2009-2010 Roster Update

Cornell released its list of incoming recruits and it contained one surprise: Armand de Swardt is coming in this fall instead of deferring a year.

This fall's roster stands at 28 -- 17 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 3 goalies -- assuming there are no early departures. That stands a little heavy at the forward position, which hopefully provides for some spirited competition.

Here's the breakdown by class and position:

Seniors: 6 (8 in 2008-2009)
F - Blake Gallagher (A)
F - Colin Greening (C)
F - Joe Scali
D - Justin Krueger
D - Brendon Nash
G - Ben Scrivens

Juniors: 6 (6 in 2008-2009)
F - Joe Devin
F - Patrick Kennedy
F - Riley Nash (A)
F - Dan Nicholls
F - Tyler Roeszler
D - Mike Devin

Sophomores: 6 (6 in 2008-2009)
F - Sean Collins
F - Locke Jillson
F - Jordan Kary
D - Keir Ross
D - Sean Whitney
G - Michael Garman

Freshmen: 10 (6 in 2008-2009)
F - Erik Axell
F - Armand de Swardt
F - John Esposito
F - Vince Mihalek
F - Greg Miller
F - Chris Moulson
D - Braden Birch
D - Nick D'Agostino
D - Jarred Seymour
G - Omar Kanji

On the horizon...

2010-2011:
Targets (5-6): Fs: 2-3, Ds: 2, Gs: 1

F - Kevin Cole

F - Rodger Craig

F - John Knisley (2011)

D - Mathieu Brisson

D - Kirill Gotovets

G - Andy Iles

For 2010-2011: It looks like there's most likely only 1 forward position open, pending any early departures and possible deferals.

A Different Kind Of Bolt

The Tampa Bay Lightning selected 2010 Big Red recruit Kirill Gotovets in the 7th round. Kirill was the 183rd selection overall.

Tampa Bay has a brief review of Kirill's selection, as does BoltProspects.

Congratulations, Kirill.

NHL Draft Eve

This year's NHL draft will be held on Friday and Saturday in Montreal. According to NHL Central Scouting the following ECAC recruits are rated as possible selections (projected round):

Louis Leblanc (1), Harvard

Jerry D'Amigo (3), RPI

Alexander Fallstrom (3), Harvard

David Valek (3), Harvard

Brandon Pirri (3), RPI

Thomas Larkin (3), Colgate

Brendon Rempel (4), Harvard

Jeremy Price (4), Colgate

Jeremy Langlois (5), Quinnipiac

Gus Young (5), Yale

Ben Sexton (5), Clarkson

Sean Logue (5), St. Lawrence

Dustin Walsh (5), Dartmouth

Kirill Gotovets (6), Cornell

Marshall Everson (7), Harvard

Among goalies (goalie rank):

Michael Condon (21), Princeton

Mathieu Cadieux (26), Quinnipiac

Per school:

Harvard, 5

Colgate, Quinnipiac, and RPI, 2

Clarkson, Cornell, Dartmouth, Princeton, St. Lawrence, and Yale, 1

Ben Bolts

The Kitchener Rangers have signed Ben Thomson to a contract thus ending his NCAA eligibility. This isn't a huge surprise as it was rumored Thomson was OHL-bound before he committed to Cornell. Last week The Scouting News reported that Thomson was about to jilt the Red...sad, but true.

Best wishes to Ben.

Eastern European Red

Chris Heisenberg has reported that Kirill Gotovets (5'11", 170), a 1991-born blueliner from Minsk, Belarus, has committed to Cornell for 2010. Kirill spent this past year at Shattuck-St. Mary's, where he scored 7 goals and added 25 assists in 54 games.

Kirill is a 2-time member of Belarus' U18 national team. In this past season's U18 World Champiionship, Kirill picked up 4 assists in 5 games for Belarus.

Kirill is ranked 179 on the NHL's Central Scouting final 08-09 list. Kirill was also recently selected 18th in the Kontinental Hockey League's draft by Dinamo Moscow.

Welcome to the Big Red, Kirill.

Photo: NHL.com

Last Poll Results

June dawns with its sweet scent of summer, yet even more powerful is its smell of ice...summer hockey is here

Our last poll asked "which newcomer has had the greatest impact this year?"

The results were as follows:

37% -- Keir Ross

25% -- Locke Jillson

13% -- Sean Collins

8% -- Derek Punches

8% -- Sean Whitney

5% -- Jordan Kary

4% -- Michael Garman


Thank you, once again, for voting & please remember to vote in the current Puckhead Poll.

USHL Draft

Mathieu Brisson has been selected by Omaha with the 8th overall selection in this afternoon's draft.

Iles To The NTDP

USHR has reported that Andy Iles will leave Salisbury and spend his senior year in Ann Arbor where he'll join the US National Team Development Program. Andy helped lead Salisbury to the New England Prep championship this past spring.

This fall the NTDP will join the USHL after having participated in the NAHL.

Red Adds Firepower

St. Michael's has announced that Greg Miller (5' 11", 197), a 1989-born center, will be heading to Cornell this fall. Greg was the Buzzers' captain this season and led the team in scoring with 47 goals and 57 assists in 55 games. Greg's regular season totals were good enough to place him in a tie for fourth in the OJHL scoring race. Greg was also a member of Team Canada East in last year's World Junior A Challenge, along with Braden Birch and Nick D'Agostino.

Greg will join two former teammates from St. Mike's, Erik Axell and Nick D'Agostino, on next season's Big Red.

Welcome to the Big Red, Greg.

Photo: OJHL

Thanks, PF.

Australia Slides Down Under

Australia went 0-5 and finished in last place in Group A at the IIHF Division 1 World Championship held this past week in Lithuania. Jarred Seymour was one of the bright spots for Australia, leading the team in scoring with one goal and three assists in the five games, in which Australia was outscored 40-7.

Australia will be relegated to Division 2 for the next qualifying tournament. Kazakhstan won the group and will be elevated to next year's elite division.

Vees Wins OJHL

Kingston defeated Oakville, 5-2, on Tuesday to win the OJHL championship. The Vees scored 4 goals in the opening frame and never looked back. Braden Birch scored a goal for the Blades.

Oakville Pushes To Six

Oakville kept alive on Sunday with a 5-2 win over Kingston on Sunday. Braden Birch was scoreless.

Game six is at Kingston on Tuesday.

Oakville On The Brink

Oakville dropped game four to Kingston on Friday, 4-2, and finds itself down 3-1 in the best-of-seven championship series. Braden Birch was scoreless for the Blades.

Oakville will host game five on Sunday.

Seymour Meets The World

Jarred Seymour will be skating with Australia in the IIHF Division 1 World Championship in Vilnius, Lithuania (April 11-17). Australia will participate in Group A with Lithuania, Croatia, Japan, Kazakhstan, and Slovenia. The winner of the group will be elevated to next year's World Championship in Germany. The team which finishes last in the group will be relegated to Division 2.

It also appears that Jarred will be joining Cornell this fall instead of 2010.

Good luck in Vilnius, Jarred.

Iles Honored By USHR

US Hockey Report named Salisbury's Andy Iles as its Prep Goalie of the Year. USHR cited Andy's strong play during the stretch run of the season and his shutout of Exeter in the prep championship game as factors in its decision. USHR named Phillips Andover's Chris Kreider (Boston College) as its Player of the Year, as well as its Forward of the Year, and Danny Biega (Harvard), also of Salisbury, as its Defenseman of the Year.

Andy also recently played in the Tier 1 U18 National Championship with Mid-Fairfield. Andy, who split time with Alex Vazzano (Union), gave up 2.00 goals per game and saved 93.33 percent of the shots he faced, which was good for 3rd among goalies who played at least 2 games. Mid-Fairfield finished 2-2 in the tournament. Detroit's Little Caesars won the title, 4-3, over the Dallas Stars (whose alumni include past, current, and future Big Red icers David McKee, Locke Jillson, Keir Ross, and Armand de Swardt).

Congratulations, Andy.

Oakville Rebounds

Oakville cut Kingston's series lead to 2-1 with a 5-4 win in overtime on Wednesday. Braden Birch did not play for the Blades.

Game four is in Kingston on Friday.

Oakville's In A Hole

Oakville dropped a 5-4 decision in overtime to Kingston on Saturday in game one of the OJHL Championship. The Blades outshot the Vees, 52-22. On Sunday, the Vees scored three goals in the first fifteen minutes and held on for a 4-3 win, which put the Blades down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. Braden Birch was scoreless in the two games.

Game three is Wednesday at Oakville.

Chicago Finishes With Sweep

Chicago finished its season with a bang, defeating Green Bay, 4-3, on Friday, then posting a 6-4 win over Indiana on Saturday. The Steel finished its season in fifth place in the East Division, one spot out of the playoffs. Armand deSwardt did not play on Friday and was scoreless on Saturday.

Big Red Adds 'Tender Depth

According to Chris Heisenberg, Cornell has added a goalie for 2009 with the commitment of Omar Kanji (5'10", 165), a 1991-born prep player out of Thornhill, Ontario. Omar attends Upper Canada College, where he was the team's MVP last year after posting a 1.65 GAA, with a 93.5 save percentage and 4 shutouts in 20 games. Omar was also an affiliate player with UCC's OJHL team and played four games in the OJ last fall, including a 58-save shutout against Orangeville in his first game in juniors (some highlights below).



The Toronto Star named Omar its athlete of the week in February.

Omar will join former UCC players Colin Greening and Erik Axell on this fall's roster. Welcome to the Big Red, Omar.

Photo: OJHL
Video: YouTube

Blades Slide Into Finals

Oakville surrendered two third period goals in a 5-4 loss on Sunday, which sent its series with Wellington to a seventh game. In game seven, the teams battled to a 0-0 tie after one. In the second period, Oakville got two goals and finally put the finishing touch on a 3-0 win with an empty netter late in the third on Tuesday. Braden Birch was scoreless in the two games.

Oakville will face Kingston in the OJHL championship.

Steel Tumble

Chicago dropped its third straight game when Waterloo scored three unanswered goals in its 5-3 Tuesday tilt. Armand deSwardt was scoreless for the Steel.

Chicago will travel to Green Bay on Friday.

Hurley & Schmicker Chill Out

Two members of the Cornell lacrosse team have decided to turn in their sticks and join the hockey program. Ryan Hurley (left), a 6'3", 185 lb scoring phenom for Jeff Tambroni's laxers was leading the team with 26 goals in 7 games this season. Last season, Ryan was an All-Ivy selection and an honorable mention All-American. Before matriculating at Cornell, Ryan was a co-captain at Academy of Holy Angels and was one of the top scorers in Minnesota. As a junior with the Stars, Ryan was a member of the team that won a state championship.

Tommy Schmicker (right), a 6'4", 225 lb faceoff specialist has decided he also missed the ice too much. Tommy, who played his prep hockey at Deerfield, was a one-time invitee to the USNTDP summer camp and was also once named to the NHL's Central Scouting watch list.

After much discussion with Coach Tambroni, the two players cleaned out their lockers and headed for the skating treadmill at the Bloom Hockey Center to get in a little late season conditioning. The two are eager to spend the summer training with some of the returning Icers. Each player will have one season of eligibility remaining.

Chicago Drops Two

Chicago was swept this weekend, losing to Des Moines, 2-1, on Friday, and dropping a 5-3 decision to Indiana on Saturday. Armand deSwardt was scoreless in each game for the Steel.

Chicago will host Waterloo on Tuesday.

Oakville Takes 3-2 Lead

Oakville moved within a game of advancing to the OJHL finals with a 4-1 win on Friday. Braden Birch was scoreless for the Blades.

Game six is at Wellington on Sunday.

Knisley Makes AGR Team

John Knisley was selected to the All-Greater Rochester first team for the second straight year.

Congratulations, John.

CCL Concludes Season

Charles-Lemoyne dropped games five and six on Tuesday and Thursday and were bounced from the Quebec AAA playoffs by Trois-Rivieres, 4-2. CCL was unable to hold a 6-4 lead in the third period of game five, losing 8-6. On Thursday, it was all Trois-Rivieres in a 4-1 finale. Mathieu Brisson was unable to play in the final two games.

Oakville's Tied After Four

Oakville was unable to hold a 2-0 lead in game three on Tuesday and dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime to Wellington. The Blades drew even in the series with a 4-2 win on Thursday. Braden Birch was scoreless in each game for the Blades.

Game five is at Oakville on Friday.

Nearly Red

USHR reported two commitments today of players who had also considered Cornell.

Colin Markison (5'9", 174), a 1992-born forward with the New Jersey Hitmen (EJHL) selected Vermont over Cornell and Northeastern. Markison capped off his rookie year in the EJ by being selected the MVP of the league championship series. Markison is reportedly a burner who could make the jump to the USHL next year, where his rights are owned by Omaha -- although, according to the Hitmen's website, he is expected back in New Jersey.

The other near miss was Alex Gacek (5'8", 175), a 1993-born forward at Governor's Academy, who committed to Miami (OH) over the Big Red and Maine. Gacek has been invited to the NTDP's camp, which is this week in Ann Arbor.

Steel Drop Saturday's Affair

Chicago lost a 7-4 decision to Waterloo on Saturday. Armand deSwardt was scoreless for the Steel.

Chicago host Des Moines on Tuesday.

Blades Splits With Dukes

Oakville opened its semi-final series with Wellington with a weekend split. The Blades dropped the opener, 4-3, then rebounded with a 4-2 win on Sunday. Braden Birch was scoreless in the opener, but followed up with a goal in game two.

Game three is at Oakville on Tuesday.

Riverains Splits Weekend

Charles-Lemoyne picked up an overtime win in game three, 3-2, before falling in Sunday's rematch, 2-1. Mathieu Brisson picked up an assist on the game-winning goal in game three, then went scoreless on Sunday.

Game five is at Trois Rivieres on Tuesday.

Riverains Open Semis

Charles-Lemoyne split its opening two games against Trois-Rivieres, dropping a 3-2 decision on Tuesday, then winning 2-0 on Wednesday. Mathieu Brisson scored a goal in the loss and went scoreless in the win.

Game three is Friday.

Oakville Survives

Oakville built a 3-0 lead against Gerogetown and held off the Raiders, 3-2, to take the series 4-3 on Wednesday. Braden Birch was scoreless for the Blades.

Oakville hosts Wellington in game one of the OJHL semi-finals on Friday.

Oilers Eliminated

Olds scored 25 seconds after Okotoks cut the Grizzlys' lead to one early in the third stanza and never looked back, defeating the Oilers, 7-1, on Monday. Rodger Craig was scoreless for the Oilers.

Oakville Hopes 7 Is Lucky

Oakville fell three goals behind on Monday and was unable to catch Georgetown, falling 4-3 to the Raiders. Braden Birch was scoreless for the Blades.

The series is now tied 3-3. Game seven is at Georgetown on Wednesday.

Chicago Splits Its Weekend

Chicago fell behind 3-0 in the first period and never recovered as the Steel dropped a 6-3 decision to Omaha on Friday. Chicago bounced back with a 4-3 shootout win over Lincoln on Saturday. Armand deSwardt was scoreless against the Lancers and did not play against the Stars.

Chicago will host Sioux Falls on Friday.

Charles-Lemoyne Moves On

Charles-Lemoyne took a 3-1 lead in the first period and was able to make it hold up for a series-clinching 3-2 win over St-Eustache on Friday. Mathieu Brisson was scoreless but still picked up the game's 3rd-Star.

The Riverains move into the semi-final round against Trois Rivieres on Tuesday.

Oakville Splits Weekend

Oakville pushed its series lead to 3-2 with a split this weekend. The Blades pushed the Raiders within a game of elimination on Friday with a 4-3 win, but then fell 4-1 on Saturday. Braden Birch was scoreless on the weekend.

Oakville hosts game six on Monday.

Okotoks Stays Alive

Okotoks split games four and five with Olds and trails its series 3-2. On Thursday, the Oilers lost a 3-2 decision, then kept the series alive with a 6-2 win on Saturday. Rodger Craig was scoreless in each game.

Game six is Monday at Olds.

Westside Eliminated

Westside fell to Salmon Arm, 5-4, in overtime on Friday to drop its series 4-1. Vince Mihalek was scoreless for the Warriors.

Salmon Arm moves on to the Interior Conference finals against Vernon.

Riverains Tied After Four

Mathieu Brisson scored two goals and added a pair of assists to help Charles-Lemoyne to a 5-2 victory over St-Eustache on Wednesday.

Game five is on Friday.

Oakville Leads 2-1

Oakville broke service at Georgetown on Wednesday, pulling out a 3-2 decision against the Raiders. Braden Birch was scoreless in the win.

Game four is Friday at Oakville.

Okotoks Can't Catch Griz

Okotoks fell behind Olds 3-0 on Wednesday and was never able to pass the Grizzlys, falling 6-5. Rodger Craig was scoreless for the Oilers.

Okotoks trails the series, 2-1, with game four at Olds on Thursday.

Westside On The Brink

Westside finds itself down 3-1 in its series with Salmon Arm after splitting its two game set at home. The Warriors drew within one game with a 3-2 win on Tuesday. Vince Mihalek was scoreless in the win. On Wednesday, however, Salmon Arm moved within a game of clinching the series with a 6-4 victory. Vince scored a goal for the Warriors in game four.

Game five is Friday in Salmon Arm.

Oilers Pull Even

Okotoks scored four unanswered goals in the third period to pull away from Olds, 6-3, on Monday. Rodger Craig was scoreless.

Game three is at Olds on Wednesday.

Oakville Evens Series

Braden Birch assisted on the Blades' first goal to help Oakville to a 2-0 win on Monday.

Game three is Wednesday at Georgetown.

Riverains Down 2-1

Charles-Lemoyne scored first on Mathieu Brisson's goal but couldn't make the lead hold up, falling 2-1 to St-Eustache on Monday.

Game four will be hosted by St-Eustache on Wednesday.

Salisbury Claims Championship

Salisbury needed a hectic finish in its semi-final game against Andover to move into the championship, scoring the final three goals to escape with a 4-3 win on Saturday. In Sunday's final, the Scarlet Knights pitched a shutout against Exeter, 4-0, to win the New England D1 title.

Blades Down One

Oakville opened its divisional final against Georgetown with a 6-3 loss on Saturday. Braden Birch scored a goal for the Blades.

Oakville hosts game two on Monday.

Charles-Lemoyne Even

College Charles-Lemoyne split its opening games with St-Eustache, winning 6-5 on Friday and then losing 3-1 on Sunday. Mathieu Brisson was named the game's 1st-Star in Friday's victory after he scored two goals, including the game-winner in double-overtime, and added two assists. In game two, Mathieu picked up another helper.

Game three is Monday.

Chicago Swept Away By Force

Chicago couldn't get untracked against Fargo this past weekend, falling by the scores of 8-1 and 3-1. Armand deSwardt was scoreless.

The Steel host Omaha on Friday.

Oilers Slip In Opener

Okotoks dropped game one of its divisional semi-final match up with Olds, 5-2 on Sunday. Rodger Craig was scoreless against the Grizzlys.

Game two is Monday in Okotoks.

Westside Stumbles

Westside finds itself in a 2-0 hole after opening its conference semi-final series against Salmon Arm last weekend. The Warriors dropped a 6-3 game on Friday, then a 4-2 decision on Saturday. Vince Mihalek was scoreless in the set.

Westside will host game three on Tuesday.

Knisley Picks Up Honor

John Knisley has been named the Co-Player of the Year in Section V's East Division. John shares the honor with Fairport's Cole Bardreau. John and Cole are also teammates on the nationally-ranked Rochester Alliance Midget team.

Congratulations, John and Cole.

Salisbury Moves On

Salisbury defeated Berkshire, 8-1, on Wednesday to advance into the semis to be played on Saturday. Andy Iles stopped 32 shots for the win.

Salisbury will face Andover in Salem, New Hampshire.

Charles-Lemoyne Advances

College Charles-Lemoyne fell to Lac St-Louis, 4-2, on Sunday to tie up its series at 2 games each. Mathieu Brisson was scoreless. On Tuesday, the Riverains moved on with a 4-1 victory. Mathieu chipped in with a helper on the game-winning goal.

CCL begins its next series on Friday against St-Eustache.

Okotoks Sweep Round One

Okotoks has moved into round two in the AJHL with a sweep of Canmore. The Oilers breezed to a 5-0 win on Sunday, then put the series away with a 6-5 victory on Tuesday. Rodger Craig was scoreless in game two, then pitched in with an assist on the game-winning goal on Tuesday.

Westside Sweeps Trail

Westside advanced to the Interior Conference semis with a 4-3 overtime win on Monday. Vince Mihalek was scoreless.

Westside travels to Salmon Arm on Friday for game one.

Salisbury Finishes Regular Season

Salisbury concluded regular season play with a 5-2 win over Canterbury on Saturday. Andy Iles finished with 25 saves to pick up the win.

Salisbury plays Berkshire in D1 quaterfinal play on Wednesday.

Steel Split Weekend

Chicago picked up a 3-2 shootout victory over Cedar Rapids on Friday. The Steel, however, weren't able to close the weekend sweep, falling to Lincoln, 5-2, on Saturday. Armand deSwardt was scoreless in the two games.

Chicago visits Fargo on Friday.

Riverains Take Lead

Charles-Lemoyne took a 2-1 lead in its series with Lac St-Louis, skating to a 6-0 win on Saturday. Mathieu Brisson scored a goal and added a helper, and was named the game's 3rd-Star.

Game four in at Lac St-Louis on Sunday.

Oakville Wins In Five

Oakville scored the game's final four goals to defeat Burlington, 5-2, on Friday. Braden Birch picked up an assist for the Blades.

Oakville will face Georgetown in the Divisional Finals.

Okotoks Open With Win

Okotoks opens its AJHL playoff series with Canmore with a 3-1 victory on Saturday. Rodger Craig was scoreless in his return from an injury layoff.

Game two is Sunday at Okotoks.

Westside Wins Two

Westside opened its BCHL playoff series against Trail with wins on Friday and Saturday. The Warriors breezed to a 5-1 win to open the series, then pulled out a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday. Vince Mihalek went scoreless in the two games.

Game three is Monday at Trail.

Last Poll Results

March is here...ah, the arrival of daylight savings, hockey playoffs, and even that thing we call spring.

Our last poll asked "What would you like to see recruited most?"

The results were as follows:

39% -- Expert finisher

18% -- More twins

12% -- Breakout defenseman

12% -- Skating hulk

7% -- Crease magician

6% -- Speed demon

4% -- Grinder extraordinaire

2% -- Forechecking dervish


Thank you, once again, for voting & please remember to vote in this month's Puckhead Poll.

Riverains Draw Even

Charles-Lemoyne scored the game's first four goals en route to a 6-2 win over Lac St-Louis on Thursday. Mathieu Brisson pitched in with two helpers.

Game three is Friday at Lac St-Louis.