Alumni Spotlight | NCAA Atlantic Hockey Association

OTTAWA, ON – Thirteen Central Canada Hockey League alumni played for NCAA Atlantic Hockey Association programs during the 2021-22 season. Below we recap the past seasons for Chris Theodore, Matt Lombardozzi, Cade Townend, John Hill, Devon Daniels, and Evan Debrouwer.

CHRIS THEODORE (CORNWALL COLTS) – AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

The Beaconsfield, QC native took another big step forward as he turned in his finest season yet in a Yellow Jackets uniform to earn Conference Player of the Year honors and did it at the expense of his conference opposition, notching 24 of his 26 points in league play. Four of his seven goals in conference action opened the scoring in AIC’s favor, and he scored two game-winning goals and set up five others. Incredibly, each of those seven decisive plays came against a different conference opponent. He was the playmaker on the winners against Bentley (Nov. 18), Air Force (Jan. 1), Mercyhurst (Jan. 14), Sacred Heart (Jan. 21), and RIT (Feb. 2), and scored the deciding marker against Holy Cross (Jan. 8) and Army West Point (Feb. 10). He was named to the All-Atlantic Hockey 1st All-Star Team. In late May, Theodore announced he would be transferring to Union College for the 2022-23 season where he will be expected to be an integral part of their offense.

MATT LOMBARDOZZI (CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS) – BENTLEY UNIVERSITY

The Leominster, MA native and two-time CCHL Champion with the Carleton Place Canadians had his best season of collegiate hockey in 2021-22. After collecting just 1 assist in 12 games during the shortened 2020-21 season, Lombardozzi led all Falcons defenseman in Points (19) and was tied for first overall in Goals among all players on his club (10) this past season. His 16 Points within the Conference were 6th best among all Atlantic Hockey Conference defenseman. Majoring in Finance, and with his college career now at an end, it is undetermined what is next for Lombardozzi but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take a crack at the professional hockey ranks heading into 2022-23.

CADE TOWNEND (CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS) – MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY

The Carleton Place, ON native who was a 1st Team All-Star and CCHL Champion while with the Carleton Place Canadians set career highs during the 2021-22 season with Mercyhurst University. The two-way defenseman finished first among all Lakers defensemen with 16 points (7G, 9A) in 39 games of action. He recorded four power play goals and two game-winning goals to go along with a team leading 62 blocks. He was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Academic Team. Heading into his Senior campaign and already known as an impact player, it is expected for Townend to take another step forward in his development and become even more important to his teams success. 

JON HILL (BROCKVILLE BRAVES) – NIAGARA UNIVERSITY

The Whitby, ON native and former CCHL 1st Team All-Star with the Brockville Braves had his best season of college hockey yet, totaling 8 points (2G, 6A) in 36 contests. Off the ice, Hill was awarded the Unsung Hero Award at the University awards banquet while also being named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team. The Criminology Major and Assistant Captain has one more season left of eligibility and will be expected to bring a strong veteran presence to the back-end once again while chipping in offensively from time to time. 

DEVON DANIELS (OTTAWA JUNIOR SENATORS) – MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY

The Thunder Bay, ON native and former CCHL Champion with the Ottawa Junior Senators set career highs in Points (8) and Goals (2) in his Senior campaign while bringing a consistent and steady presence to the Lakers back-end. His 42 blocked shots ranked him fourth on the club. Off the ice, Daniels was awarded the J.H. Blades Scholarship which is awarded to just two students in the United States annually. He also finished with a 3.943 GPA while being named All American Student Athlete of the Year by the Atlantic Hockey Association and being one of the inaugural members of the College Hockey for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He has volunteered with the Gliding Stars and Habitat for Humanity and was recently named the 2022 Bill Smith Award Honoree.

EVAN DEBROUWER (SMITHS FALLS BEARS) – BENTLEY UNIVERSITY

The Blenheim, ON native and former CCHL 3rd Team All-Star while with the Smiths Falls Bears had a rebound season with Bentley University in 2021-22. After spending the first three seasons of his college career with Arizona State, Debrouwer would transfer to the Falcons this past summer and finish with a 9-9-1 record, 2.78 GAA, .908 SV%, and picking up 1 shutout. During the season, he earned Conference Player of the Month and Week Awards, was named to the Watch List for the Mike Richter Award as the nations top netminder, and earned Atlantic Hockey Association All-Academic Team honours. Now with his collegiate career in the rearview mirror it is expected for DeBrouwer to try his game out at the professional level heading into the 2022-23 season.