Niagara announces class of 2015 recruiting class

Courtesy of Niagara Athletic Communications

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s hockey team and head coach Dave Burkholder have announced seven new student-athletes who will take to the ice this fall as the class of 2015.

The Niagara men’s hockey team will have seven new faces on the team, including Kevin Albers, Sam Alfieri, Mike Benedict, Doug Clifford, Nick Gawron, Isaac Kohls and Chris Lochner.

“We feel we have addressed some of our major needs with this outstanding group of players,” Burkholder said. “We have a really good mix of skill, speed and most importantly character. I can’t wait to welcome this group into our family on the opening day of classes. I am confident that they will all have a seamless transition to Division I hockey. Tim Madsen again has done a magical job assembling this group of talented players.”

Albers (5’11”/192) is one of three players from the recruiting class of 2015 who played junior hockey with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League. The defenseman split time last year between the Lumberjacks and the Omaha Lancers, where he finished with 10 assists in 43 games. The Lake Orion, Mich. native spent the previous two years with the Green Bay Gamblers, earning four goals, eight assists and 12 points in 90 games.

“Kevin is a simple, smart defenseman who is a tremendous competitor,” assistant coach Tim Madsen said. “He plays with an edge and will be counted on to help in all situations including the penalty-kill.”

Alfieri (5’10”/170) is the latest Buffalo, N.Y. native to play for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL before donning a Niagara sweater, following senior Dan Baco. With the Stars during the 2010-11 season, Alfieri scored 10 goals, 24 assists and 34 points in 60 games. The forward also saw plenty of time on the power-play last year, notching three goals, eight assists and 11 points while on the man advantage.

“Sam is a two-way forward who makes plays all over the ice,” Madsen said. “He has invaluable experience playing in all situations in the best Junior Hockey League in North America (USHL), and will have a seamless transition to the college game.”

Benedict (5’10/170) is an Eden, N.Y. native who will add offensive firepower for the Purple Eagles. During the 2010-11 season with the Corpus Christi Icerays of the North American Hockey League, Benedict scored a team-leading 24 goals, 20 assists and 44 points in 58 games.

“Mike is a tenacious forward who is hard to play against,” Madsen said. “He is very good around the net and is also a local Western New Yorker who will bring tremendous character to our program. He won the Community Service award for his team last season in the NAHL and will be heavily involved in the local community as well.”

Clifford (5’11”/165) spent the 2010-11 season as a forward with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL). The Woodhaven, Mich. product comes to Niagara after notching 15 goals, 14 assists and 29 points in 53 games last year with the Buccaneers.

“Doug is an intelligent player that has the ability to make plays,” Madsen said. “He is a great team player that will do whatever it takes to win. He has three years of junior hockey experience and comes to Niagara from one of the most respected programs in North America.”

Gawron (5’11”/190) played for the New England Junior Huskies of the Eastern Junior Hockey League last year, notching a goal, 11 assists and 12 points in 39 games on the blueline. The Lemont, Ill. Product also spent time in the last few years with Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL), the Tri-City Storm (USHL) and the Jersey Hitmen (EJHL).

“Nick is a skilled, mobile defenseman who is willing to block shots and sacrifice for his teammates,” Madsen said. “He is a great team player who adds skill to our blue-line.”

Kohls (5’9”/184 lbs) is the second member of the 2010-11 Lumberjacks to put on a Purple Eagle sweater. In one year with the Lumberjacks, the forward notched 18 goals, 21 assists and 39 points in 56 games. While with the Streetsville Derbys of the Central Canadian Hockey League during the 2009-10 season, the Forest Lake, Minn. native notched 39 goals, 42 assists and 81 points in 59 games.

“Isaac is a highly skilled forward who has a very quick release on his shot,” Madsen said. “He is a proven point producer and will be counted on to contribute on our special teams immediately.”

Lochner (5’7”/155) is the third Lumberjack to be skating for the Purple Eagles during the 2011-12 season. The Alpharetta, Ga. Native scored 12 goals, 13 assists and 25 points in 38 games. During the 2009-10 season, Lochner played with the Villanova Knights of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, netting 45 goals, 40 assists and 85 points in 56 games.

“Chris has been a proven point producer at every level he has played at,” Madsen said. “His greatest asset is his speed. He will be counted on heavily on the penalty-kill and key faceoff situations.”

Niagara will kick off the 2011-12 campaign with an exhibition game against Queens on Oct. 1, before hitting the road to start the regular season against 2010-11 NCAA National Runner-Up, Michigan on Oct. 4. Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2011-12 season, by either calling 716-286-TIXX (8499) or by emailing tickets@purpleeagles.com.