2023–24 Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey season was the 44th season of play for the program, the 26th at the Division I level, and the 21st in Atlantic Hockey. The Golden Griffins represented Canisius College, played their home games at the LECOM Harborcenter and were coached by Trevor Large in his 7th season.

2023–24 Canisius Golden Griffins
men's ice hockey season
Conference8th Atlantic Hockey
Home iceLECOM Harborcenter
Rankings
USCHONR
USA HockeyNR
Record
Overall12–21–4
Conference10–12–4
Home7–8–4
Road5–13–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachTrevor Large
Assistant coachesDaniel Paille
Max Mobley
CaptainMax Kouznetsov
Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey seasons
« 2022–23 2024–25 »

Season

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Canisius entered the year looking for new leaders both on the offensive side of the puck and in goal. Graduate transfer David Fessenden ended up earning the lion's share of the starts for the Griffins but, as the season progressed, freshman Ethan Robertson was given more and more opportunities to get up to speed at the college level. Fessenden and Robertson played about even with one another, however, neither was particularly outstanding. The goaltending tandem saw the team's goals against average increase by more than half a point. The offense quickly found its new leader in Matteo Giampa and the freshmen ended the year leading the team in scoring by a wide margin.

The Golden Griffins started out the year with a 4-game losing streak and never seemed to recover completely. The team was able to produce some bright moments during the season, including a win over a ranked RIT squad, but they were never able to put a consistent stretch of good hockey together. Fortunately, the team ended the regular season in eighth place and managed to earn a home site in the opening round of the conference tournament.

The team opened their postseason with one of their best games of the year, scoring the first four goals of the match to knock out Mercyhurst with relative ease. The Griffins then built a 2-goal lead in their quarterfinal match with Holy Cross to give them a chance at a deep run. However, after that their goaltending troubles cropped up again and the team surrendered three goals in the second half of the match to lose 3–4. Robertson got the nod for game 2 and he showed out, stopping 40 shots in the game. Unfortunately, the team's offense was stymied by an equally impressive game from the opposing netminder and the match was sent into overtime. Canisius held on until the start of the second extra session when a defensive lapse allowed an unguarded Holy Cross player to score the winning goal.[1]

Due to a snowstorm, the game against RIT scheduled on January 13 was postponed to a later date.[2]

Departures

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Player Position Nationality Cause
Jake BarczewskiGoaltender United StatesGraduate transfer to Michigan
Markus BoguslavskyForward CanadaGraduation (retired)
Nick BowmanForward United StatesGraduation (retired)
Tyrell BuckleyDefenseman CanadaGraduation (signed with EHF Passau Black Hawks)
Danny DiGrandeForward United StatesGraduation (retired)
Lincoln ErneDefenseman United StatesGraduation (signed with Tulsa Oilers)
Simon GravelForward CanadaGraduation (retired)
John HawthorneGoaltender CanadaGraduation (retired)
Grant LovenForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Fayetteville Marksmen)
Keaton MastrodonatoForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Texas Stars)
Ryan MiottoForward CanadaGraduate transfer to Vermont
J. D. PogueForward CanadaGraduation (retired)

Recruiting

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Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Jack BuddDefenseman Canada20Toronto, ON
Powell ConnorDefenseman Canada23Chilliwack, BC; transfer from Michigan State
Luke FarthingDefenseman United States24Stoutsville, OH; transfer from Ferris State
David FessendenGoaltender United States25Parker, CO; graduate transfer from New Hampshire
Trey FunkForward Canada21Redwood Meadows, AB
Matteo GiampaForward Canada20Virgil, ON
Kyle HaskinsForward United States23Huntington, VT; transfer from Michigan State
Killian Kiecker-OlsonForward United States22Andover, MN; transfer from Maine
Robert KincaidDefenseman Canada21Barrhead, AB; transfer from Maine
Griffin LoughranForward United States24Orchard Park, NY; graduate transfer from Michigan State
Jackson NieuwendykForward United States21Dallas, TX
Grant PorterForward United States21Weston, MA; transfer from Providence
Ethan RobertsonGoaltender Canada21Courtice, ON

Roster

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As of September 14, 2023.[3]

No. Nat. Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
4 United States Keegan Langefels Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-02-02 Eden Prairie, Minnesota New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL)
5 Canada Robert Kincaid Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-05-13 Barrhead, Alberta Maine (HEA)
8 Canada Matteo Giampa Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-09-03 Virgil, Ontario Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
9 United States Kyle Haskins Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-02-16 Huntington, Vermont Michigan State (Big Ten)
12 United States Luke Farthing Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-04-21 Stoutsville, Ohio Ferris State (CCHA)
13 United States Griffin Loughran Senior (RS) F 5' 6" (1.68 m) 141 lb (64 kg) 1998-11-13 West Seneca, New York Michigan State (Big Ten)
14 Canada Trey Funk Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-04-11 Redwood Meadows, Alberta Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
15 Canada Matt Vermaeten Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2001-01-04 Ottawa, Ontario Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)
20 United States Randy Hernández Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-01-12 Miami, Florida Robert Morris (AHA)
23 United States Cooper Haar Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-04-26 Huntington Beach, California Aberdeen Wings (NAHL)
24 United States Jackson Decker Senior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-03-19 Algonquin, Illinois Chippewa Steel (NAHL)
25 United States Jackson Nieuwendyk Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-09-04 Dallas, Texas Penticton Vees (BCHL)
26 Switzerland Stefano Bottini Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-05-03 Lugano, Switzerland Penticton Vees (BCHL)
27 Canada Powell Connor Senior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-05-04 Chilliwack, British Columbia Michigan State (Big Ten)
30 Canada Ethan Robertson Freshman G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-02-22 Courtice, Ontario Austin Bruins (NAHL)
32 United States Alex Houston Junior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-03-21 Canton, Ohio Cornwall Colts (CCHL)
37 Canada Hunter Andrew Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2002-10-25 Virden, Manitoba Powell River Kings (BCHL)
41 United States David Fessenden Graduate G 6' 6" (1.98 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1998-04-30 Parker, Colorado New Hampshire (HEA)
47 United States Grant Porter Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-02-21 Weston, Massachusetts Providence (HEA)
53 Canada Jack Budd Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-08-29 Toronto, Ontario Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
55 Canada Christian MacDougall Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-13 Toronto, Ontario Coquitlam Express (BCHL)
57 United States Brenden Datema Graduate D 6' 5" (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1999-03-18 Sterling Heights, Michigan Michigan Tech (CCHA)
59 United States David Melaragni Graduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-03-30 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
61 United States Erik Urbank Graduate F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-03-28 Orchard Park, New York Dartmouth (ECAC)
72 United States Max Kouznetsov (C) Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-12-06 Voorhees, New Jersey Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
73 Canada Cody Schiavon Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-07-01 West Kelowna, British Columbia Vermont (HEA)
77 Canada Jack Lyons Senior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-07-04 Mississauga, Ontario Oakville Blades (OJHL)
88 United States Killian Kiecker-Olson Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-01-19 Andover, Minnesota Maine (HEA)
91 Canada Alton McDermott Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-06-04 Oakville, Ontario Oakville Blades (OJHL)
92 Canada Oliver Tarr Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-01-20 Uxbridge, Ontario Haliburton County Huskies (OJHL)
94 Canada Hudson Lambert Graduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-08-17 Richmond Hill, Ontario Brampton Admirals (OJHL)

Standings

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Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OW OL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#17 RIT †*2618713205410264402711215696
Holy Cross2613103031467862392114411693
Sacred Heart2614102221457570361419391113
Air Force26151013014488753818191115119
American International26121041124279684020164119111
Bentley261212212241695835161729582
Niagara26131033114178793918183111122
Canisius26101242103373873712214103126
Mercyhurst26715401430779135922498126
Army268162011286696351023293139
Robert Morris267172011256095391125394142
Championship: March 23, 2024
† indicates conference regular season champion (DeGregorio Trophy)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

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DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Exhibition
October 8 3:00 pm at Niagara* Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New York (Rivalry, Exhibition)FloHockey Fessenden W 5–2  28
Regular Season
October 13 7:00 pm at Miami* Steve Cady ArenaOxford, Ohio  Fessenden L 2–4  1,534 0–1–0
October 14 7:00 pm at Miami* Steve Cady ArenaOxford, Ohio  Fessenden L 1–4  1,524 0–2–0
October 19 7:00 pm at #8 Michigan State* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan  Fessenden L 3–6  5,992 0–3–0
October 20 7:00 pm at #8 Michigan State* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan  Robertson L 3–4  6,492 0–4–0
November 3 6:00 pm Holy Cross LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Robertson W 5–3  826 1–4–0 (1–0–0)
November 4 7:00 pm Holy Cross LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden T 3–3 SOL 1,152 1–4–1 (1–0–1)
November 10 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Martire Family ArenaFairfield, ConnecticutFloHockey Robertson L 1–4  2,527 1–5–1 (1–1–1)
November 11 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Martire Family ArenaFairfield, ConnecticutFloHockey Fessenden L 2–3  2,493 1–6–1 (1–2–1)
November 17 7:00 pm at Army Tate RinkWest Point, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden W 6–4  1,600 2–6–1 (2–2–1)
November 18 7:00 pm at Army Tate RinkWest Point, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden L 1–2  1,670 2–7–1 (2–3–1)
November 21 7:00 pm Robert Morris LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden W 5–1  790 3–7–1 (3–3–1)
November 24 1:00 pm Air Force LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden W 3–1  731 4–7–1 (4–3–1)
November 25 1:00 pm Air Force LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden T 2–2 SOL 621 4–7–2 (4–3–2)
December 1 7:00 pm Mercyhurst LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden T 3–3 SOL 719 4–7–3 (4–3–3)
December 2 7:00 pm at Mercyhurst Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Fessenden L 1–5  635 4–8–3 (4–4–3)
December 15 7:00 pm American International LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Robertson W 3–2  982 5–8–3 (5–4–3)
December 16 5:00 pm American International LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Robertson L 1–6  652 5–9–3 (5–5–3)
December 29 3:00 pm Rensselaer* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden L 3–6  719 5–10–3
December 30 1:00 pm Rensselaer* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Robertson L 1–2  735 5–11–3
January 5 7:00 pm St. Lawrence* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Robertson W 5–1  792 6–11–3
January 6 7:00 pm Clarkson* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden L 3–4  1,332 6–12–3
January 11 7:00 pm Mercyhurst LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden W 4–1  569 7–12–3 (6–5–3)
January 16 7:05 pm at #20 RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden W 3–2 OT 2,038 8–12–3 (7–5–3)
January 19 7:00 pm Niagara LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New York (Rivalry)FloHockey Fessenden L 2–4  1,161 8–13–3 (7–6–3)
January 20 7:00 pm at Niagara Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New York (Rivalry)FloHockey Robertson L 4–6  902 8–14–3 (7–7–3)
January 26 9:00 pm at Air Force Cadet Ice ArenaColorado Springs, ColoradoFloHockey Robertson L 1–5  2,318 8–15–3 (7–8–3)
January 27 7:00 pm at Air Force Cadet Ice ArenaColorado Springs, ColoradoFloHockey, Altitude Robertson W 5–3  2,424 9–15–3 (8–8–3)
February 6 6:00 pm Niagara LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New York (Rivalry)FloHockey Robertson L 2–3  792 9–16–3 (8–9–3)
February 9 7:00 pm Bentley LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Robertson L 0–3  898 9–17–3 (8–10–3)
February 10 6:00 pm Bentley LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden T 2–2 SOL 890 9–17–4 (8–10–4)
February 16 7:00 pm at Robert Morris Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Fessenden W 5–3  619 10–17–4 (9–10–4)
February 17 5:00 pm at Robert Morris Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey, SNP Robertson W 5–4 OT 1,008 11–17–4 (10–10–4)
February 23 7:05 pm at #20 RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey Fessenden L 2–9  4,233 11–18–4 (10–11–4)
February 24 7:00 pm #20 RIT LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Robertson L 2–3  1,335 11–19–4 (10–12–4)
Atlantic Hockey Tournament
March 2 6:05 pm Mercyhurst* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New York (First Round)FloHockey Fessenden W 5–2  388 12–19–4
March 8 7:00 pm at Holy Cross* Hart CenterWorcester, Massachusetts (Quarterfinal Game 1)FloHockey Fessenden L 3–4  444 12–20–4
March 9 7:00 pm at Holy Cross* Hart CenterWorcester, Massachusetts (Quarterfinal Game 2)FloHockey Robertson L 1–2 2OT 559 12–21–4
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[4]

Scoring statistics

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Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Matteo GiampaF361817358
Max KouznetsovC/LW368152339
Randy HernándezRW37814224
Jackson DeckerD357101728
Kyle HaskinsF354111510
Oliver TarrRW37781523
Griffin LoughranF21691578
David MelaragniD322111316
Erik UrbankRW34491337
Trey FunkF3476136
Matt VermaetenF30751220
Stefano BottiniLW/RW23461010
Brenden DatemaD3518930
Cody SchiavonD2835821
Jackson NieuwendykF3425716
Grant PorterF164374
Powell ConnorD3516739
Cooper HaarLW2515616
Killian Kiecker-OlsonF2123515
Jack BuddD152246
Luke FarthingD150446
Hudson LambertD131236
Robert KincaidD182134
David FessendenG220338
Jack LyonsD2611210
Christian MacDougallF71014
Hunter AndrewF160004
Keegan LangefelsD70002
Alex HoustonG10000
Ethan RobertsonG190000
Total118204322539

[5]

Goaltending statistics

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Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals against Saves Shut outs SV % GAA
Alex Houston50:130000101.0000.00
Ethan Robertson20979:295100534980.9043.25
David Fessenden221254:427114706100.8973.35
Empty Net-32:16---3----
Total372266:401221412611090.8983.34

Rankings

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Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Hockey NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 and 25.[6]
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.

Awards and honors

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Player Award Ref
Matteo Giampa Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year [7]
Matteo Giampa Atlantic Hockey Second Team [8]
Matteo Giampa Atlantic Hockey Rookie Team [8]

References

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  1. "WATCH: Holy Cross Wins Game 2 In Double Overtime Thanks To Jack Seymour And Liam McLinskey". FloHockey. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  2. "Niagara-Mercyhurst, Canisius-RIT men's hockey games scheduled for Jan. 13 postponed due to inclement weather". USCHO. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  3. "2023–24 Hockey Roster". Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  4. "2023–24 Ice Hockey Schedule". Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  5. "Canisius College 2023-2024 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  7. "Atlantic Hockey Announces 2023-24 Regular Season Awards". Atlantic Hockey. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Atlantic Hockey unveils three all-conference teams, one all-rookie team for 2023-24 season". USCHO.com. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.