by Sean Marcellus @snmarcellus / CCHL Director of Hockey Operations
Ten CCHL alumni skated in NCAA Hockey East Conference programs in 2017-18, including 1 Senior, 1 Junior, 2 Sophomores, and 6 Freshmen. In total, 9 of the 12 CCHL clubs were represented.
Veterans like Chase Pearson (Maine), Robert Michel (Maine), and Johnathan Kovacevic (Merrimack), are still trending upwards in their development, while a large group of first-year players are just getting their feet wet and showing a lot of promise.
Top Performers
F – Chase Pearson (SO) – Maine
The Cornwall Colts alumni and 2015 Detroit Red Wings 5th round pick had an exceptional sophomore season with the University of Maine, the Black Bears captain finished 2nd in school scoring with 27 points (7G, 20A) in 37 games. In his two seasons at Maine, Pearson has 49 points (21G, 28A) in 73 games. He played for the Colts as a 16-year old in 2013-14, totaling 23 points (8G, 15A) in 39 games.
D – Johnathan Kovacevic (SO) – Merrimack
The 2017 3rd round selection by the Winnipeg Jets continues to blossom into a dependable blue liner who offers a blend of size and skill on the back-end. An Ottawa Jr Senators and Hawkesbury Hawks alumni, Kovacevic finished 2nd in team defenseman scoring this past season with Merrimack College tallying 17 points (2G, 15A) in 34 games of action.
D – Robert Michel (JR) – Maine
The 2015 CCHL Defenseman of the Year has been as steady as they come through out his 3 seasons at the University of Maine. This past season, the former Ottawa Jr Senators standout, totaled 17 points (5G, 12A) in 33 games. He attended the Anaheim Ducks Development Camp last summer.
Freshman Focus
D – Cameron Crotty – Boston University
The 2017 CCHL Top Prospect as a member of the Brockville Braves had a very steady season with NCAA powerhouse Boston University in 2017-18. The right-hand shot two-way defender totaled 8 points (1G, 7A) in 34 games en-route to helping the Terriers to a Conference Championship. He was selected in the 3rd round, 82nd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in last years NHL Entry Draft.
F – Jake Gaudet – Massachusetts
The late-blooming power-forward had a strong first season of NCAA hockey, which saw him total 13 points (7G, 6A) in 36 games with the Minutemen. A student of the game and hard-worker, Gaudet has the determination to develop his game for the pro level, he just needs time. He attended the Ottawa Senators Development Camp last summer before heading off to school.
F – Charles Levesque – UMass-Lowell
The 2016 CCHL Rookie of the Year and 2017 1st-Team All-Star fit in nicely during his freshman campaign at UMass-Lowell. Skating in mostly a 3rd line role, the Russell, ON native was still able to produce points as his 12 points (6G, 6A) in 34 games were tops amongst freshmen skaters on his team.
D – Owen Grant – Vermont
The 2017 CCHL Defenseman of the Year and Scholastic Player of the Year continues to impress at the next level. The smooth-skating two-way defenseman totaled 8 points (1G, 7A) in 36 games as a freshman with the University of Vermont.
SKATERS | ||||||||
YEAR | NAME | SCHOOL | POS | GP | G | A | P | CCHL TEAM(S) |
SO | CHASE PEARSON | MAINE | F | 37 | 7 | 20 | 27 | CORNWALL COLTS |
SO | JOHNATHAN KOVACEVIC | MERRIMACK | D | 34 | 2 | 15 | 17 | OTTAWA JR SENATORS/HAWKESBURYHAWKS |
JR | ROBERT MICHEL | MAINE | D | 33 | 5 | 12 | 17 | OTTAWA JR SENATORS |
FR | JAKE GAUDET | MASSACHUSETTS | F | 36 | 6 | 7 | 13 | KEMPTVILLE 73’S |
FR | CHARLIE LEVESQUE | UMASS-LOWELL | F | 34 | 6 | 6 | 12 | HAWKESBURY HAWKS |
FR | CAMERON CROTTY | BOSTON UNIVERSITY | D | 34 | 1 | 7 | 8 | BROCKVILLE BRAVES |
FR | OWEN GRANT | VERMONT | D | 36 | 1 | 7 | 8 | CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS |
SR | RYAN COLLINS | UMASS-LOWELL | F | 25 | 3 | 3 | 6 | OTTAWA JR SENATORS |
FR | MARTIN FRECHETTE | VERMONT | F | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | CUMBERLAND GRADS |
GOALIES | ||||||||
YEAR | NAME | SCHOOL | GP | W | GAA | SV% | SO | CCHL TEAM(S) |
FR | GABRIEL MOLLOT-HILL | PROVIDENCE | 5 | 0 | 1.21 | .931 | 0 | PEMBROKE LUMBER KINGS |