The 2016-2017 season cemented the impression of Syracuse University Men’s Hockey as a dominate program in the NECHL with back-to-back league championships and a return trip to the ACHA National tournament – the team’s third appearance in four years. Led by Head Coach Nick Pierandri, Assistants Connor Treacy and Andrew Wolinski, and Goalie Coach John Parks SU Men’s Hockey compiled a 28-9 record. They outscored their opponents 190 to 121 and earned another top 20 national ranking. While officially belonging to the Northeast Collegiate Hockey League (NECHL) SUMH also played teams from the CHMA, ECHA, GLCHL and ESCHL (a conference they would move to the following season). The team went on a 16-3 romp during the first half of the season including an 8-game win streak and a sweep of their competition at the 1st Annual Buffalo Meltdown Tournament. The latter part of the season saw the team amass a 13-5 record which included a three-game road trip to face Colorado State University and the University of Colorado. After falling in the semi-finals of the NECHL Conference Playoffs, SU’s capture of the Regular season league title was enough to propel them to the ACHA National Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. The team suffered SU’s broadcast team of Cogan and Gray impressed the tournament organizers so much that they were asked to stay and provide the livestream broadcast for the rest of the tournament Captained by Matt DiVietro, the strength of the team was built on an experienced group of veterans and a strong rookie class that stepped in to fill the void of the previous season’s graduating seniors. The team was led by up front by freshman forward Peter-Owen Hayward’s 64 points (38-26-64), veteran “Tripp” Franzese also put up 45 points that season and Keith Lambert had 41 points. The team also benefited from the scoring power of Robbie Van Raamsdonk, Connor McNamara, Alex Aguirre and Matt Jacobs. On the backend 3 offensive minded defenders led the way – Luke Caddo, Pat Corcoran and Ben Ferro combined to add 44 additional points. Jacob Patalino, Will Gebbie, Pat O’Connor, Andrew Wales, David Rosen, and Stephen Bressi strengthened the defensive unit in front of the solid goaltending from starters Zachary Shapiro (13-2; .898 SAV%) and Michael Cuozzo (11-5; .878 SAV%), who were backed up by Freshman Eric Parker and Evan Christian. Team Members Forwards: Keith Lambert, Connor McNamara, Alex Aguirre, Rob VanRaamsdon, Matt Jacobs, Adam Ganley, Zach Bunick, Peter-Owen Hayward, Connor Rotenberg, Joseph Pucciarelli, William “Tripp” Franzese, Ben King, Mackenzie Connor, Owen Herrington, Christian Van Hecke, Matt DiVietro, (Captain); Brandon Peters Defense: Jacob Patalino, Luke Caddo, Will Gebbie, Pat O’Connor, Andrew Wales, Pat Corcora, Benedict Ferro, David Rosen, Stephen Bressi Goalies: Zachery Shapiro, Evan Christian, Michael Cuozzo, Eric Parker, Staff: Nick Pierandri (Head Coach); Connor Treacy (Assistant Coach); Andrew Wolinski (Assistant Coach), John Parks (Goaltending Coach), John Petosa (Advisor)