Unity native Kassel boosts Army hockey program

This story first appeared on the Pittsburgh Tribune Review website.  To view Dave Mackall's story click here.

By Dave Mackall

Goaltender Josh Kassel became Army's first hockey All-American since the Cadets returned to NCAA Division I status nearly 30 years ago.

After concluding the 2007-08 season with a stingy 1.92 goals-against average and a .925 saves percentage, the Latrobe native dreams of putting on a better show as a college senior in hopes of reaching a professional level.

"If I don't make it, I'll be a second lieutenant in the Army," Kassel said. "Hockey would be on hold for awhile, but I'd definitely love to be involved in hockey for the rest of my life. I'd love to own a Junior A team."

Kassel's hockey odyssey began in Westmoreland County.

He attended Latrobe for one season as a sophomore after his parents enrolled him at Valley School of Ligonier, a private elementary school.

He moved to Lansing, Mich., for his junior season and played Midget Major level hockey before earning a spot on a Bozeman (Mont.) Junior A team.

Kassel, son of Barry and Sheila Kassel of Unity, is a graduate of Bozeman High School. While away from home, he lived with host families in Lansing and Bozeman.

"I got cut from the Pittsburgh Hornets (Midget Major team), and that's how I ended up in Michigan," he said. "At that point, I didn't know if I'd play in college or in juniors. I just think I kept winding up in the right spots."

He chose Army over Bowling Green,Michigan State and Union (N.Y.) after spending two seasons as Bozeman's regular Midget Major goalie.

"My first year here (at Army), I only played 20 minutes," Kassel said. "Throughout the whole recruiting process, I didn't think I could even be a college goalie. Now, if you ask if I have ambitions of playing professionally, I'd definitely say, 'Yes.' "

Kassel was named second-team RBK All-America, one of 24 players to earn recognition and the only player from the Atlantic Hockey Association. The teams were chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association and sponsored by Reebok.

He's the fourth Army player all-time to earn All-America recognition.

"This is a tremendous honor for Josh," Army coach Brian Riley said. "Every night he was on the ice, he gave us a chance to win, and that's all you can ask for. He made some outstanding saves this season and got better as the season went along. For him to gain this national honor is really a tribute to his hard work on and off the ice."

Kassel was a catalyst for Army's push to the Atlantic Hockey Association regular-season title.

He posted five shutouts and an 18-10-2 mark to help Army win its first conference title and the top seed in the conference tournament. He was phenomenal late in the season, registering a 13-3-1 record in the final 17 games.

Twice during the season, he registered back-to-back shutouts and beat then-No. 20 Air Force, 2-1, on national TV. Air Force went on to win the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Kassel is the first goalie to be named Atlantic Hockey Association Player of the Year. He also was voted as the league's Goalie of the Year and was a first-team all-conference selection.

In three seasons, Kassel recorded nine shutouts, tying him for second all-time at Army with Brad Roberts, who's in his second season with the Youngstown (Ohio) SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League.

"Josh was a difference-maker for us this season, and it's great to see him mentioned with the top goalies around the country," Riley said. "There was a stretch where we were near the bottom third of the conference standings, and thanks to Josh's great play, we won the regular-season title."