Holy_Cross_Crusaders_men's_ice_hockey
Holy Cross Crusaders men's ice hockey
College ice hockey team
The Holy Cross Crusaders men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the College of the Holy Cross. The Crusaders are a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA). They play at the Hart Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.[2]
| Holy Cross Crusaders men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
| University | College of the Holy Cross |
| Conference | AHA NCAA Division I Division |
| Head coach | Bill Riga 4th season, 50–58–9 (.466) |
| Assistant coaches |
|
| Arena | Hart Center Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Colors | Royal purple[1] |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 2004, 2006 | |
| Conference Tournament championships | |
| 1999, 2004, 2006 | |
| Conference regular season championships | |
| 2003–04, 2005-06 | |
| Current uniform | |
Holy Cross men's ice hockey began in 1966 and a year later it joined ECAC 2. The Crusaders played in the second tier of college ice hockey for ten years before they played their first playoff game, but once they made it they didn't go very far. Over a six year period Holy Cross wen 2–5 in the conference postseason and never really got close to an NCAA tournament berth. When Division II ice hockey was abandoned in 1984 Holy Cross dropped down to Division III and was placed in ECAC East when ECAC 2 split. They made the ECAC tournament three out of four years under Peter Van Buskirk but couldn't manage a win. The team went through a down period under Bill Bellerose for six seasons but started winning again when Paul Pearl became head coach in 1994. After recording their best season in fifteen years Holy Cross promoted its program to Division I and joined the MAAC in 1998–99.[3]
In their first year of D–I play Holy Cross won its first Conference Tournament, winning the inaugural MAAC Championship. Unfortunately, because the NCAA did not offer the MAAC an automatic bid at that time the Crusaders did not make the NCAA tournament. The next season Holy Cross dropped to seventh in the conference and lost 24 games over the course of the season (a program worst). After missing out on the conference tournament the next season Holy Cross returned to the playoffs for the final two years of the MAAC's existence before joining with all former MAAC programs in founding Atlantic Hockey.
Similar to their start with the MAAC, Holy Cross produced a great season, winning 22 games, and were able to win their first conference title. They then swept through the Atlantic Hockey playoffs and captured their second tournament championship, though this time they received a berth into the NCAA tournament for the first time. Though their national championship experience was brief the Crusaders continued to play well and returned to the Championship in 2006 after winning both conference crowns. The met #2 overall seeded Minnesota in the first round and pushed the heavily favored Golden Gophers into overtime where Tyler McGregor scored 53 seconds in, winning what is usually noted as the biggest upset in tournament history.[4]
Holy Cross would decline after their miraculous 2006 season, posting losing records for four consecutive years, but the program began to recover in the second decade of the 20th century. Paul Pearl resigned in 2014 and was replaced by David Berard who saw middling regular season results.
In the 2022-2023 regular season Holy Cross won their first Atlantic Hockey playoff round since the 2006 season against American International College. They would later upset Rochester Institute of Technology in the semifinals of the tournament but lose in the championship to Canisius.[5]
Season-by-season results
Source:[6]
NCAA tournament results
The Crusaders have appeared in the NCAA tournament two times. Their combined record is 1–2.
As of completion of 2023–24 season
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–Present | Bill Riga | 3 | 50–58–9 | .466 |
| 2014–2021 | David Berard | 7 | 84–116–34 | .432 |
| 1994–1996, 1997–2014 | Paul Pearl | 19 | 297–293–69 | .503 |
| 1988–1994 | Bill Bellerose | 6 | 61–99–3 | .383 |
| 1979–1988, 1996–1997 | Peter Van Buskirk | 10 | 167–146–8 | .533 |
| 1976–1979 | Mike Addesa | 3 | 49–31–1 | .611 |
| 1966–1976 | Bill Kane | 10 | 122–104–2 | .539 |
| Totals | 7 coaches | 58 seasons | 830–847–126 | .495 |
NCAA
Individual Awards
|
Division I All-Americans
AHCA Second Team All-Americans
- 2023–24: Liam McLinskey, F
MAAC
Individual awards
|
|
|
|
Tournament Most Valuable Player
- Mike Maguire, D: 1999
All-Conference teams
- 1998–99: Scott Simpson, G; Chris Fattey, F
- 2001–02: Patrick Rissmiller, F
- 2002–03: Brandon Doria, F
- 1998–99: Mike Maguire, D
- 1999–00: Jim Whelan, D
- 2001–02: R. J. Irving, D; Brandon Doria, F
- 1998–99: Patrick Rissmiller, F
- 2000–01: R. J. Irving, D; Greg Kealey, F
- 2002–03: Tyler McGregor, F
Atlantic Hockey
Individual awards
|
|
|
Individual Sportsmanship Award
|
|
Regular Season Goaltending Award
|
|
Most Valuable Player in Tournament
|
All-Conference teams
First Team All-Atlantic Hockey
- 2003–04: Jeff Dams, F
- 2004–05: Tyler McGregor, F
- 2005–06: Jon Landry, D; Tyler McGregor, F
- 2006–07: Jon Landry, D; James Sixsmith, F
- 2014–15: Matt Ginn, G
- 2017–18: Paul Berrafato, G
- 2023–24: Liam McLinskey, F
Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey
- 2003–04: Tony Quesada, G
- 2004–05: Pierre Napert-Frenette, F
- 2005–06: Tony Quesada, G; Pierre Napert-Frenette, F
- 2011–12: Adam Schmidt, F
- 2020–21: Matt Slick, D
- 2022–23: Jack Ricketts, F
- 2023–24: Jason Grande, G; Jack Ricketts, F
Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey
- 2007–08: Matt Burke, D; Brodie Sheahan, F
- 2016–17: Spencer Trapp, D; Danny Lopez, F
- 2021–22: Ryan Leibold, F
- 2022–23: Nick Hale, D
Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team
- 2003–04: James Sixsmith, F
- 2007–08: Mark Znutas, D; Everett Sheen, F
- 2010–11: Jeffrey Reppucci, F
- 2011–12: Matt Ginn, G
- 2012–13: Karl Beckman, D
- 2018–19: Matt Slick, D; Anthony Vincent, F
- 2022–23: Mack Oliphant, D
- 2023–24: Jack Stockfish, F
Source:[7]
Career points leaders
| Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Lunny | 1982–1986 | 103 | 116 | 219 | ||
| Jerry DeLeo | 1982–1986 | 101 | 117 | 218 | ||
| Larry Murphy | 1966–1970 | 119 | 88 | 207 | ||
| Matt Muniz | 1982–1986 | 87 | 120 | 207 | ||
| Glenn Graves | 1973–1977 | 75 | 122 | 197 | ||
| Gerry Curley | 1977–1981 | 93 | 98 | 191 | ||
| Bill Butler | 1966–1969 | 91 | 89 | 180 | ||
| Bill Bellerose | 1973–1977 | 71 | 81 | 152 | ||
| James Sixsmith | 2003–2007 | 142 | 48 | 104 | 152 | |
| John Powell | 1977–1981 | 147 |
Career goaltending leaders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Minimum 30 games
| Player | Years | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Grande | 2022–2024 | 42 | 2413 | 25 | 13 | 3 | 87 | 2 | .920 | 2.16 |
| Tony Quesada | 2002–2006 | 105 | 6034 | 61 | 33 | 8 | 251 | 7 | .915 | 2.50 |
| Paul Berrafato | 2014–2018 | 114 | 6677 | 46 | 47 | 19 | 281 | 11 | .911 | 2.51 |
| Matt Ginn | 2011–2015 | 129 | 7759 | 59 | 55 | 13 | 324 | 8 | .917 | 2.51 |
| Scott Simpson | 1995–1999 | 38 | 1960 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 82 | 2 | .903 | 2.51 |
Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.
The following is a list of people associated with the Holy Cross men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses).[8]
- Larry Murphy (1981)
- Gerry Curley (1996)
- Jim Stewart (1998)
- Joe Lunny (1999)
- Glenn Graves (2000)
- Bill Bellerose (2002)
- Dean Casagrande (2002)
- Matt Muniz (2005)
- Patrick Rissmiller (2010)
- Tyler McGregor (2013)
- Tony Quesada (2014)
- James Sixsmith (2017)
- Terrence Butt (2018)
As of September 14, 2023.[9]
| No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Louden Hogg | Sophomore | G | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | 2002-10-18 | Cheyenne, Wyoming | Fargo (USHL) | — |
| 2 |  |
Jack Robilotti (A) | Senior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2001-07-18 | New York, New York | Fargo (USHL) | — |
| 3 |  |
Brody Gagno | Freshman | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2002-07-29 | South Surrey, British Columbia | Surrey (BCHL) | — |
| 4 |  |
Jake Higgins (A) | Senior | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2001-06-09 | Hingham, Massachusetts | Deerfield (USHS–MA) | — |
| 5 |  |
Will Troutwine | Freshman | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 2002-06-23 | Eveleth, Minnesota | Janesville (NAHL) | — |
| 8 | |
Charlie Spence | Sophomore | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-03-18 | Medfield, Massachusetts | Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC) | — |
| 10 | |
Liam McLinskey | Junior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2001-02-20 | Pearl River, New York | Quinnipiac (ECAC) | — |
| 12 |  |
Matt Guerra | Senior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1999-05-21 | Orlando, Florida | Robert Morris (AHA) | — |
| 13 | |
Will Elias | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2003-01-28 | Weston, Massachusetts | Cowichan Valley (BCHL) | — |
| 14 |  |
Matt Shatsky | Junior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2001-04-29 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Sherwood Park (AJHL) | — |
| 15 |  |
Jack Ricketts (C) | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1999-09-08 | Oakville, Ontario | Oakville (OJHL) | — |
| 17 |  |
Matt DeBoer | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-09-02 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Green Bay (USHL) | — |
| 18 | |
Ty Gagno | Freshman | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-10-01 | Langley, British Columbia | Prince George (BCHL) | — |
| 19 | |
Jack Stockfish | Freshman | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 2002-09-30 | North Bay, Ontario | Prince George (BCHL) | — |
| 20 |  |
Devin Phillips | Sophomore | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2001-07-12 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Brooks (AJHL) | — |
| 21 | |
Alec Cicero | Senior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2001-03-09 | Williamsville, New York | Buffalo (OJHL) | — |
| 22 | |
Lucas Thorne | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-03-05 | Dunnville, Ontario | Bonnyville (AJHL) | — |
| 24 |  |
John Gelatt | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2001-04-29 | Middletown, New Jersey | Johnstown (NAHL) | — |
| 27 |  |
Mack Oliphant | Sophomore | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2002-12-28 | Northbrook, Illinois | Johnstown (NAHL) | — |
| 28 |  |
Jack Seymour | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | 2001-04-06 | Chelsea, Quebec | Chilliwack (BCHL) | — |
| 29 |  |
Conner Welsh | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2004-01-02 | Greenwich, Connecticut | Vernon (BCHL) | — |
| 30 |  |
Jason Grande | Sophomore | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1999-02-07 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Bentley (AHA) | — |
| 33 | |
Thomas Gale | Junior | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2000-06-10 | Kirkland, Quebec | P. A. L. (NCDC) | — |
| 34 | |
Joe Solimine | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2002-03-03 | Middleton, Massachusetts | Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC) | — |
| 37 | |
Nic Petruolo | Junior (RS) | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2000-01-29 | Neshanic Station, New Jersey | Union (ECAC) | — |
| 39 | |
Tyler Ghirardosi (A) | Senior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-10-01 | Montrose, British Columbia | Quinnipiac (ECAC) | — |
| 40 |  |
Michael Hodge | Junior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 157 lb (71 kg) | 2000-05-30 | Calgary, Alberta | Union (ECAC) | — |
As of July 1, 2023.
Source:[10] References
External links |
