blue Streaks' goaltending has produced much excitement for fans. Jack Zuchlewski went 6-1-1 with a sub 2.50 GAA and an SV% above .920, which would be good enough for some votes to head to Toronto. Freshman Brodie Lerch compiled a 5-3-1 record in his first ACHA semester, showing that the sky is the limit for the Twinsburg native. What may be most impressive is the depth of the goaltending. Fifth-year student Alex Smat was 2-0 with a 1.33 GAA, while freshman Keegan Heft also won his lone start of the semester, allowing only one goal. Fellow freshman Trey Thompkins also gained invaluable experience, making two starts against nationally ranked Grand Valley State and a strong Syracuse team. 

The Blue Streaks return to the ice in non-conference play against Aquinas College this weekend. The John Carroll Sports Network will not be streaming the two-game set. The Blue Streaks' final six regular season games will occur over the following three weekends, featuring a game against each conference opponent. The full schedule can be found at https://jcusports.com/sports/club-hockey/schedule. With no help from opponents, the Blue Streaks can clinch a playoff spot with five points over their final six conference games.

Follow @hockeyjcu on X, Instagram, and TikTok for updates, and tune into jcusports.com/live for all home games and select road games, including the matchup with IUP next weekend. 
 
Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Now Playing:

Related Stories

Sponsors