September 2, 2009

INCH's A to Z: Army's Eric Sefchik

Click here to read Ken McMillan's story on the Inside College Hockey website.

You might think we're headed back to the Middle Ages, what with profiles of a Black Knight and a Crusader in this installment of INCH's A-Z series. No, we're still talking college pucks, focusing specifically on a pair of Atlantic Hockey standouts whose contributions could spell the difference in whether their respective teams experience a renaissance in 2009-10.

ERIC SEFCHIK
ARMY
Sr. | C | Brooklyn, Ohio

Key Statistics: Sefchik is one of those collegiate players who broke in slowly at the Division I level and improved his game each season after. He saw sparing time as a freshman, netting two goals and an assist in 18 games. During Army’s run to a regular-season title when he was a sophomore, Sefchik put up three goals and 10 assists in 34 contests. He enjoyed a breakout season as a junior, centering a top line with all-star Owen Meyer and solid youngster Cody Omilusik - Sefchik ranked third on the team with nine goals and tops in assists with 20. He is one of only four Army players to have reached 20 assists over the past six seasons. He failed to score on the power play but he did set up 12 man-up goals. Sefchik posted 22 goals and 34 assists in 53 games with the Cornwall Colts of the Central Junior Hockey League.

What He Does: Sefchik has good ice vision and the ability to slow the action down. Coupled with good hands, Sefchik has become a top playmaker in the league. Sefchik has committed himself to intense off-ice training in recent years, and that has dramatically helped his game.

The Bigger Picture: It’s likely that Sefchik will once again center the line with Meyer and Omilusik, and you can expect him on the ice for power plays, short-handed situations and important faceoffs. As important on the ice as he is off the ice, Sefchik has the respect of his teammates as he was voted the Black Knights’ sole captain this season. That is a critical role at the Academy where military life and academics can be a strain on any athlete, and Sefchik’s positive demeanor and calm disposition will be a great aid to the coaching staff.

Army coach Brian Riley on Sefchik: “Every team has those guys who don’t get the respect they deserve because they are not flashy and don’t put up the numbers the elite players do, but we are a much better team with ‘Cheeks’ in the lineup than without. Certainly this will be his best year.”