Alumni Spotlight | NCAA Atlantic Hockey Conference

OTTAWA, ON – There were fifteen Central Canada Hockey League alumni playing in the NCAA Atlantic Hockey Conference during the 2022-23 school year. Below we recap the seasons for players such as Adrien Bisson, Jarrett Fiske, Cade Townend, Simon Isabelle, Josh Barnes, and Olivier Gauthier.

ADRIEN BISSON (CORNWALL COLTS/OTTAWA JUNIOR SENATORS) – MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY

The Cornwall, ON native may not be an offensive juggernaut from the back-end, but what he lacks in offensive flair, he makes up for with his stout defensive positioning, endurance, and active stick. He had a total of 5 assists on the year with 41 shots on target. What was most impressive were his 53 blocks which ranked first on his team. Going back to his Junior days, Bisson has always been a player willing to do whatever it takes to win, and surely enough, that has continued at the collegiate level. At the conclusion of the season, the Lakers announced that Bisson would be an Assistant Captain for the 2023-24 season. 

JARRETT FISKE (KEMPTVILLE 73’S) – AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

The Erie, PA native earned a Second-Team All-Conference nod and was the AHA Goaltending Champion; the latter is given to the qualifying goalkeeper with the lowest goals against average, as he posted a 1.91 goals against average and .931 save percentage in league play, also the best in the league. In doing so, he became the fourth-consecutive winner of the award from AIC. His overall .923 save percentage is second-best in a season in AIC’s Division I era, and his 2.38 goals against average for the campaign is the fifth-best in that span. Fiske will attend Niagara University for the 2023-24 season.

CADE TOWNEND (CARLETON PLACE CANADIANS) – MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY

It was another strong season for the Carleton Place, ON native as he finished tops on the Lakers among defensemen in Goals (3) and Points (14) in 36 games. The former CCHL 1st Team All-Star and Bogart Cup champion while with Carleton Place wore an “A” for Mercyhurst in 2022-23, bringing his leadership skills on and off the ice. At the conclusion of the season, it was announced that Townend will join Robert Morris University for his Graduation season.

SIMON ISABELLE (OTTAWA JUNIOR SENATORS) – ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Whitehorse, YK native and Civil Engineering Major put together a tremendous Freshman season with RIT, finishing second in scoring among rookie skaters on the club. He was named Atlantic Hockey Conference Rookie of the Week twice during a 6-game point-streak where he collected 3 goals and 4 assists to help the Tigers pick up 5 wins. If his Freshman season was any indication, you can bet on Isabelle building off of it and taking a big step forward as a Sophomore heading into 2023-24.

JOSH BARNES (CORNWALL COLTS/BROCKVILLE BRAVES) – AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

Although only suiting up for 21 games, the Cornwall, ON native made the best of his playing time as he totaled 9 points (5G, 4A) as a Freshman. The former CCHL 1st Team All-Rookie has always been known for his goal-scoring ability and will look to build off his rookie campaign with the Yellow Jackets heading into the 2023-24 season where he is projected to get more offensive zone time.

OLIVIER GAUTHIER (NEPEAN RAIDERS) – NIAGARA COLLEGE

The Ferme-Neuve, QC native and Nepean Raiders alumni set career-highs in Points, Goals, and Assists in 2022-23, helping the Purple Eagles to a 19-18-3 record. The Finance Major opened the season with points in three straight games. He would collect two shorthanded goals and also show his defensive game as he blocked 23 shots on the campaign. Heading into his Senior season in 2023-24, Gauthier will look to build off a strong season and be given a bigger role on and off the ice.