Alumni Spotlight: NCAA Hockey East Conference

A CCHL Original Article | Alumni Spotlight

A total of 11 alumni from the Central Canada Hockey League skated in NCAA Hockey East Conference programs during the 2018-19 school year, including 1 Senior, 2 Juniors, 6 Sophomores, and 2 Freshmen.

Chase Pearson and Robert Michel, who both skated for the University of Maine, as well as Johnathan Kovacevic from Merrimack College will begin their professional careers beginning next season, while Jake Gaudet (University of Massachusetts), Charlie Levesque (UMass-Lowell), and Cameron Crotty (Boston University) look to continue developing their games at the collegiate level in 2019-20 as they take on more prominent roles with their respective schools.

Incoming Brockville Braves forward Eric Faith will join Gaudet at the University of Massachusetts.

Top Performers

F – Chase Pearson (JR) – University of Maine

The Alpharetta, GA native and son of former NHL’er Scott Pearson finished second in scoring with the Black Bears this past season, totaling 29 points (16G, 13A) in 34 games. For his efforts he was named Hockey East Top Defensive Player and was also named a Conference 2nd-Team All-Star. At seasons end, the Cornwall Colts alumni signed a two-year entry level contract with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. He just recently attended the Red Wings Development Camp.

F – Jake Gaudet (SO) – University of Massachusetts

The Ottawa, ON native and Kemptville 73’s alumni continued his steady progression during his Sophomore season with the Minutemen as he finished 7th in team scoring with 22 points (7G, 15A) in 41 games of action. The Management Major scored the Game-Winning Goal Vs Merrimack on February 28/19 which clinched the schools first ever Hockey East Regular Season title. Gaudet will be leaned on more heavily during his Junior season as he is expected to take on a bigger role. He recently attended the Columbus Blue Jackets Development Camp where he did not look out of place.

F – Charlie Levesque (SO) – UMass Lowell

The Hawkesbury Hawks alumni and former CCHL Rookie of the Year continued to impress at the college level in 2018-19. Following up on a Freshman campaign that earned him team rookie honours, the Russell, ON native totaled a career-best 17 points (4G, 13A) in 37 games. Continued progression in 2019-20 is expected from the young Chemistry Major. 

D – Johnny Kovacevic (JR) – Merrimack College

The Grimsby, ON native finished tops among blue-liners at Merrimack with 18 points (4G, 14A) in 31 games. Over the course of three seasons with the Warriors, the Hawkesbury Hawks and Ottawa Jr Senators alumni totaled 54 points (9G, 45A) in 101 career games. The Civil Engineering Major announced at seasons end he would forego his Senior season and signed a two-year entry level contract with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. He went on to dress in 1 game with their AHL affiliate the Manitoba Moose where he picked up 2 points (1G, 1A). He recently attended the Jets Development Camp.

D – Cameron Crotty (SO) – Boston University

The Brockville Braves alumni and Arizona Coyotes prospect progressed in his second season with the Terriers where he totaled 10 points (5G, 5A) in 38 games of action. Known as a smooth skating two-way defenseman, the Greely, ON native and Arts & Sciences Major was one of six Terriers to appear in all 38 contests in 2018-19. His 68 blocked shots ranked 4th overall in the Hockey East Conference. He was named an Assistant Captain for the upcoming season. He recently attended Development Camp with the Coyotes. 

Freshman Focus

F – Sam Knoblauch (FR) – UMass Lowell

The Carleton Place Canadians alumni put together a solid first season of collegiate play at UMass Lowell where he finished tied for 2nd among team Freshmen with 5 goals, while adding 4 assists for 9 points. The Rochester, MI native will continue to progress and improve his already strong game moving into his Sophomore year where he will be leaned on more heavily.

Graduate Appreciation

D – Rob Michel (SR) – University of Maine

The Ottawa Jr Senators alumni, who was the 2014-15 CCHL Defenseman of the Year saw his college career come to a close this past season. In his final season, he finished with 9 points (3G, 6A) and a career best +12 rating. In 137 career games, the Camillus, NY native totaled 53 points (17G, 36A). Following the season, Michel signed an Amateur Tryout with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the affiliate of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.