The Morrisville State College men’s ice hockey team will open the 2016-17 season Friday on the road at Stevenson University, and look forward to the challenge that lies ahead for the upcoming year.
Fourth year head coach Kevin Krogol returns 17 to the ice from last year’s team that put up a disappointing 5-17-2 overall record, but sees promise as the Mustangs added 11 newcomers that according to Krogol, “are a talented group with a number of guys who can contribute in all situations, complementing our returning core.”
Morrisville State returns two of their leading scorers from a year ago in seniors Jordan Carvalho (Brampton, Ont.) and Joseph Santino (Woodbridge, Ont.) who combined for 29 points on 10 goals and 19 assists; and will look to leadership from senior defenders Joe Ftoma (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Dario Trupina (Virserum, Sweden) to charge the back line.
The Mustangs return two between the pipes this season, including sophomore CJ Sharp (Markham, Ont.) who averaged a .871 save percentage last year.
Krogol has added skill and depth up front with the addition of Mason Corliss (Katy, Tx.), Nick DeVito (Averill Park), Ryan Bochert (Denver, Colo.), Jon Kasper (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Ricky Eberhart (Lockport); as well on the defensive lines in Dane Moore (Cadillac, Mich.), Henry Hearon (Chicago, Ill.) and Chris Pearson (Ottawa, Ont.).
Jared Young (Pueblo West, Colo.) and Sal Stalteri (Woodbridge, Ont.) round out the goaltending lineup with sophomore Ryan McMann (Hamilton) in 2016.
Morrisville State opens 2016 with a Friday night battle with Stevenson University, who step on the ice for the first time as a Division III competitor. The non-conference slate will prep the Mustangs for their State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) opening weekend with a home/away split with SUNY Potsdam Nov. 4 and 5.
“We will certainly have a challenge in front of us,” Krogol stated. “Essentially we will continue to compete and work toward a championship in the strongest conference in Division III hockey, a challenge that we gladly welcome.”
Nov. 11 and 12, the Mustangs will face-off against Brockport, a team that just a year ago Morrisville State earned the split with.
After a double with Fredonia Nov. 18 and 19, Morrisville State will host University of Massachusetts – Boston in a non-league contest before rolling into December with a two game slate against Oswego State on the 2nd and 3rd.
Morrisville State will host Utica College on the 9th before hitting the road to SUNY Canton the following night. They wrap up the first semester at Utica College on the 17th for the Pioneers Annual Teddy Bear Toss.
The Mustangs resume action Jan. 7 on the road at Johnson and Wales and will have bouts with Canton on the 10th and Neumann on the 13th before resuming conference play with SUNY Plattsburgh on the 20th and 21st.
SUNYAC favored SUNY Geneseo rolls into town on the 27th for a two game slate with the Mustangs after earning the top spot in the preseason poll for the conference and a preseason D3hockey.com #5 ranking. Morrisville State tied the Knights in on overtime battle last season before falling the following night by a one goal differential.
February will bring doubles with Buffalo State and Cortland, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the SUNYAC post-season tournament.
“We have not been a postseason team the past few years,” Krogol said. “It’s our mission this year to give our guys, especially our senior class, the experience of being a playoff team.”