Alumni Spotlight | NCAA CCHA/Big Ten/NCHC/Independents

 

OTTAWA, ON – A total of eight Central Canada Hockey League alumni were active through out the NCAA Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Big Ten Conference, National Collegiate Hockey Conference, and Division 1 Independents during the 2021-22 season. Below we recap the past seasons for Brett Thorne, Luke Grainger, Ryland Mosley, Simon Mack, and Tim Theocharidis.

 

BRETT THORNE (CARLETON PLACE) – MICHIGAN TECH UNIVERSITY

PHOTO courtesy Michigan Tech Hockey

The Bedford, NS native and former CCHL Defenseman of the Year continued his progression at the next level in 2021-22, as he finished second in defenseman scoring for the Huskies with 17 points (5G, 12A) in 37 games of action. Heading into his Junior campaign, and with two seasons of eligibility remaining, the sky is the limit for the two-way defenseman. Majoring in Marketing, Thorne was recently named one of the team captains for the upcoming 2022-23 season.

 

 

LUKE GRAINGER (HAWKESBURY) – WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSTY

PHOTO courtesy Ashley Huss/WMU Athletics

The Montreal, QC native and CCHL Graduating Player of the Year from 2019-20 totaled 15 points (8G, 7A) in his Sophomore campaign with the Broncos. He scored the overtime winner to give Western Michigan their first ever NCAA Tournament victory back in March and seemed to take his game to another level in the second half of the season. Taking on a larger offensive load heading into his Junior season, time will tell how he reacts but if history is a telling point, Western Michigan should be in for a treat.

 

RYLAND MOSLEY (CARLETON PLACE) – MICHIGAN TECH UNIVERSITY

PHOTO courtesy Calvin Larson – MT Hockey

The Arnprior, ON native who was named a CCHL 1st Team All-Star in 2019-20 progressed in his Sophomore season with the Huskies, totaling 13 points (5G, 8A) in 36 games. Recently named an alternate captain heading into 2022-23, it is expected that Mosley, who is Majoring in Business, will be given a larger role on and off the ice in his Junior season. His tenacity to want the puck and outwork his opponents is something that continues to improve each year. With more added strength, he will just become more dangerous

 

 

 

 

SIMON MACK (BROCKVILLE) – PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

October 30, 2021 NCAA Men’s hockey US Hockey Hall of Fame Game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN. Photo by Russell Hons

The Brockville, ON native who was named CCHL Prospect of the Year in 2018-19 had a strong Freshman season with the Nittany Lions, picking up 7 assists in 37 games of action. His smooth skating and puck smarts allowed him to be trusted by his coaches and effective with minimal risk in his first season of College hockey. He has shown sound steady progression each year in his development and if that trend continues he will surely take another step forward heading into his Sophomore season in 2022-23.

 

TIM THEOCHARIDIS (CARLETON PLACE) – ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PHOTO courtesy Sun Devil Athletics

The 1998 born Scarborough, ON native who won two CCHL Championships and was named Defenseman of the Year in 2017-18 recently completed his final season of NCAA hockey. After three seasons at Bowling Green University, Theocharidis would transfer to Arizona State for the 2021-22 season where he tied his career high with 15 points (4G, 11A) in 35 games to finish second among defenseman on the Sun Devils. At the conclusion of the season, Theocharidis would sign a professional contract with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL. He would then be loaned to the Utica Comets of the AHL where he suited up in 9 games. Time will tell where his path leads him in 2022-23 but it is expected for him to be playing hockey somewhere.

 

 

YEAR NAME SCHOOL POS GP G A P CCHL TEAM(S)
SO BRETT THORNE MICHIGAN TECH D 37 5 12 17 CARLETON PLACE
SR TIM THEOCHARIDIS ARIZONA STATE D 35 4 11 15 CARLETON PLACE
SO LUKE GRAINGER WESTERN MICHIGAN F 39 8 7 15 HAWKESBURY
SO RYLAND MOSLEY MICHIGAN TECH F 36 5 8 13 CARLETON PLACE
FR SIMON MACK PENN STATE D 37 0 7 7 BROCKVILLE
FR COLE CRAFT LAKE SUPERIOR F 24 2 3 5 ROCKLAND
GR WILL CULLEN MIAMI D 7 0 3 3 NEPEAN/OTTAWA/CARLETON PLACE
                 
YEAR NAME SCHOOL GP W L GAA SV% CCHL TEAM(S)
SO RICO DIMATTEO NORTHERN MICHIGAN 22 13 8 3.48 .887 CORNWALL