Alumni Spotlight: NCAA Hockey East Conference

Ten alumni from Central Canada Hockey League programs skated in the NCAA Hockey East Conference during the 2019-20 season. 

Former Brockville Braves standout Cam Crotty was a staple on a loaded Boston University blue line during his Junior season, where he totaled 9 points (4G, 5A) in 30 games of action. 

Former Hawkesbury Hawks star Charlie Levesque continued his progression at UMass Lowell where he wore an “A” in his Junior season on a River Hawks team that was ranked 12th in the country. Carleton Place Canadians alumnus Sam Knoblauch, although missing half the season due to injury, also made his presence known at UMass Lowell as a Sophomore. 

Other notable alumni who continue to progress at the next level include Kemptville 73’s alumni Jake Gaudet at the University of Massachusetts and Ottawa Jr Senators alumni Adrien Bisson at the University of Maine.

The latest crop of CCHL alumni are set to jump into Hockey East Conference programs this coming fall as Devon Levi (Carleton Place) joins Northeastern University, Owen Cole (Ottawa) heads to UMass Lowell, Tristan Poissant (Cornwall) joins the University of Maine, and Azzaro Tinling (Hawkesbury) joins the University of Vermont.

CAM CROTTY | BOSTON UNIVERSITY

The former Brockville Braves rearguard and CCHL Prospect of the Year finished off a strong collegiate career at Boston University this past season. Over the course of three years manning the Terriers blue line, Crotty totaled 27 points (10G, 17A) in 102 games of action.  The Greely, ON native officially signed his NHL Entry-Level contract with the Arizona Coyotes in April and will begin his professional career this coming fall. 

CHARLIE LEVESQUE | UMASS LOWELL

The former Hawkesbury Hawks star, CCHL 1st-Team All-Star and Rookie of the Year continued his progression in his Junior season at UMass Lowell, playing in all situations and donning an “A” for the River Hawks. Levesque totaled 12 points (3G, 9A) in 32 contests where UMass Lowell owned an 8-1-1 record when Levesque registered a point. Off the ice, the two-way forward was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team.  Over the past three seasons, the Russell, ON native has totaled 41 points (13G, 28A) in 103 games. Heading into his Senior season, Levesque will be expected to continue to bring leadership to a young star-studded lineup that will look to compete for a National title.

JAKE GAUDET | UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

Gaudet missed significant time during 2019-20 due to injury, but has been a steady and physical presence in the UMass lineup over the past three seasons, especially over the faceoff dots where he holds a 50.7 career winning percentage (733 for 1446). The Ottawa, ON native has appeared in 96 career games, totaling 40 points (15G, 25A). He enters his Senior year ninth all-time for the Minutemen in career plus-minus at +23. It was announced on May 21st that Gaudet will serve as team captain for the 2020-21 season, an honour that is well deserved to say the least.

SAM KNOBLAUCH | UMASS LOWELL

Although missing over half the season because of injury, the former CCHL 1st-Team All-Star had success while healthy, chipping in with 7 points (4G, 3A) in 16 games of action. A healthy upcoming season should result in a higher offensive output for the Rochester, NY native, who’s added production will benefit an already strong River Hawks offense.

ADRIEN BISSON | UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

In 33 games of action, the Cornwall, ON native finished his Freshman season tied for tops among team blue-liners in Goals (2), while placing first among rookie defenseman with 7 points. Known as a two-way defenseman who can play in all situations, Bisson is at his best offensively when he’s moving his legs and pushing the play up ice. Defensively he makes good reads and plays a consistent shutdown game. With three more seasons of NCAA eligibility, it will be exciting to witness the continued progression and development of his overall game.

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