Hockey Recruits
��������� By Gary Braham�� 5-17-2000
�������������������������� updated 8-17-00
With an amazing senior class on the way out the door, let's look at the players who are coming onto the team.
Paul Kelley- Left Wing- 5'9" 185 lbs- From the Quesnel Millionaires in the BCHL.�
Ok, I was scared when I saw this dudes picture, long hair, black eye, missing some teeth.� However, it now looks like he might be one of the guys to watch.� He comes to us from the British Columbia Hockey League, a tough Junior league up in Canada.� He had a slow beginning last season, and did not play all the games.� He still netted 22 goals and had 35 assists, and a high number of penalty minutes.� He was a small guy, but he liked to play big.� Lots of speed as well.� Kelley served as an assistant captain last season. He was voted his teams most dedicated, and fan favorite, look for him to make an impact.
Rob Brown- Defense- 5'11" 175 lbs- From the Brockville Braves in the Central Ontario Canadian junior hockey league.
Brown's heart and determination to improve was what caught Colgate's eye.� In fact, in an article on Brockville's site, there were about 10 NCAA teams looking at him, including some big names.� But Colgate told him he would be dressing his freshman year, so we got him.� He was all league second team for a team that would finish second in the league as well.� Brown was happy to accept the scholarship to a good school, and thinks hes a good fit for Colgate.� Coach Vaughan looks foward to getting another good competitor on his team.� In addition to being a top defensemen, he was also second in the league for defensemen in scoring.� He has showed a lot of potential to improve and is a good match for Colgate academically.
Tucker Veenis- Defense- 6'2" 205 lbs- From Salisbury, a private HS in the USA
The big defensemen made his mark senior year as his teams assistant captain.� He led the teams defensemen in scoring and assists.�� His team seemed to be average, but he was selected for the leagues all star team.� He has also recieved scholastic awards.
Matt Nicholson- Defense- 6'1" 210 lbs- From the Strathroy Rockets of the Western Ontario junior hockey league
Yes, from the same team that gave us Andy McDonald.� Only played in about 80% of the teams games, was still second in penalty minutes.� 4 goals, 12 assists.� We'll have to wait to see him play I guess.
Kyle Doyle- Center- 5'9" 170 lbs- From the Petrolia Jets of the Western Ontario junior hoceky league.
Looks like he got to play in all the games and usually started at center.� Led the team in goals and assists with 33 and 46, this made him teh 4th highest scorer in the league.� Still a high number of penalty minutes.� His team was near the bottom of the league, so he might do even better with a top program like Colgate.� Doyle was a three year assistant captain of his team.�� His last season, he was the teams MVP and got to play in the leagues all star game.
David Cann- Goalie-6'2" 185 lbs -From the Mississauga Chargers in the Ontario Provincial Junior "A" Hockey league
He was the teams top goalie, seeing action in 35 games.� He had a GAA of 4.55.� This seems a bit high, but it should be noted that the team finished below average in the league.� His GAA was about one and a half more goals than the average in the league.� Time will tell with this one.
There's a lot of hope and potential with this class.� Some of the players are already established, some show large amounts of potential.� The exposure we got at the NCAA's this year and coach Vaughan's ECAC coach of the year award proablly helped the cause a lot too, and will continute to do do over the next couple of seasons.� The Red Raider's lost a lot, but they are looking to reload quickly!