(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 7) – The McKendree University men's Division-I hockey team is set to open their season in its second year at the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D-I level. The Bearcats are looking to defend their title as Midwest College Hockey (MCH) Conference Champions. McKendree will make their season debut this Friday, Jan. 8th on the road at Maryville University.
McKendree is once again coming off a successful season where they finished with a 20-6-0 overall record and a 16-4 record within the MCH conference. Additionally, the Bearcats came home with their first conference championship title, playing as a ACHA Division-I team.
Head coach
Garry Henson is entering his eighth season behind the bench of the Bearcats. After a successful season last year, and bringing home a conference title, Henson has high expectations despite the unusual year for athletics. "Our regular season schedule looks very different for obvious reasons and presents some challenges. It is our job to rise above those challenges and play our best hockey every time we step on the ice," said Henson.
McKendree brought in depth to all facets of the game with the addition of nine high-level freshman who hope to make an immediate impact on the ice on Friday.
"The boys and coaches are very excited to get things going against Maryville on Friday. We have a lot of new talent on the squad this year, so we are excited to see this team develop," said Henson.
The Bearcats will be led by two of their returning seniors, captain
Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd) and
Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School). Nordlander paced the team last season with 4 goals, 18 assists, and 12 total points on his way to being named MCH All-League First Team. Pluto was one of the top point-getters last season with 10 goals, 13 assists, and 23 total points.
Additionally, three key juniors return to the rink for another season, captain
Wes Werner (LaSalle, Ontario, Canada/Sandwich Secondary School),
Cory Robinson (St. Charles, MO/), and
Nikita Sokov (Pervourlask, Russia/School #15). Werner, a goalie, played 498 minutes last season and had a 0.874 save percentage. Robinson scored 9 goals and 8 assists for a total of 17 points. Sokov also scored 9 goals last season, two of which were game-winning goals, in addition to 7 assists for a total of 16 points.
McKendree will open up its season on Friday, Jan. 8th against Maryville University to mark the start of MCH play.
