Continuing to look at our student athletes who have obtained scholarships and gone the NCAA route, we now turn our attention to the powerhouse Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). With 6 CCHL skaters making the jump as freshmen, they join a conference that already is home to 10 CCHL alumni.
Going into its 63rd season of competition, the WCHA continues to be arguably the most impressive hockey conference in the NCAA. Since its existence, member teams have claimed 37 National Championships while being named Runners Up on 27 occasions. Also to its credit, the conference has been home to 16 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners and moved over 450 players to the NHL.
CCHL ALUMNI NAMED TO WCHA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
BEN REINHARDT
TED PLETSCH
BRANDON ANSELMINI
MATT ROBERTSON
ALEX GLOBKE
ZACH LOESCH
JAMIE PHILLIPS
KEVIN DUFOUR
GRADUATING CLASS
BEN REINHARDT – ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE – The former Pembroke Lumber Kings captain & Arnprior ON native recently finished his four-year stay with the Chargers. He earned WCHA All-Academic Team honors over his final two seasons of action.
TED PLETSCH – BOWLING GREEN – Another former Pembroke Lumber King, Pletsch had an injury riddled collegiate career at Bowling Green which saw him only get into 5 games over his final two seasons. The Supply Chain Management major earned WCHA All-Academic Team honors in his senior season.
WHO’S ALREADY THERE
CARMINE GUERRIERO – ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE – After coming off his sophomore season which saw him nominated for the Mike Richter Award, the former Hawkesbury Hawks goaltender heads into year three with the Chargers. Set the conference record with a 76 save performance on March 13, 2015 against Michigan Tech.
BEN MURPHY – BOWLING GREEN – The Exercise Science major goes into his senior season after graduating from the CCHL’s Carleton Place Canadians back in 2012. He is coming off back-to-back 21 point seasons with the Falcons.
BRETT D’ANDREA – BOWLING GREEN – The former Carleton Place Canadians forward heads into his sophomore season after posting 4 points in 17 games as a freshman. He is majoring in Business Administration, maintaining a 3.370 GPA through the spring of 2015.
KEVIN DUFOUR – BOWLING GREEN – The Finance major is heading into his junior season with the Falcons after graduating from the CCHL’s Carleton Place Canadians back in 2013. Was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team this past season.
MATT ROBERTSON – FERRIS STATE – Heading into his senior season, the former Smiths Falls Bear looks to continue his progression as he has improved his point production each season. He is currently majoring in Marketing and was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team last season.
BRANDON ANSELMINI – FERRIS STATE – The former Brockville Braves defenseman has been solid at the collegiate level, picking up 10 points or more in three straight seasons. He earned WCHA All-Academic Team honors during the 2014-15 season.
ZACH LOESCH – LAKE SUPERIOR STATE – The former Pembroke Lumber King heads into his senior season with the Lakers. Was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team during the 2014-15 season. He is majoring in Business Marketing.
ALEX GLOBKE – LAKE SUPERIOR STATE – The Economics & Finance major heads into his junior season after an extremely successful academic sophomore season. The former Carleton Place standout was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team, and was named a WCHA Scholar Athlete with a 3.77 GPA.
JAMES ROLL – LAKE SUPERIOR STATE – Yet another Laker who hails from the Carleton Place Canadians, Roll brought a steady presence to the blue line as a freshman. His 11 points were good enough to tie for 3rd in team scoring. He brought home WCHA Rookie of the Week honors on one occasion. He is studying Business Marketing as his major.
JAMIE PHILLIPS – MICHIGAN TECH – The 2012 Winnipeg Jets 7th rounder & former member of the Pembroke Lumber Kings really showed his capabilities during the 2014-15 season. In 41 starts he carried a 1.71 GAA & .933 SV% and was named to the WCHA 1st All-Star Team. He was also strong off the ice as he was named to the Conference All-Academic Team for the second straight season.
THE NEW GUYS
STEPHEN BAYLIS – BOWLING GREEN – The 2014-15 CCHL MVP graduates into the college ranks after finishing an illustrious career with the Carleton Place Canadians. The CP native helped the Canadians win back-to-back League & Eastern Canada titles advancing to the National Championships twice. He recently took part in the Toronto Maple Leafs Summer Development Camp.
ZAC TIERNEY – FERRIS STATE – After two seasons between the Ottawa Jr Senators and Cornwall Colts, the London ON native heads to Ferris State where he will look to continue his blue line dominance. In 131 total regular season & playoff games, Tierney racked up 22 goals & 89 points, being named a 1st Team All-Star this past season.
CRAIG PEFLEY – FERRIS STATE – Another Carleton Place Canadian to move on to the NCAA, Pefley was a big part of what the Canadians were able to accomplish over those two seasons. The Michigan native was a reliable and consistent presence as he racked up 112 points in 153 career games.
RYKER KILLINS – FERRIS STATE – The Wawa Ontario native came over in a late season deal from Muskegon of the USHL and made an immediate impact in Carleton Place. The blue liner posted 9 goals & 17 points in 22 games contributing greatly to Carleton Place advancing to the National Championships.
ANTHONY NELLIS – LAKE SUPERIOR STATE – In his lone season with the Pembroke Lumber Kings, the Breakeyville Quebec native registered 32 goals and 80 points in 58 regular season games before adding another 8 goals and 25 points in 16 playoff games, exceeding all expectations. For his efforts he was named to the CCHL Second All-Star Team.
CAL HOFFORD – NORTHERN MICHIGAN – After two seasons with the Cornwall Colts where he registered 53 points in 107 total games, the Woodridge Ontario native joins Northern Michigan University in Marquette where he will look to continue his steady development as a college defenseman.
DOWN THE ROAD
JASON TACKETT – FERRIS STATE (2016-17) – After just 12 games with Pembroke, the West Chester Ohio native would be traded to the Kemptville 73’s where he would shine. By the end of the season, he would rack up 21 goals and 66 points in 56 games and earn himself a scholarship to Ferris State University. Big things are expected out of him this upcoming season, his second & final season in the CCHL.
IAN JOHNSTON – LAKE SUPERIOR STATE (2016-17) – Not a lot went right with the Kanata Lasers this past season, but Ian Johnston gave fans a reason to watch every night regardless. His 17 goals & 42 points were tops on the club and earned him consideration for CCHL Rookie of the Year. The now 18-year old will look to continue his strong play with less pressure on him after earning a scholarship to Lake Superior State, where he will skate in 2016-17.
BRODY BRUNET – LAKE SUPERIOR STATE (2017-18) – The Hanmer Ontario has two more seasons of junior hockey ahead of him, currently suiting up for the Smiths Falls Bears but also spent time with Sudbury of the NOJHL. He has a verbal commitment to attend Lake Superior State for the 2017-18 school year.
