The St. Thomas Aquinas College Ice Hockey team returns to action for the 2019-2020 season with a very talented and veteran-laden roster, in the hopes of an a return to the postseason. The Spartans are seeking their first playoff run since 2010.
In 2018-2019 STAC finished with an overall record of 11-9 and a 6-8 mark in MCHC play, finishing fifth in the conference and missing the postseason by just five points.
The Spartans return their top five scorers from a season ago; Shaun Benson (14 goals/25 assists/39 points), Douglas Harrison (20 goals/16 assists/36 points), Stephen Finkel (16 goals/12 assists/28 points), Patrick Burns (14 goals/14 assists/28 points) and Zachary Teats (12 goals/16 assists/28 points). Also rejoining the team for the 19-20 campaign will be; James Ryan, Andrew Rafferty, Carter Taylor, Carl Lorenz and Peter Gianatiempo. Lorenz (8-8 Record) and Gianatiempo (3-1 Record) return to the crease for STAC as they look to backstop the team to many victories this season.
Additionally, a good mix of freshmen and upperclassmen in; Ethan Birmingham, Ryan Guild, CJ Reissner, Brian Callaghan, Luke Broderick and Drew Lorenz will look to provide additional talent and depth at all positions on the ice.
Head Coach Matt Schuster will once again patrol the STAC bench this season, and will have some familiar faces assisting him. Sean Jennings, Craig Jennings, Mike Fasulo and George Petronella all return to St. Thomas Aquinas College as Assistant Coaches in 2019-2020. All four coaches are graduates of STAC and were affiliated with the program either as players or coaches/managers at one time or another.
St. Thomas Aquinas College will open their 2019 season at home on Friday, October 4th, as the Spartans play host to Columbia University at Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks in Monsey, NY. Puck drop is set for 8:30pm.