by Ryan Fay
Nick Cruice and Michael Pontarelli scored goals in the third period to lift 10th-ranked Union to a 3-2 win over Dartmouth Wednesday at Messa Rink.
Take another look at their tallies:
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Showing posts with label michael pontarelli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label michael pontarelli. Show all posts
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Pontarelli named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week
by Ryan Fay
Men's hockey freshman Michael Pontarelli was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week on Tuesday.
The forward opened his collegiate career by recording four points in this past weekend's two-game non-conference series against Bowling Green.
In Friday's 3-3 tie, Pontarelli picked up his first two collegiate assists. In Saturday's 5-2 victory, the 19-year-old collected his first two collegiate goals when he scored twice on the power play in the third period to seal the win.
Through two games, the Laval, Quebec native is tied with Kevin Sullivan for the team lead in points with four.
Pontarelli and the #15/16 Dutchmen return to action this weekend for a two-game non-conference home series with Lake Superior State on Oct. 18-19. Both contests are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m faceoff.
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Men's hockey freshman Michael Pontarelli was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week on Tuesday.
The forward opened his collegiate career by recording four points in this past weekend's two-game non-conference series against Bowling Green.
In Friday's 3-3 tie, Pontarelli picked up his first two collegiate assists. In Saturday's 5-2 victory, the 19-year-old collected his first two collegiate goals when he scored twice on the power play in the third period to seal the win.
Through two games, the Laval, Quebec native is tied with Kevin Sullivan for the team lead in points with four.
Pontarelli and the #15/16 Dutchmen return to action this weekend for a two-game non-conference home series with Lake Superior State on Oct. 18-19. Both contests are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m faceoff.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Late addition Pontarelli making an early impact for Dutchmen (with videos)
by Ryan Fay
Michael Pontarelli wasn't supposed to be on this year's team.
The former Cornwall Colts star, who led the Central Canada Hockey League with 107 points last season, was originally scheduled to join the Dutchmen for the 2014-2015 season.
He was only added to this year's roster after Josh Jooris gave up his senior year of eligibility and signed with the Calgary Flames in late July.
At the time, Pontarelli said, "I'm looking forward to jumping in right away and seeing how I stack up against everyone. I'm anxious to see what kind of impact I can bring."
If early indications are anything, the 5-foot-7 forward stacks up just fine and will have a big impact over the next four years.
In Friday's season-opening 3-3 tie against Bowling Green, Pontarelli displayed a slick passing touch and picked up his first two collegiate assists.
On Saturday, Pontarelli scored his first two collegiate goals (both on the power play) to help lift the Dutchmen to their first win of the season, a 5-2 non-conference victory over Bowling Green.
Through two games, the 19-year-old is tied with Kevin Sullivan for the team lead in points with four.
"It's very exciting," Pontarelli said. "Every time you jump a level and get your first points, it's exciting. It's something brand new. But that's just bonus. Getting our first win of the season in that fashion is the most important thing."
Added Union head coach Rick Bennett, "Pontarelli feeds off offense. That's not a big secret if you see his stats coming from juniors. When he's on a roll, he's on a roll."
That roll doesn't look like it will end anytime soon.
INJURY UPDATES
Bennett said junior goaltender Colin Stevens remains "day-to-day" with the upper-body injury he sustained in Friday's game when Bowling Green's Bryce Williamson rammed into him at 6:12 of the first period.
GIVING THEM A GOOD SHOW
With Philadelphia Flyers brass in attendance on Saturday, junior defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere put on a good show. The 20-year-old, who the Flyers drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL draft, picked up three assists.
UP NEXT
Union hosts Lake Superior State for a two-game non-conference series next Friday and Saturday. The Lakers swept Robert Morris over the weekend, winning both games 3-1.
POSTGAME VIDEOS FROM SATURDAY
Pontarelli, later joined by Daniel Ciampini and Gostisbehere
Union head coach Rick Bennett
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Michael Pontarelli wasn't supposed to be on this year's team.
The former Cornwall Colts star, who led the Central Canada Hockey League with 107 points last season, was originally scheduled to join the Dutchmen for the 2014-2015 season.
He was only added to this year's roster after Josh Jooris gave up his senior year of eligibility and signed with the Calgary Flames in late July.
If early indications are anything, the 5-foot-7 forward stacks up just fine and will have a big impact over the next four years.
In Friday's season-opening 3-3 tie against Bowling Green, Pontarelli displayed a slick passing touch and picked up his first two collegiate assists.
On Saturday, Pontarelli scored his first two collegiate goals (both on the power play) to help lift the Dutchmen to their first win of the season, a 5-2 non-conference victory over Bowling Green.
Through two games, the 19-year-old is tied with Kevin Sullivan for the team lead in points with four.
"It's very exciting," Pontarelli said. "Every time you jump a level and get your first points, it's exciting. It's something brand new. But that's just bonus. Getting our first win of the season in that fashion is the most important thing."
Added Union head coach Rick Bennett, "Pontarelli feeds off offense. That's not a big secret if you see his stats coming from juniors. When he's on a roll, he's on a roll."
That roll doesn't look like it will end anytime soon.
INJURY UPDATES
Bennett said junior goaltender Colin Stevens remains "day-to-day" with the upper-body injury he sustained in Friday's game when Bowling Green's Bryce Williamson rammed into him at 6:12 of the first period.
Freshman Eli Lichtenwald, who scored his first collegiate goal on Friday, didn't play on Saturday. Bennett was mum on Lichtenwald's status, but the forward was spotted using crutches as he watched from the bleachers.
CARR RECORD WATCH
Senior forward Daniel Carr scored a power play goal on Saturday, the 58th goal of his Union career. He needs one more goal to tie Mario Valery-Trabucco for the program's Division I-era career goals record. Valery-Trabucco played for Union from 2006-2010.
FRESHMAN FIRSTS
Jeff Taylor recorded his first collegiate point on Saturday. The Clifton Park native and former Albany Academy defenseman assisted on Nick Cruice's second period goal.
Goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos picked up his first collegiate win on Saturday in place of the injured Stevens. He stopped 20-of-22 shots in the winning effort.
CARR RECORD WATCH
Senior forward Daniel Carr scored a power play goal on Saturday, the 58th goal of his Union career. He needs one more goal to tie Mario Valery-Trabucco for the program's Division I-era career goals record. Valery-Trabucco played for Union from 2006-2010.
FRESHMAN FIRSTS
Jeff Taylor recorded his first collegiate point on Saturday. The Clifton Park native and former Albany Academy defenseman assisted on Nick Cruice's second period goal.
Goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos picked up his first collegiate win on Saturday in place of the injured Stevens. He stopped 20-of-22 shots in the winning effort.
GIVING THEM A GOOD SHOW
With Philadelphia Flyers brass in attendance on Saturday, junior defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere put on a good show. The 20-year-old, who the Flyers drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL draft, picked up three assists.
UP NEXT
Union hosts Lake Superior State for a two-game non-conference series next Friday and Saturday. The Lakers swept Robert Morris over the weekend, winning both games 3-1.
POSTGAME VIDEOS FROM SATURDAY
Pontarelli, later joined by Daniel Ciampini and Gostisbehere
Union head coach Rick Bennett
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Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Eyewitness Reports on Pontarelli, Light
by Ryan Fay
It has been a busy last seven days in Union hockey recruiting.
Cornwall Colts forward Michael Pontarelli is joining the Dutchmen this fall, a year earlier than expected, while former Phillips Academy Andover (MA) prep defenseman Connor Light committed for the 2014-2015 season.
Few Dutchmen fans have ever seen either prospect play, so for some additional insight, I went to a couple people who have.
Michael Pontarelli Height: 5'7" | Weight: 183 | DOB: 12/22/93 | Position: F | Shoots: R
2012-2013 Team: Cornwall Colts (CCHL)
2012-2013 Stats: 53 gm, 52 g, 55 a, 107 pts Joining Dutchmen this season
Cornwall Colts assistant coach Dustin Traylen, previously a goaltender at Clarkson from 2002-2005, weighs in on Pontarelli:
"Michael has been an offensive machine over the last few years. He was far and away the best offensive player in the CCHL last season. He is a consistent scorer and that can be attributed to his diligent work on and off the ice. He is a game-changer and a difference maker in almost every game that he is a part of.
Michael is deceptively powerful; he is a baby faced assassin. He is really on strong the puck, which will serve him well in the corners at places like Cornell. He worked very hard on learning to play a solid two-way game last year, which previously had been a knock on him. His improvement is due in large part to Colts head coach Ian MacInnis, who worked tirelessly with him to improve that aspect of his game.
As [junior "A" hockey] player of the year in Canada, and more importantly a two-way contributor on [our] championship team, there is not a whole lot more we could have asked of him at the junior level.
It's never fair to look too far ahead, but if Michael continues to learn and adapt at the rate that he's going, he could be a four year force [at Union]. If the chemistry with his linemates is good early, you can anticipate production early and often."
Connor Light
Height: 6'5" | Weight: 205 | DOB: 2/8/95 | Position: D | Shoots: L
2012-2013 Team: Phillips Academy Andover (MA) (NEPSIHA)
2012-2013 Stats: 25 gm, 6 g, 5 a, 11 pts
2013-2014 Team: Omaha Lancers (USHL) Committed for 2014-2015 season
Phillips Academy Andover (MA) boys varsity hockey head coach Dean Boylan, formerly a defenseman at Yale from 1970-1973, breaks down Light:
"Connor obviously has great size (6'5"/205), but he has an exceptional skill set to complement that size. He has good hands and very good feet for a big man. He can shoot; he scored three goals in one period last year.
He is still learning to make good decisions coming out of the zone. I can say the same thing about any young defenseman that I have coached.
I think Connor can eventually develop into a shut down defenseman who is sent out to play against the other team's top unit. As I said, he also has some very good offensive skills."
RELATED: Hawkesbury coach high on Union recruit Roman Ammirato
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It has been a busy last seven days in Union hockey recruiting.
Cornwall Colts forward Michael Pontarelli is joining the Dutchmen this fall, a year earlier than expected, while former Phillips Academy Andover (MA) prep defenseman Connor Light committed for the 2014-2015 season.
Few Dutchmen fans have ever seen either prospect play, so for some additional insight, I went to a couple people who have.
2012-2013 Team: Cornwall Colts (CCHL)
2012-2013 Stats: 53 gm, 52 g, 55 a, 107 pts
Cornwall Colts assistant coach Dustin Traylen, previously a goaltender at Clarkson from 2002-2005, weighs in on Pontarelli:
 |
| Pontarelli (cred: Pointstreaks) |
Michael is deceptively powerful; he is a baby faced assassin. He is really on strong the puck, which will serve him well in the corners at places like Cornell. He worked very hard on learning to play a solid two-way game last year, which previously had been a knock on him. His improvement is due in large part to Colts head coach Ian MacInnis, who worked tirelessly with him to improve that aspect of his game.
As [junior "A" hockey] player of the year in Canada, and more importantly a two-way contributor on [our] championship team, there is not a whole lot more we could have asked of him at the junior level.
It's never fair to look too far ahead, but if Michael continues to learn and adapt at the rate that he's going, he could be a four year force [at Union]. If the chemistry with his linemates is good early, you can anticipate production early and often."
Height: 6'5" | Weight: 205 | DOB: 2/8/95 | Position: D | Shoots: L
2012-2013 Team: Phillips Academy Andover (MA) (NEPSIHA)
2012-2013 Stats: 25 gm, 6 g, 5 a, 11 pts
2013-2014 Team: Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Phillips Academy Andover (MA) boys varsity hockey head coach Dean Boylan, formerly a defenseman at Yale from 1970-1973, breaks down Light:
"Connor obviously has great size (6'5"/205), but he has an exceptional skill set to complement that size. He has good hands and very good feet for a big man. He can shoot; he scored three goals in one period last year.
 |
| Light (cred: Phillips Academy) |
I think Connor can eventually develop into a shut down defenseman who is sent out to play against the other team's top unit. As I said, he also has some very good offensive skills."
RELATED: Hawkesbury coach high on Union recruit Roman Ammirato
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Friday, August 9, 2013
Dutchmen waste little time calling on Pontarelli
by Ryan Fay
When Josh Jooris gave up his senior year of eligibility and signed with the Calgary Flames on July 30, it wasn't long after that Cornwall Colts star forward Michael Pontarelli received a call from Schenectady.
"The day after Jooris signed with Calgary, I received a call from the [Union] coaching staff asking me if I wanted to come this year," said Pontarelli, who was originally slated to arrive next fall after playing a second season with Cornwall. "I told [Union] that I would absolutely be interested."
"Its been a whirlwind over the last week, trying to get all my stuff to [Union] admissions and the [NCAA] clearinghouse," Pontarelli said.
"They told me they had too many guys already coming in for [this] year, so the plan was for me to stay in Cornwall," Pontarelli remembered. "I think things began to change when I started finding more success [with Cornwall]. Obviously when Jooris signed with Calgary, it opened up a spot on the roster and that changed the plans [as well].
Now that Pontarelli will be joining the Dutchmen this fall, he's just eager to get going.
"I'm looking forward to jumping in right away and seeing how I stack up against everyone," he said. "I'm anxious to see what kind of impact I can bring."
RELATED: Pontarelli joins incoming class
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When Josh Jooris gave up his senior year of eligibility and signed with the Calgary Flames on July 30, it wasn't long after that Cornwall Colts star forward Michael Pontarelli received a call from Schenectady.
"The day after Jooris signed with Calgary, I received a call from the [Union] coaching staff asking me if I wanted to come this year," said Pontarelli, who was originally slated to arrive next fall after playing a second season with Cornwall. "I told [Union] that I would absolutely be interested."
After some paperwork was settled on Thursday, the reigning Central Canada Hockey League (and Canadian Junior Hockey League) Most Valuable Player announced via Twitter that he'll be joining the Dutchmen this season.
 |
| Pontarelli (Cornwall Standard-Freeholder) |
The 5-foot-8, 187-pound Pontarelli, a native of Laval, Quebec, has fond memories from his year in Cornwall.
"What I'll miss about Cornwall is the fact that I got along great with all the guys on the team," he said. "We had great team chemistry, so it was easy to be successful."
Successful they were, capturing the CCHL championship after knocking off defending champion Nepean in six games.
But having a chance to play college hockey now wasn't something Pontarelli could pass up.
"What I'll miss about Cornwall is the fact that I got along great with all the guys on the team," he said. "We had great team chemistry, so it was easy to be successful."
Successful they were, capturing the CCHL championship after knocking off defending champion Nepean in six games.
But having a chance to play college hockey now wasn't something Pontarelli could pass up.
"My goal was always to play college hockey, so if that option was given to me, I was going to take it no matter what," he said. "It's like playing in the AHL and being asked to play in the NHL. It's a no brainer."
Pontarelli, who also received interest from a "majority" of the Ivy League schools and a couple schools out west, could someday be asked to play in the NHL if he continues to produce numbers at the clip he did in Cornwall last year. In 53 games played, he scored a CCHL-high 52 goals and added 55 assists to lead the circuit with 107 points.
"I am a player that loves to contribute offensively," he said. "I think that I am a very smart player and I move pretty well. I love to put the puck in the net, but I also love to distribute the puck around."
Though his offensive capabilities are his calling card, he believes his defensive game is starting to catch up.
"My defensive game has improved a lot," he said. "My plus/minus towards the end of the season was great and in the playoffs I found myself playing more responsibly defensively. I think that I'm more of a complete player than I was at the start of the season."
Though his offensive capabilities are his calling card, he believes his defensive game is starting to catch up.
"My defensive game has improved a lot," he said. "My plus/minus towards the end of the season was great and in the playoffs I found myself playing more responsibly defensively. I think that I'm more of a complete player than I was at the start of the season."
When the forward committed to Union last October, the Dutchmen had already received several commitments for 2013-2014 and didn't expect to need the 19-year-old this season.
Now that Pontarelli will be joining the Dutchmen this fall, he's just eager to get going.
"I'm looking forward to jumping in right away and seeing how I stack up against everyone," he said. "I'm anxious to see what kind of impact I can bring."
RELATED: Pontarelli joins incoming class
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Thursday, August 8, 2013
Pontarelli joins incoming class
by Ryan Fay
Add one more player to list of incoming men's hockey recruits.
Michael Pontarelli, who most recently played for the Central Canada Hockey League's Cornwall Colts, will debut with the Dutchmen this fall. The highly-touted forward was scheduled to arrive for the 2014-2015 campaign, but the door opened to come a year early when Josh Jooris gave up his senior season and signed with the Calgary Flames on July 30.
The 5-foot-8, 187-pound Pontarelli dominated in 53 games with the Colts last season. Despite missing the start of the season with mono, he led the circuit with 52 goals, 14 more than any other player. His 107 points also paced the league while his 55 assists ranked fifth. He was a major weapon on the power-play, finishing third in the league with 17 power-play tallies.
Pontarelli, a native of Laval, Quebec, was a big reason why Cornwall won the CCHL championship, netting 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) in 19 postseason contests.
The forward ended up with more hardware on his shelf than a hardware store, skating away with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Most Valuable Player award, the CJHL Top Forward award, the CCHL MVP, and the CCHL Sportsmanship and Ability Award.
Pontarelli, 19, figures to be a welcome addition to a team that will be looking to replace four 25-plus point scorers. In addition to Jooris, the fourth-leading scorer on last year's team with 28 points, the Dutchmen graduated Wayne Simpson (36 points), Kyle Bodie (33 points), and Greg Coburn (28 points). Simpson and Bodie were Union's top two scorers last year and Coburn was tied for fourth with Jooris.
Pontarelli tweeted his intention to return for a second season with Cornwall earlier this summer after a chance to play with the U.S Hockey League's Muskegon Lumberjacks didn't come together. The Lumberjacks traded up to select Pontarelli in the fifth round of the 2013 USHL draft.
Joining Pontarelli in this season's nine-member freshman class are forward Alex Gonye, defenseman Noah Henry, defenseman Matt Krug, forward Eli Lichtenwald, defenseman Griffyn Martin, goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos, defenseman Jeff Taylor and forward Mike Vecchione.
RELATED: Dutchmen wasted little time calling on Pontarelli
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Add one more player to list of incoming men's hockey recruits.
Michael Pontarelli, who most recently played for the Central Canada Hockey League's Cornwall Colts, will debut with the Dutchmen this fall. The highly-touted forward was scheduled to arrive for the 2014-2015 campaign, but the door opened to come a year early when Josh Jooris gave up his senior season and signed with the Calgary Flames on July 30.
 |
| Pontarelli (icelevel.com) |
Pontarelli, a native of Laval, Quebec, was a big reason why Cornwall won the CCHL championship, netting 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) in 19 postseason contests.
The forward ended up with more hardware on his shelf than a hardware store, skating away with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Most Valuable Player award, the CJHL Top Forward award, the CCHL MVP, and the CCHL Sportsmanship and Ability Award.
Pontarelli, 19, figures to be a welcome addition to a team that will be looking to replace four 25-plus point scorers. In addition to Jooris, the fourth-leading scorer on last year's team with 28 points, the Dutchmen graduated Wayne Simpson (36 points), Kyle Bodie (33 points), and Greg Coburn (28 points). Simpson and Bodie were Union's top two scorers last year and Coburn was tied for fourth with Jooris.
Pontarelli tweeted his intention to return for a second season with Cornwall earlier this summer after a chance to play with the U.S Hockey League's Muskegon Lumberjacks didn't come together. The Lumberjacks traded up to select Pontarelli in the fifth round of the 2013 USHL draft.
Joining Pontarelli in this season's nine-member freshman class are forward Alex Gonye, defenseman Noah Henry, defenseman Matt Krug, forward Eli Lichtenwald, defenseman Griffyn Martin, goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos, defenseman Jeff Taylor and forward Mike Vecchione.
RELATED: Dutchmen wasted little time calling on Pontarelli
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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Ammirato commits to Union
by Ryan Fay
Roman Ammirato, a center for the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Canada Hockey League, announced on Wednesday that he has committed to Union for the 2014-2015 season.
"Off to play D1 Hockey at Union College in 2014-2015," Ammirato tweeted. "Couldn't be any happier!! #Dutchmen #UnrealFeeling."
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Roman Ammirato, a center for the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Canada Hockey League, announced on Wednesday that he has committed to Union for the 2014-2015 season.
"Off to play D1 Hockey at Union College in 2014-2015," Ammirato tweeted. "Couldn't be any happier!! #Dutchmen #UnrealFeeling."
The 20-year-old Williamstown, New Jersey native spent the past two seasons in the Central Canada Hockey League.
He started last season with the Cornwall Colts, where he was a teammate of fellow 2014-2015 Union recruit Michael Pontarelli. Ammirato was traded to the Hawks in early January. Between the two stops, he played in 61 games and finished as the fourth-leading scorer in the CCHL with 83 points (34 goals, 49 assists).
He started last season with the Cornwall Colts, where he was a teammate of fellow 2014-2015 Union recruit Michael Pontarelli. Ammirato was traded to the Hawks in early January. Between the two stops, he played in 61 games and finished as the fourth-leading scorer in the CCHL with 83 points (34 goals, 49 assists).
The 5-foot-8, 157-pound Ammirato piled up 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) in 37 games with the Colts during the 2011-2012 season.
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Sunday, June 16, 2013
Pontarelli staying in Cornwall
by Ryan Fay
Prized 2014 men's hockey recruit Michael Pontarelli announced on Sunday that he will play a second season with Cornwall of the Central Canada Hockey League.
"I've decided to play in Cornwall for one more year," Pontarelli tweeted. "Time to start getting ready for our season as defending champs."
Prized 2014 men's hockey recruit Michael Pontarelli announced on Sunday that he will play a second season with Cornwall of the Central Canada Hockey League.
"I've decided to play in Cornwall for one more year," Pontarelli tweeted. "Time to start getting ready for our season as defending champs."
Speculation had been running rampant about where the budding star would play in the fall. After blitzing through the league -- the 19-year-old forward lead the CCHL in scoring with 52 goals and 55 assists -- some believed there was little point to returning for a second season.
One of those individuals was Hawkesbury (CCHL) head coach Shawn Anderson, who once coached Pontarelli. Anderson recently told the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder that he didn't think Pontarelli had much to gain by playing a second season in the CCHL.
Muskegon of the Untied States Hockey League appeared to be one possible alternative. The Lumberjacks traded up to select Pontarelli with the 53rd overall pick in last month's USHL draft. He competed in Muskegon camp over the weekend and scored one goal.
Other speculation had Pontarelli coming to Union a year ahead of schedule. The Dutchmen graduated its top two forwards, Wayne Simpson (36 points) and Kyle Bodie (33 points).
Pontarelli was recently named the unanimous choice for CCHL MVP and the CCHL Sportsmanship and Ability Award. He was also selected as the first-ever Canadian Junior Hockey League MVP and CJHL Top Forward.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Recruit Pontarelli picks up two more awards
by Ryan Fay
Men's hockey recruit Michael Pontarelli has added two more awards to his mantle.
The Cornwall Colts forward was named the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Most Valuable Player and the CJHL Top Forward earlier this week. This season marks the first time those awards were handed out.
He previously won the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) MVP and the CCHL Sportsmanship and Ability Award.
Pontarelli, 19, paced the CCHL in scoring this past season with 52 goals and 55 assists in 53 games.
He will probably play another year in Cornwall before arriving at Union in the fall of 2014.
Men's hockey recruit Michael Pontarelli has added two more awards to his mantle.
The Cornwall Colts forward was named the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Most Valuable Player and the CJHL Top Forward earlier this week. This season marks the first time those awards were handed out.
He previously won the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) MVP and the CCHL Sportsmanship and Ability Award.
He will probably play another year in Cornwall before arriving at Union in the fall of 2014.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Recruits picked in USHL draft
by Ryan Fay
Men's hockey recruits Mark Dufour and Michael Pontarelli were selected in this week's United States Hockey League (USHL) entry draft.
Cedar Rapids drafted Dufour, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound forward in the tenth round (140th overall). The 17-year-old recently completed a four-year career at Kents Hill Prep in Kent's Hill, Maine. Final regular season stats weren't available, but as a junior, he paced the team with 37 points (23 goals, 14 assists) in 28 games played. Dufour will arrive at Union in either 2014 or 2015.
Pontarelli was selected by Muskegon in the fifth round (63rd overall). The 19-year-old led the Central Canada Hockey League in scoring this past season with 107 points (52 goals, 55 assists) in 53 games played. He is slated to arrive at Union in 2014.
Men's hockey recruits Mark Dufour and Michael Pontarelli were selected in this week's United States Hockey League (USHL) entry draft.
Cedar Rapids drafted Dufour, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound forward in the tenth round (140th overall). The 17-year-old recently completed a four-year career at Kents Hill Prep in Kent's Hill, Maine. Final regular season stats weren't available, but as a junior, he paced the team with 37 points (23 goals, 14 assists) in 28 games played. Dufour will arrive at Union in either 2014 or 2015.
Pontarelli was selected by Muskegon in the fifth round (63rd overall). The 19-year-old led the Central Canada Hockey League in scoring this past season with 107 points (52 goals, 55 assists) in 53 games played. He is slated to arrive at Union in 2014.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Recruit Pontarelli riding high
by Ryan Fay
It has been a pretty good week for Union hockey recruit Michael Pontarelli.
On Tuesday, the Cornwall Colts forward was named a finalist for the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top Forward Award. A day later, the Colts won the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) championship after knocking off defending champion Nepean in six games. And on Friday, he was named a finalist for the CJHL Most Valuable Player Award.
Pontarelli, set to come to Union for the 2014-2015 season, became the CCHL's 2012-2013 scoring champion after scoring 52 goals and racking up 55 assists in 53 games for the Colts. He recently won the CCHL MVP and the CCHL Sportsmanship and Ability Awards.
Other CJHL top forward finalists include Jesse Sinatynski, who collected 43 goals and 50 assists for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Dauphin Kings; Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League top scorer Joakim Arsenault of the Sainte-Agathe Montagnards; Buffalo Jr. Sabres forward Tyler Gjurich, the only Ontario Junior Hockey League player to reach 50 goals this past season; and Mario Puskarich, who had 89 points in 55 games for the Langley Rivermen of the British Columbia Hockey League.
Other CJHL MVP finalists include Collège Français de Longueuil goaltender Paul Borbeau Jr, the player of the year in the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League; Gjurich; Brooks Bandits forward Cam Maclise, who led the Alberta Junior Hockey League with 56 assists; and Melville Millionaires netminder Alex Wakaluk, who led all Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League goalies in wins (28) and save percentage (.930).
The awards are two of seven new CJHL honors. The winners are slated to be announced the week of May 6th.
As CCHL champions, the Colts will move on and compete for the Fred Page Cup in Truro, Nova Scotia. Their first game is Wednesday at 4 pm against Summerside of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
It has been a pretty good week for Union hockey recruit Michael Pontarelli.
On Tuesday, the Cornwall Colts forward was named a finalist for the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top Forward Award. A day later, the Colts won the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) championship after knocking off defending champion Nepean in six games. And on Friday, he was named a finalist for the CJHL Most Valuable Player Award.
 |
| Pontarelli (CCHL) |
Other CJHL top forward finalists include Jesse Sinatynski, who collected 43 goals and 50 assists for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Dauphin Kings; Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League top scorer Joakim Arsenault of the Sainte-Agathe Montagnards; Buffalo Jr. Sabres forward Tyler Gjurich, the only Ontario Junior Hockey League player to reach 50 goals this past season; and Mario Puskarich, who had 89 points in 55 games for the Langley Rivermen of the British Columbia Hockey League.
Other CJHL MVP finalists include Collège Français de Longueuil goaltender Paul Borbeau Jr, the player of the year in the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League; Gjurich; Brooks Bandits forward Cam Maclise, who led the Alberta Junior Hockey League with 56 assists; and Melville Millionaires netminder Alex Wakaluk, who led all Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League goalies in wins (28) and save percentage (.930).
The awards are two of seven new CJHL honors. The winners are slated to be announced the week of May 6th.
As CCHL champions, the Colts will move on and compete for the Fred Page Cup in Truro, Nova Scotia. Their first game is Wednesday at 4 pm against Summerside of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Recruit Pontarelli nets 50th goal of season (w/ video)
by Ryan Fay
Michael Pontarelli, a 2014-2015 recruit, scored his 49th and 50th goals of the season on Tuesday for the Cornwall Colts of the CCHL.
Pontrarelli, 19, reached the 50 goal plateau in just his 50th game of the year. He also has 49 assists, three of which came Tuesday, and leads the league in points and goals. The 5-foot-8 forward has a whopping 13 goal cushion over the second highest goal scorer, Matt Rosebrook of Gloucester.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): What makes Pontarelli good?
TODD HAMBLETON (TH): His coach here, Ian MacInnis, said something that was interesting. He said Pontarelli has "a real passion to score. It may sound strange, but not all of them do. Every game, every practice, he has a puck around the net, which is a really good habit - not enough of them have it.''
Below is a Q&A I did in December with Cornwall Standard-Freeholder sports writer Todd Hambleton. I'm guessing a good chunk of people reading the blog now didn't follow it when I was only using Facebook to post things earlier this season. I usually don't re-run things, but this is an exception.
UNION HOCKEY NEWS (UHN): What makes Pontarelli good?
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| Pontraelli (CCHL) |
I thought that was interesting, especially coming from a former pro who lit it up big-time three decades ago in the Ontario Hockey League. Pontarelli missed the first couple of weeks with mono, and when he arrived in the lineup what I noticed was his shot and a quick release. And he gets into a good position to shoot.
UHN: What does he need to improve on?
TH: Taking care of his own end, [his] coach feels, like anybody out of prep school, is a work-in-progress. But [it's] starting to come around.
UHN: How good is the competition that he's putting these numbers up against?
TH: Oh, very good. As strong as some of the best tier II Junior A leagues in Canada. It's better than most junior leagues in the United States, with the obvious exception of USHL. Four of the five current Colgate power play guys are freshmen who played for the Colts last year - Tyson Spink, Tylor Spink, Mike Borkowski, and Kyle Baun.
UHN: Did Pontarelli generate other NCAA interest? If so, from who?
TH: I'm sure there was, but it never came up for us. He basically [went] with Union very early this season, which we reported.
UHN: Does Pontarelli have pro-level potential down the road?
TH: There's pro possibility. He's not big, but he's got one and a half years still before he goes to [Union]. The game has changed – there's more room for smaller skill players. How high up the pro ranks? I have no idea. He does remind me quite a bit of Andrew Schembri, a little guy but great skill, who went on from Cornwall to Ohio State and now plays pro in Europe.
UHN: What does he need to improve on?
TH: Taking care of his own end, [his] coach feels, like anybody out of prep school, is a work-in-progress. But [it's] starting to come around.
UHN: How good is the competition that he's putting these numbers up against?
TH: Oh, very good. As strong as some of the best tier II Junior A leagues in Canada. It's better than most junior leagues in the United States, with the obvious exception of USHL. Four of the five current Colgate power play guys are freshmen who played for the Colts last year - Tyson Spink, Tylor Spink, Mike Borkowski, and Kyle Baun.
UHN: Did Pontarelli generate other NCAA interest? If so, from who?
TH: I'm sure there was, but it never came up for us. He basically [went] with Union very early this season, which we reported.
UHN: Does Pontarelli have pro-level potential down the road?
TH: There's pro possibility. He's not big, but he's got one and a half years still before he goes to [Union]. The game has changed – there's more room for smaller skill players. How high up the pro ranks? I have no idea. He does remind me quite a bit of Andrew Schembri, a little guy but great skill, who went on from Cornwall to Ohio State and now plays pro in Europe.
Via a tweet from the Cornwall Colts, here's a video of Pontarelli's 50th goal:
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