2017-18 Mid Season Recap
The 2017-18 hockey season here at Adrian College is now half over as the first semester comes to a close. The largest hockey program in the country has definitely been busy since the first puck dropped back in September, here's how all 7 of our Bulldog teams are doing.
Men's Varsity
The Men's NCAA team currently sits at the top of the NCHA South standings with a 6-1 league record and 8-1 record overall so far this semester. The Bulldogs' only loss came at the hands of #1 ranked St. Norbert College in overtime on the road and the Bulldogs have won five straight games, all against league opponents.
The Bulldogs opened their season with an exhibition game against the US U18 team back in October, falling to Team USA 4-2. The Bulldogs took on Team USA once again the night before Thanksgiving on the road in Plymouth. The Bulldogs looked to have the game in the bag that night as Trevor Boyd scored what fans thought would be the game winning goal in the third, but the goal was later called off and the game would go to overtime where USA would score to end the game.
The Bulldogs brought in three freshmen and two transfers this season. Nikita Babintsev (Moskva, Russia), a goaltender from the Amarilla Bulls of the NAHL, Dean Hewines (Troy, Michigan) a defenseman from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL and Joshua Owings (Saline, Michigan), a defenseman from the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL represent the Bulldogs Class of 2021 and have all made their mark in their first few games as Bulldogs so far this season. Ryan Cusin (Westland, Michigan) a forward and sophomore transfer from University of Massachusetts at Boston and Nick Erb (London, Ontario) a forward and junior transfer from University of Concordia at Wisconsin round out the 2017-18 Rookie Class and have also made their mark with the team so far this semester.
Players Making An Impact:
Taylor McCloy: McCloy is having a career season so far in his final year as a Bulldog. Coming in second in points behind classmate Kyle Brothers with 15 points and first in goals with 9, it's fantastic to see the senior forward having a great start to his final season. I've said this since his sophomore year, but McCloy is one of the most fun players to watch for the Bulldogs. There's no doubt in my mind that McCloy is one of the hardest working players on the ice who now sees time as the top penalty kill and powerplay unit for the Bulldogs. McCloy ended the season scoring big goals for the Bulldogs and has picked up where he left off last year and more so far this season.
Braden Hellems: Hellems is also having a breakout year for the Bulldogs in his junior campaign. After flying under the radar and only appearing in 6 games his freshman year and 14 his sophomore year, Hellems has suited up for 8 of the Bulldogs' 9 games and been a great addition to Cory Dunn for the top D pairing with Blake Butzow out of the lineup for the past few weeks. Hellems is a strong skater with a fantastic shot and the ability to create offensive plays and knows when to jump into the offensive action down low.
Women's Varsity
After losing the core of their team last year, the Bulldogs are holding steady at the #4 place in the USCHO and D3Hockey.com rankings for the past few weeks after starting the season at #2. The Bulldogs have only dropped two games so far this season in overtime, one of them being a 1-0 decision against the reigning National Champions Plattsburgh, but have since won three straight games.
The Bulldogs, led by senior captain Kristi Zink, are also keeping up with their high scoring ways from the year prior, averaging nearly 6 goals a game and only allowing an average of .75 goals per game.
The Bulldogs added 11 freshmen, forwards Sydney Daversa (Southgate, Michigan/Southgate Anderson), Abbie Grias (Woodhaven, Michigan/Belle Tire), Mackenzie Kamm (Northville, Michigan/Honeybaked), Erika McDonald (Hastings, Minnesota/Hastings), Neysa Miller (Williamson, Michigan/Lansing Spartans), Brooke Schembri (Canton, Michigan/Belle Tire) and Savannah Veri (Northville, Michigan/Honeybaked), lone defenseman Freya Holferty (Marquette, Michigan/Northern Cylcones) and goaltenders Gina Granata (Sewlicky, Pennsylvania/Steel City Selects), Mia Glassco (Bentleyville, Ohio/North American Hockey Academy) and Mary-Kate Turner (Houston, Texas/Boston Shamrocks) all make up the Women's NCAA Class of 2021. Tory Harshman (Owen Sound, Ontario), a sophomore transfer from Robert Morris PA and Jacqueline White (Royal Oak, Michigan), a junior transfer from Oswego State, make up the last two additions to the Bulldogs rookie class.
Players Making an Impact:
Kate Turner: Kate Turner had some big shoes to fill coming into her rookie season at Adrian College after the departure of starting goaltenders Brooke Gibson and Jade Walsh who both backstopped the Bulldogs to historic seasons in the last four years. She has filled those shoes well as she has played 610:26 in net for a 7-1-1 record, a .959 SV% and a .70 GAA. Turner has filled the role of starting goaltender for the Bulldogs and has not disappointed.
Kelly O'Sullivan: O'Sullivan is nowhere near having a sophomore slump in her second campaign with the Bulldogs, topping the list of leading point getters on the Bulldogs in the first half of the season so far. O'Sullivan has sent home 7 goals and nabbed 10 assists in 12 games for the Bulldogs and has proven to be a top defensemen once again for the Bulldogs in her second year here.
MD1
The Men's D1 team is the #1 team in the country for the first time since 2012.
Thanks to a 17-1 start to the season and marginal victories over top-10 opponents Michigan-Dearborn and Davenport and a huge bounceback win over Stony Brook, who handed the Bulldogs their only loss of the season, all contributed to the MD1 team's very much well deserved #1 spot in the polls. The Bulldogs slipped down to #2 in the polls in the final week of the semester after sweeping the Oakland Grizzlies but spent two weeks at #1.
The Bulldogs have been more than a force to be reckoned with this season
The senior class has stepped up this season with 3 of 6 seniors being named captains at the start of the season. Senior defenseman Archie McKinnon wears the C for the Bulldogs this year while his fellow classmates Justin Fisher and Brad Kobryn were named assistant captains along with sophomore JP Grineau.
The Bulldogs added 8 freshmen and one sophomore transfer to the roster this season after losing a sizable class last season. Chris Donaldson (Walled Lake, Mich./Odessa Jackalopes NAHL), Mike Finger (Shawinigan, Quebec/Brantford 99ers GOJHL), Austin Kuhn (Slave Lake, Alberta/English River Miners SIJHL), Kyle Perkowski (Riverview, Michigan/New Jersey Titans NAHL) all make up the freshmen forwards while Austin Azzinaro (Spokane Valley, Washington/Missoula Bruins NA3HL), Jordan Oshowy (Woodbridge, Ontario/Cambridge Winterhawks GOJHL) and Dan Stone (Calgary, Alberta/Osoyoos Coyotes KIJHL) make up the defensemen freshman class while Andrew Wagner (East Lansing, Michigan/Lacrosse Freeze NAHL) is the lone newcomer in net.
Players Making an Impact:
Brad Kobryn, Mike Finger and Joe Costello: I’ve said a thousand times before, you really can’t have a “Players to Watch” or list of impactful players on the MD1 team and now include senior powerhouse Brad Kobryn. His latest record broken is the MD1 All Time Career Points record of 196 points, which he tied during a home game against the Kent State Golden Flashes and then notching point 197 on the road against the Golden Flashes. Now sitting at 224 career points Kobryn is 6 points away from sharing the title of the highest point getter in the history of the Adrian College Hockey Program (230 points is the current record held by Men’s NCAA powerhouse Shawn Skelly).
With longtime linemate Chris Derochie graduating this past season, there was question as to who would join Kobryn on the Bulldogs’ first line of forwards. Freshman Mike Finger and sophomore transfer Joe Costello have been more than perfect on the line with Kobryn. The three forwards have combine for over 50 points in their first 18 contests in the first semester and the results are absolutely amazing. The chemistry between the three players is undeniable and will be an absolute blast to watch for the rest of the season.
WACHA
Lead by the 2017 ACHA Women's D1 Coach of the Year, Brett Berger, WACHA is currently sitting at the #2 position in the weekly WD1 National Rankings after only dropping a single game to #1 ranked Liberty University.
With a large amount of returners, WACHA appears to be picking up right where they left off last season and have a very likely chance of winning their second consecutive CCWHA Regular Season title this February.
With former captain Paige Fuoco graduating last spring, WACHA named three new captains for the 2017-18 season. Nicole Paradis and Kaillie Hardy are wearing the C for WACHA in their junior season while senior Alison Dungey wears the A between the pipes for the Bulldogs.
WACHA added a smaller class this season after only graduating 5 seniors and losing one freshman.
Kelly-Rae Zdan (Alonsa, Manitoba/Pembina Valley Hawks), Danica Polson (Ponoka, Alberta/Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs) and Olivia Pollari (Eacho Bay, Ontario/Barrie Sharks) make up the three freshmen forwards for WACHA while Brooklynn Moore (Canyon Country, California/Barrie Sharks) is the lone rookie defenseman for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs also added junior forward Olivia Ziemba (Macomb, Michigan/Honeybaked) from the Women's NCAA team to their roster this season.
Players Making an Impact:
Kaillie Hardy: Hardy is now wearing the C for the Bulldogs in her third year with WACHA. She has proven once again this season that she is one of the top, if not the top player that the Bulldogs have on their roster. In the final weekend of the first semester, Hardy became the first WACHA player to reach the 100 point milestone. Hardy is currently the program's leading point getter in their five season history.
Nicole Paradis: Hardy's longtime lineman and classmate Nicole Paradis is also making waves for the Bulldogs this season. Leading the team in points, Paradis' hands and ability to score and make plays make her the perfect lineman for powerhouse Kaillie Hardy. Paradis also joined the 100 point club in the final weekend series of the first semester, becoming the second WACHA player to do so. Paradis is currently the second highest point getter for WACHA in their program history.
MD2
The MD2 team currently sits at #11 in the MD2 Regional Ranking at the end of the semester with a 6-4-1 record.
Leading the way behind the bench for the Bulldogs is first year coach Aaron Bain. Bain comes to Adrian College after coaching high school hockey as well as coaching D3 at Colorado State University where he was awarded the D3 Coach of the Year in 2015.
The MD2 team is primarily made up of freshmen this season. The freshman forwards include Alex Side (Briancon, France/Seguin Huskies GMHL), Dalton Anderson (Haveloch, Ontario/New Tecumseth Civics GMHL), Frank Barabas (South Lyon, Michigan/Detroit Fighting Irish USPHL), Garrett Hodgeson (London, Ontario/Butte Cobras WSHL), Hayden Winch (Plymouth, Michigan/Metro Jets NA3HL), Justin Session (Detroit, Michigan/Motor City Hawks USPHL), Mitch Porter (Aubrey, Texas/South Shore Kings USPHL), Nick Mooney (Taylor, Michigan/Wooster Oilers NA3HL) and Ondra Tomek (Praha, Czech Republic/Kingsville Kings GMHL). Freshmen defensemen include Ben Hamilton (Toledo, Ohio/Toledo Cherokee (NA3HL), Stefan Boskovic (Vrcin, Serbia/Metro Jets NA3HL), Brett Siewertsen (Grand Rapids, Michigan/West Michigan Wolves NA3HL), Grant Kiepper (Novi, Michigan/Cincinnati Thunder NA3HL), Nick Shuman (Orangeville, Ontario/French River Rapids NOJHL), Nick Stanko (Howell, Michigan/Wooster Oilers NA3HL) and Zach McDonough (Nesconset, New York/Kingsville Kings GMHL).
Players Making an Impact:
Jack Clary: Clary is one of three seniors on the MD2 team this season and an assistant captain on the young team. Clary has put up 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points on the season and is third in goals for the Bulldogs this season. Clary is consistent and a hard working player for the MD2 team and gives the young team a veteran voice in his senior season.
Phil Grippi: Grippi is a solid and consistent defenseman for the MD2 team. A sophomore hailing from Edwardsville, Illinois, Grippi has been solid for the entire time he has played for the Bulldogs in the last season and a half. Grippi is consistent, a dependable pointman for the Bulldogs and a fantastic skater. Grippi is mostly calm, cool and collected as well, but can shove people around if he needs to.
WD2
The WD2 team is the newest team to be added to the Adrian College Hockey program. Since winning their first series in program history the weekend of September 23rd, they have not looked back, winning 10 straight league games and only dropping one game in an exhibition game against Sault College in Canada.
The Bulldogs are ranked #1 in the West Region for both ranking periods this season, ranked over the reigning National Champions, Lakehead University. The WD2 team also sits at the top of the CCWHA and is 9 points ahead of the second place team, Northern Michigan University, whom they swept in the final series of the semester.
The team is made up of 14 freshmen and 2 sophomores. Freshmen forwards include, Cristina Rotundo (Livonia, Michigan/Ladywood High School), Elizabeth Anderson (Holland, Ohio/Southview High School), Emily Letke (Ann Arbor, Michigan/Ann Arbor Skyron), Erika Gilbert (Guelph, Ontario/KW Rangers PWHL), Hannah Chase (Calgary, Alberta/Edge Academy), Kenzie Heisner (Carol Stream, Illinois/Admirals Hockey Club), Katie Hayward (Livonia, Michigan/Ladywood High School) and Maria Granger (Powell, Ohio/Columbus Blue Jackets AAA). Defensemen, Hailie Bigman (San Ramon, California/San Jose Lady Sharks), Summer Patterson (Lafayette, Colorado/Lady Roughriders), Elle Van Antwerp (Traverse City, Michigan/Traverse City Stars) and Cece Werner (Dearborn, Michigan/Ladywood High School),
Players Making an Impact:
Hannah Chase: WD2 captain Hannah Chase is one of the most consistent players for the WD2 team. A crucial member of both the powrplay and penalty kill units for the Bulldogs, Chase is second in points for the Bulldogs with 14 and tied for first in assists with 7. Chase is a consistent and reliable player on the ice that leads the Bulldogs by example both on and off of the ice.
Katie Hayward: One of three players coming from Ladywood High School here in Michigan, Hayward is the WD2 team's clutch player, scoring big goals exactly when they are needed. Hayward scored the first goal in program history along with the program's first hat trick and first game winning goal as well. Hayward is quick on her feet, has a great ability to make plays as well as score goals and make moves to deke out goaltenders across the ACHA.
MD3
Coached by Max Gavin, the MD3 team is currently sitting at the the #5 spot in the North Region after the first semester with a 10-4-0 record on the season.
With a different team this season than the season prior, Coach Gavin has lead his team to an impressive record halfway through the season with big wins over Saginaw Valley State University and University of Tampa and a split with Indiana Tech.
The MD3 team's roster includes 9 freshmen, Ben Perone, Cameron Mercer, Henry Gabriel, Jacob Remelius, Josh Miller, Kyle Sukenik, Kyle Trucks, Tedrick Tarvis and Tomas Hornicek, two fifth year seniors, 7 seniors, 6 juniors and 6 sophomores.
Players Making an Impact:
Michael Butler: Sophomore forward and assistant Michael Butler is currently leading the Bulldogs in goals, assists and points this season with 35 points in 14 games. Butler may not be tall or stocky, but he's speedier than any other player on the ice and his hands are smoother than anyone on the team. Butler an score from anywhere on the ice and has the ability to make plays as well, racking up 14 goals and 21 assists.
Henry Gabriel: Freshman forward Henry Gabriel is making waves on the MD3 team in his freshmen season with the Bulldogs. Gabriel currently sits at second in points, goals and assists this season behind Butler. Gabriel plays alongside Butler and 5th year senior Paul Gorksi and the three are the top three in scoring on the D3 team.
With two teams at #1 and two at #2 and all 7 teams ranked in the Top 15 in their respective decisions, Adrian College not only has the largest hockey program in the country, but hands down one of the most all around sucessful hockey programs in the country. Semester #2 of the 2017-18 season should be a good one.