New Hampshire Junior Monarchs

Army defenseman Rocha ‘humbled and honored’ with Senior CLASS Award.
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Former New Hampshire Junior Monarch Pat Galbraith, a native of Denmark, is currently playing for HC Slovan out of Bratislava, Slovakia. Yesterday, he was called upon to start for the NHL Premiere Challenge against the New York Rangers; holding the NHL club to only four goals. The game recap can be found here. Galbraith played for the Monarchs during the 2006-2007 season.

ALBANY, N.Y. - The 2011-12 ECAC Hockey Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls were announced Wednesday morning prior to the league's annual teleconference. Dartmouth was selected fourth in the media poll and fifth in the coaches' poll, while senior goaltender James Mello (Rehoboth, Mass.) was named to both preseason all-conference teams.
"I really feel like we have a great year ahead of us," head coach Bob Gaudet said. "This is a great league and I feel good about where this group is right now. We have nine new guys coming in that need to assimilate, but there is also a good mix of veteran leadership that will make this team a tough one to play every night."
In a vote of the conference's 12 head coaches, the Big Green earned the No. 5 position. Yale garnered nine first-place votes to earn the top spot, while Union received two first-place votes and finished second. Cornell and RPI were third and fourth, respectively, as the other two teams selected ahead of Dartmouth.
The Big Green were followed by Quinnipiac, who also earned one first-place vote in the process. Harvard, Princeton, St. Lawrence, Colgate, Clarkson and Brown round out the coaches' poll.
The media poll was slightly different as Dartmouth moved up one spot to fourth with one first-place vote. The top three spots of Yale, Union and Cornell remain the same from the coaches' poll before Dartmouth and RPI switched places. Quinnipiac follows the Engineers in sixth place with Princeton earning the seventh spot. St. Lawrence, Clarkson, Colgate, Brown and Harvard occupy the eighth through 12th places in the bottom half of the media's poll.
Mello, who was one of the top goaltenders in ECAC Hockey last season was recognized by both the coaches and the media with a spot on both preseason all-conference teams. Last season, Mello posted a goals-against average of 2.21 and a .926 save percentage with a record of 17-9-3.
With a league-record 38 members of the media participating in the poll this year, Mello received 28 votes as the league's top goaltender.
Media Poll (first-place votes; total points)
1)         Yale (23) - 432
2)         Union (11) - 397
3)         Cornell (5) - 356
4)         Dartmouth (1) - 308
5)         Rensselaer - 281
6)         Quinnipiac - 239
7)         Princeton - 205
8)         St. Lawrence - 173
9)         Clarkson - 164
10)       Colgate - 152
11)       Brown - 134
12)       Harvard - 129
Media All-conference Team
James Mello - Dartmouth (G)
Brian O'Neill - Yale (F)
Andrew Miller - Yale (F)
Greg Carey - St. Lawrence (F)
Danny Biega - Harvard (D)
Nick Bailen - Rensselaer (D)
Coaches' Poll (first-place votes; total points)
1)         Yale (9) - 117
2)         Union (2) - 107
3)         Cornell - 97
4)         Rensselaer - 85
5)         Dartmouth - 76
6)         Quinnipiac (1) - 70
7)         Harvard - 65
8)         Princeton - 51
9)         St. Lawrence - 43
10)       Colgate - 31
11)       Clarkson - 28
12)       Brown - 22

Congratulations to Paul Thompson
and Brian Dumoulin

St. Paul, MN- The New Hampshire Monarchs and the Eastern Junior Hockey League congratulates alumni Paul Thompson and Brian Dumoulin, both formerly of the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs, for being among those selected to the Reebok All-American Teams, as selected by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

Thompson, a Hobey Baker finalist from University of New Hampshire, adds this award to an already-lengthy list of honors achieved this past season. He also has the Hockey East Player of the Year, First-Team All-Star, Three Stars Award, and Scoring Champion to show for his spectacular senior year. He was also recently named New England Player of the Year. While with the Monarchs, he set the single-season scoring record in 2007 with 83 points, led the Monarchs to the 2007 EJHL Dineen Cup Championship, and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Thompson recently signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dumoulin, a sophomore at Boston College, played for the Monarchs during the 2008-09 season and was named the EJHL’s Defensive Player of the Year. As a freshman, he and his Boston College teammates won the NCAA championship. This past season, he was named to the All-Hockey East First Team and won the league’s Best Defensive Defenseman award. He also played for Team USA in the IIHF World Junior Championships, winning the bronze medal.

Congratulations to Paul Thompson and Brian Dumoulin. The entire Monarchs Family is so very proud of both of you!!!

2007 must have been a great vintage!!! Kearney is 6th Monarchs to Sign Pro contract in 1 month.

KEARNEY SIGNS W/SPRINGFIELD, ENJOYS MEMORABLE DEBUT

Thompson and The Penguins

Pittsburgh, PA- The Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to terms with New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs alum Paul Thompson, signing him to a two-year entry level contract, the team announced today.

Thompson attended the Penguins’ development camp in 2010 and just completed his senior season at New Hampshire. He was awarded the Hockey East Player of the Year Award after posting 52 points this past season and is a finalist for the 2011 Hobey Baker Award.

Prior to enrolling at UNH, the Derry, NH, native played for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs from 2005-2007, where he played an integral role in the team’s back-to-back Dineen Cup Championships. He was named the 2007 EJHL Most Valuable Player and his 83 points in the 2006-07 season still holds as the EJHL single-season scoring record.

Thompson will report to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Hockey Defenseman Eric Baier Signs With Reading Royals Of The ECHL

Royals Sign Forward Ian O'Connor

Thompson one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award

Mello named Finalist for league's Player-of-the-Year Award.

Junior James Mello
( NH Jr. Monarchs) has been selected by the ECAC Hockey coaches as one of three finalists for the 2010-11 Ken Dryden Award.

Matt Germain to receive the Joseph V. Macandrew Award

Jeff Fanning semifinalists for the Joe Concanncon Award

Semifinalists for the 59th Walter Brown Award

Boston, MA- The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston announced Monday the 15 Division I players who are semifinalists for the 59th Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England. Among the recognized players are former New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs teammates Paul Thompson (University of New Hampshire), Denny Kearney (Yale University), and James Mello (Dartmouth College). All three played for the Monarchs during their 2007 EJHL Championship season. Thompson won the EJHL Most Valuable Player award for the 2006-07 season which saw him score 83 points, a record that has only been equaled by one other player. Kearney finished second in scoring that year with 75 points. Mello was in net for the Monarchs’ two shutout wins in the Dineen Cup Championship Series and proceeded to win Goaltender of the Year after the 2007-08 season. The Gridiron Club will announce the finalists and winner of the award next month, following league playoffs and before the start of the NCAA Tournament. The award will be presented to the winner at the New England College Hockey Writers Dinner in April. Alumni from the Eastern Junior Hockey League have won the Walter Brown Award in each of the previous two seasons. Bobby Butler (UNH/ Junior Bruins) won the award last season and Matt Gilroy (Boston University/ South Shore Kings) won the award in 2009. -Mike Klein, 19 February 2011

JAMES MELLO NAMED MLX SKATES GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

James Mello, Dartmouth College - (Junior, Goaltender - Rehoboth, MA) 2 GP, 50 Saves, 1.00 GAA, .962 SPct., 2-0-0; Mello helped the Big Green capture its second weekend sweep of the season with wins over Quinnipiac and Princeton. On Friday, Mello had a shutout going until late in the third period. The next night against Princeton he allowed the Tigers a goal in the waning seconds on the opening frame and then held them off the scoresheet the rest of the way, despite 12 shots by Princeton in the third period. Mello has taken back the top spot as the ECAC Hockey's top goaltender. He is now 13-4-3 on the season and has a 2.00 GAA and a .936 save percentage. Other nominees: Mike Clemente, Brown, Andy Iles, Cornell & Keith Kinkaid, Union

Dumo sets up GWG for Beanpot Title

Congrats to Paul Thompson - 100 Points!!!

THOMPSON'S 100TH POINT HELPS NEW HAMPSHIRE TOP MAINE, 6-3 Senior forward Paul Thompson scores twice to move into Century Club for Wildcats

Hockey East POTW Brian Flynn - January 2011

Two former Monarchs earn
weekly Hockey East Honors

Monarch Alumni Earn
Recognition for Hobey

When the polls opened recently for fan balloting for college hockey’s prestigious Hobey Baker award, three former Monarchs were recognized. Senior Forward Paul Thompson at the University of New Hampshire, Senior Forward Denny Kearney at Yale University, and Senior Forward Ian O’Connor at Providence College. All three are on pace to nearly double their previous collegiate statistic highs. Kearney has been an instrumental member of the currently ranked number one Yale squad, while Thompson is an equally important piece of the puzzle at number four UNH. O’Connor has been a crucial stalwart both on the ice and off, room as he captains Providence, currently 7th in the Hockey East standings. All three were key members to the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs Championship teams of 2006 and 2007.

Congrats Dumo! - December 2010

Cheyne Rocha earns ARMY's
John Heinmiller Hockey Award
as the Outstanding Freshman of the Year

Dumoulin Plays Key Role In BC’s National Title Run
It would seem that championships and individual success are becoming the norm for Boston College freshman and former Monarch defenseman Brian Dumoulin. This past Saturday Dumoulin and his Boston College teammates captured the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey National Championship, defeating the Wisconsin University Badgers by a score of 5-0. Dumoulin was named to the NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament team, recording an outstanding +10 in BC’s four games and notching 3 assists. The NCAA Championship is the high point in a 4-year run of championships for Brian. He was a member of back-to-back Maine state champion teams while starring at Biddeford High School, and last year while playing with the Monarchs, he helped the team earn their 4th straight EJHL Regular Season crown, and their 3rd straight National Title.

The 2nd round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes has been a key factor in all 4 of those championships. Dumoulin earned Player of the Year honors in Maine his junior year, and led the state in scoring as a defenseman. That following summer he was selected to the US National Under 18 team that competed overseas in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Slovakia.

Dumoulin made an immediate impact with the Monarchs. His size and tremendous skill were a major factor in the 2008-2009 team’s overall success, and it also earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors in the league. In June, the Carolina Hurricanes selected Dumoulin 51st overall in the NHL Entry Draft, capping off a season of incredible accomplishments for the young defenseman.

This past fall Brian arrived on the campus of Boston College as a true freshman. Just two years earlier he had been a sophomore at a public high school in Maine. Brian was the first native Mainer to ever be recruited to play hockey at BC. Just as he had adjusted his game to better fit the junior level, Brian quickly adapted to the pace of play at the collegiate level, and similar to what he did as a Monarch, Brian then began to excel. He finished the season with an astonishing +40 rating, was a previously mentioned +10 in 4 NCAA Tournament games, and was a +3 in 8 of the 42 games he played. With stats like that it’s no wonder Brian was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team, College Hockey News All –Rookie team, and was also a runner up for Hockey East Rookie of the Year. The Beanpot Final on February 8thagainst archrival Boston University, a game in which the Eagles won, was the last game Dumoulin had a minus rating. He went the final 16 games of the Eagles’ season playing even or better.

So in his first season as a Boston College Eagle, Brian added a few more of things to his list of career highlights. Dumoulin and his Boston College teammates claimed the Beanpot Championship, Hockey East Tournament, and the NCAA Frozen Four Championship, and Brian himself earned a spot on his league’s All-Rookie team, a national All-Rookie team, the National Championship’s All-Tournament team, and was runner up for his league’s Rookie of the Year. Not bad for a kid from Biddeford, ME, but it would seem that these sorts of things are what Dumoulin was born to do.

Brian Foster named to New England All Star Team &
Division I All-America Team

Brian Foster
NE All Star

BOSTON – Senior forward Bobby Butler (Marlboro, Mass.), of the University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team, was selected as the Leonard Fowle Most Valuable Player for New England and the Herb Gallagher Award given to the Best Forward in New England. In addition, Butler, Brian Foster (Pembroke, N.H.) and Blake Kessel (Verona, Wis.) were all named 2009-10 New England Men’s Division I All-Stars. The announcements were made on Friday (April 2) and will be presented at the New England Hockey Writers annual awards banquet on Tuesday, April 13 at the Prince Restaurant in Saugus, Mass.

Foster, a 2009 Hockey East Honorable Mention selection, was a 2010 Hockey East All Star First team, a four-time Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week and earned Goalie of the Month in December and January. Hockey East’s ironman in net, Foster played in 38 of 39 games and ranked first in Hockey East in saves (1,128), minutes (2,297:10) and wins (17). In Hockey East play, Foster was in the top five in every netminding category with a 2.75 GAA (5th), .913 save percentage (4th), .653 win percentage (3rd) and 764 saves (2nd). Foster stopped a career-high 50 shots on March 14 against Vermont and allowed two goals or fewer on 16 occasions. Foster’s 1,128 saves in 2009-10 is second behind All-American Mike Ayers (1,139 - 2002-03) on UNH’s single season saves list.

DETROIT – Senior forward Bobby Butler (Marlboro, Mass.), senior netminder Brian Foster (Pembroke, N.H.) and sophomore defenseman Blake Kessel (Verona, Wis.) of the University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team, were selected to the Division I RBK All-America team on Friday night as chosen by the American Hockey Coaches Association at the Frozen Four at Ford Field in Detroit. Butler was named a first team All America selection, while Foster and Kessel were both tabbed second team All-America.

Foster, a 2009 Hockey East Honorable Mention selection, was a New England All-Star, 2010 Hockey East All Star First team, a four-time Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week and earned Goalie of the Month in December and January. Hockey East’s ironman in net, Foster played in 38 of 39 games and ranked first in Hockey East in saves (1,128), minutes (2,297:10) and wins (17). In Hockey East play, Foster was in the top five in every netminding category with a 2.75 GAA (5th), .913 save percentage (4th), .653 win percentage (3rd) and 764 saves (2nd). Foster stopped a career-high 50 shots on March 14 against Vermont and allowed two goals or fewer on 16 occasions. Foster’s 1,128 saves in 2009-10 is second behind All-American Mike Ayers (1,139 - 2002-03) on UNH’s single season saves list.

goal

Knowlton Nets Last-Minute Winner for Sacred Heart

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (March 19) - Patrick Knowlton scored with 41 seconds left in regulation to lead Sacred Heart to a 2-1 victory over defending champion Air Force in the second semifinal of the Atlantic Hockey tournament. The Falcons had scored an extra-attacker goal with 1:29 to play to even the score. "Give [Sacred Heart] all the credit for having the guts to come back after we scored," said Air Force coach Frank Serratore.

"I'm proud of the way we responded," said Pioneers coach C.J. Marottolo. "It was pretty wild."

The teams managed only one goal in the first 58 minutes before the wild finish. Erik Boisvert dove to sweep in a rebound off a shot from Eric Delong at 10:14 of the second period. That goal broke a shutout streak of 161:07 for Air Force goaltender Andrew Volkening at Blue Cross Arena. Volkening had back-to-back shutouts in the semifinals and finals last season. "He's the best player to ever wear the blue and silver," Serratore said of his goaltender. "We let him down by only scoring one goal. Your margin of error is pretty small when you can only score one goal. We died from the disease that has plagued as all season - the inability to score goals. If it wasn't for Andrew Volkening we would have wound up sixth or seventh in the league."

With two minutes to play and Sacred Heart leading 1-0, Serratore used his timeout and pulled Volkening. The Falcons won the ensuing faceoff and worked the puck to the Sacred Heart net, where Jacques Lamoureux put in a rebound.

"It's ironic that three years ago, we had a wild finish with Sacred Heart," said Serratore. "We pulled our goalie and tied it up and won in overtime. I thought we were going to do it again."

With 42 seconds to play, Dave Jarman found Knowlton at the side of the Air Force net, and he was able to roof the pass before Volkening could slide over.

"Jarman looked for me," said Knowlton. "He made a pass and it hit off a skate and came right back to him. He looked for me again and made a great pass."

ATHLETIC REPUBLIC PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Brian Flynn - Maine
Sophomore Forward; Lynnfield, Mass
Flynn notched 15 points (10g,5a) in eight games in February for the Black Bears. He had points in seven of Maine’s eight games. Flynn tied a Maine record with five goals and added two assists for a school record seven points in Maine’s 8-4 win over UMass Lowell. Finished the month a +6 plus/minus rating. He averaged 1.88 points per game and 1.25 goals per game in February.

Runners-up:
Bobby Butler, UNH (Sr., F, Marlboro, Mass.) 7GP, 9 pts. (6g,3a)
Brian Gibbons, BC (Jr., F, Braintree, Mass.) 9GP, 14 pts. (6g,8a)
Brayden Irwin, UVM (Sr., F, Toronto, Ont.) 8GP, 11 pts. (4g,7a)
Tyler McNeely, NU (Jr., F, Burnaby, B.C.) 9GP, 12 pts. (5g7a)

Feb.	Opponent	Result	G-A-P
5	New Hampshire	W 3-2	0-1-1
6	New Hampshire	W 6-3	2-0-2
12	at Boston U.	L 4-7	0-1-1
13	at Boston U.	L 2-5	0-0-0
19	UMass Lowell	W 8-4	5-2-7
20	UMass Lowell	L 2-4	1-0-1
26	at Merrimack	L 3-6	0-1-1
27	at Merrimack	W 5-1	2-0-2
Totals		4-4-0	10-5-15

Mello After starting two of the last three games for the Big Green, Mello is beginning to cultivate his own reputation and earn consistent time on the ice. In his seven appearances this season, he has posted a .936 save percentage. “When I stepped in this year and got a chance, I couldn’t have been more happy,” Mello said. “I have been waiting for a long time, so it was nice to finally get in.” Mello shares the net with Jody O’Neill ’12, who has earned the majority of total playing time this season in his 17 starts and one partial appearance. The more frequent addition of Mello into the goalie rotation this year is beneficial for the rest of the team, captain Peter Boldt ’10 said. “When [Mello] plays well, it gives the team a lot of confidence,” Boldt said. “We now know we have two goalies we can rely on for the rest of the season.” Earning four starts this season compared to none last year, Mello procured his first collegiate victory on Jan. 23 against a No. 20 Union College team that was ranked first in the ECAC. So far this season, Mello was also thrown into three games in the middle of play, without much preparation. “He is very positionally sound and he is really a calm, patient goaltender,” head coach Bob Gaudet said. “He is not someone who gets rattled. You can see that when he comes into a game, he comes in cool and he has confidence in his abilities.” Mello entered the game in a crucial spot with Dartmouth trailing Harvard University, 3-1, in the second period on Jan. 18. He replaced O’Neill in net and shut out the Crimson for the remainder of the game before an empty net goal led to a 4-1 loss. “It was a way to change the momentum of the game,” Gaudet said. “I don’t like taking the goalies out that much, but sometimes you need to do it. Both goalies have really good abilities and it is who has the hot hand at that time.” Mello’s play against Harvard earned him consecutive starts against Rensselaer Polytechnic University and Union the following weekend, according to Gaudet. Also starting in the 4-3 victory over Quinnipiac University last Friday, Mello was relieved by O’Neill in the third period due to injury. “I got hit on the top of the head,” Mello said. “I felt like I was in a haze. I tried to battle it out, but it comes down to the fact that this year we need our wins.” Last season, Mello clocked only 30:38 in his one appearance. O’Neill, on the other hand, played just over 1795 minutes in net — earning almost 95 percent of the playing time and posting a .923 save percentage. He was named the Ivy League and ECAC Rookie of the Year. “Jody played phenomenally last year and there was no reason why he shouldn’t have played,” Mello said. “It was one of those positions where you just have to wait it out and when you get a chance, you have to produce.” Last year, Mello still played an important role despite the dearth of playing time, Gaudet said. “He pushed Jody to be at his best,” he said. “He made our team better by forcing our guys through practice to work hard to score goals on him.” Rookie netminder Charles Corsi ’13 is “coming along and working really hard,” Gaudet added, but his decision remains between the more experienced Mello and O’Neill. Mello’s path to Dartmouth began when he transferred in his senior year of high school to play with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs in the Eastern Junior Hockey League. After high school, he continued playing during a gap year and was named both the 2008 EJHL Goaltender of the Year and the Playoff MVP. Current teammate Jim Gaudet ’12, who also played for the Monarchs, allowed Mello to forge a connection with his father, Big Green head coach Bob Gaudet. Coach Gaudet noticed Mello’s improvement since his junior hockey days, he said — especially in strength. “He has worked really hard on his conditioning and weight training which has helped him to be a little more explosive and crisper in his movements,” coach Gaudet said. For now, Mello is taking advantage of the opportunity to simply play the sport he grew to love while living next door to one of the greatest goalies of all time. “Honestly, I feel I play my best when I let my mind go blank and I just play hockey,” Mello said. “The times when you do get a chance to go in, you really just have to enjoy it.”

Paul Thompson, Joey (#19) and Jimmy Gaudet (#4) go head to head at the Verizon Arena as UNH and Dartmouth compete in their annual trip to Manchester, NH.

BAUER GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
Brian Foster – New Hampshire Senior Goaltender; Pembroke, N.H. Foster went 5-2-1 in the month allowing two goals or fewer on five occasions in the month. Foster posted a 2.33 GAA and a .928 save percentage. He allowed two goals or fewer on five occasions and he posted 30+ saves three times in the month. Foster was a two-time Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week during the month. Runners-up: Carter Hutton, UML (Sr., Thunder Bay, Ont.) 3-3-0, 2.00 GAA, .929 save% Kieran Millan, BU (So., Edmonton, Alb.) 4-1-0, 2.81 GAA, .914 save%

Jan.	Opponent	Result	Min	Svs	GA
3	CORNELL	L 2-5	57:55	38	4
8	UMASS LOWELL	T 2-2	64:53	27	2
9	MASSACHUSETTS	W 7-2	59:49	26	2
16	vs. Dartmouth	W 5-2	60:00	24	2
22	at Providence	W 3-2	62:17	30	2
23	at Boston University	W 4-1	60:00	34	1
29	at Merrimack	L 2-3	59:03	40	3
30	MERRIMACK	W 4-3	64:48	26	3
Totals		5-2-1	488:45	245	19
2.33 GAA, .928 save percentage

Alum Zach Joy earns POTW and leads nation in goals per game

Junior forward Zach Joy (Dover, N.H.) of the University of Southern Maine men's ice hockey team has been recognized by the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Men's East league for his outstanding play during the week of January 11-17. It was announced Monday afternoon by the ECAC office that Joy had been selected as the Player of the Week. This is Joy's second Player of the Week award this season. He previously was picked as the Player of the Week the opening week (November 16- 22) of the season. In three games last week, Joy scored five goals to help the Huskies go 2-0-1. He had two goals in the Huskies' 5-2, non-conference win over Suffolk University, tallies two goals, including the game winner, in a 4-3 win over in- state rival Bowdoin College, and scored the game-tying goal with less than five minutes to play in a 1-1, overtime tie with Colby College. Joy leads the Huskies in scoring with 17 goals and two assists for 19 points. According to the latest national statistics on collegehockeystats.net, Joy is tied for the Division III national lead in goals per game (1.13).

CHEYNE ROCHA COMPLETES BASIC TRAINING AT WEST PONT – August 2009

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Cadet Cheyne Rocha, son of Larry and Candace Rocha of Rye, NH completed Cadet Basic Training (CBT) at the U.S. Military Academy and was accepted into the Corps of Cadets on August 15, 2009.

Cheyne entered West Point June 30 and has successfully completed seven weeks of CBT. Also referred to as “Beast Barracks,” CBT is one of the most challenging events a cadet will encounter over the course of their four years at the academy.

The initial military training program provides cadets with basic skills to instill discipline, pride, cohesion, confidence and a high sense of duty to prepare them for entry into the Corps of Cadets. Areas of summer instruction included first aid, mountaineering, hand grenades, rifle marksmanship and nuclear, biological, and chemical training.

Cheyne began classes August 17 at America’s Best College (according to Forbes Magazine). The West Point curriculum offers 45 majors balancing physical sciences and engineering with humanities and social sciences leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.

Cheyne graduated from St. Paul’s School in 2008 then played a year of Junior hockey with the NH Jr. Monarch in the EJHL. He plans to graduate from West Point in 2013 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

The mission of the U.S. Military Academy is to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the United States Army.

Former Monarchs defensemen, Dominick Dawes, captures NCAA Division III National Championship in first season as Head Coach.

In only his first season at the helm, Neumann’s championship makes Knights’ head coach Dominick Dawes only the second person to ever win a Division III title as both a player and a head coach. It was only six years ago he won it as a player as he was a junior at Norwich when the Cadets won the 2003 national championship.

The only person to previously have accomplished this feat is current St. Norbert head coach Tim Coghlin. Coghlin was a senior defenseman and captained University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to its first national title in 1989, and scored the title as coach with St. Norbert just last year.

“It’s a great accomplishment and it feels good,” he said of the unique claim to fame.

“But I have to thank [Neumann] for giving me the opportunity to lead these guys. I also have to thank [Norwich head coach Mike] McShane for dragging me to Norwich and having those teams he had back there.”

When it comes to winning his title in his first season, Dawes was quick to pass the credit down to those who came before him and built the Knights into a national power in less than a decade.

“This is tremendous and it’s obviously a great accomplishment,” explained Dawes. “But I was pretty fortunate to step into this group. No other [coach] has been fortunate enough to step into a group like this that had this much ability.”

“These guys had the ability when I got here. It was just a matter of coming together and doing it,” he added.

With a national championship in his pocket less than eight months into his head coaching career, Dawes has certainly set the bar high for himself and the Neumann program. Keeping the bar at the lofty heights it now sits at will be the next challenge for Dawes—especially considering the Knights will lose 14 players to graduation this spring.

“From here it’s going to be finding guys to replace this group,” he said regarding the near future. “It’s going to take some work because there are some pretty good players in this group, but we have to go find some players, replace these guys, and get back here.

“These seniors are the guys who made us one of the best teams in the nation over the past couple seasons.”

For now, at least, the “one of the” can be dropped from his comment as the Dawes’ led Knights will forever be in the books as the best team of the 2009 season.

Saint Michael’s captain, Chris Healey, accepts the 2009
Northeast – 10 Championship Trophy and presents it to a sell out crowd at Cairns Arena in South Burlington, VT. Healey was named to the ALL-Tournament Team as well as the Second Team All Conference.

Brian Foster named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month for
February 2009

Brian Foster –
New Hampshire
Junior Goaltender; Pembroke, N.H.
Foster went 6-1-1 in the month with a 1.86 GAA and a .932 save percentage. He allowed two goals or less on six of eight including ending the month with his third shutout of the season, fifth of his career. Foster’s lone loss of the month came as Maine captured a 1-0 win on Feb. 7 on a short-handed one-on-none goal. Foster had 20+ saves in all eight games including a pair of 30+ save performances. Foster ended the month by winning his final five games and was unbeaten in the last six games. He ended the month with 26 saves in a 1-0 shutout win of Merrimack on Feb. 28.

Rheault Gets The Call, Signs
PTO With Monarchs

MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs, the primary affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, have re-signed right wing Jon Rheault to a professional tryout agreement, Monarchs Director of Hockey Operations Hubie McDonough announced today. Rheault, 22, appeared in seven games with the Monarchs at the beginning of this season, recording his first professional goal against the Lowell Devils at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester’s 4-3 shootout loss on October 29. He collected one point (1-0=1) and four penalty minutes while playing for the Monarchs. Rheault graduated from Providence College in May following four seasons and 142 games. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound native of Deering, New Hampshire, registered 56 goals and 49 assists for 105 points and 126 penalty minutes with the Friars. Rheault played with the Manchester Flames and the Junior Monarchs before going to Providence College. He joined the ECHL’s Ontario Reign in early November when the Monarchs released him from his tryout. While playing for Ontario, Rheault collected 14 points (5-9=14) and 29 penalty minutes in 16 games.

Congratulations to Chris Higgins
on his 100th career point

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

BRIAN FLYNN - MAINE
Freshman Forward; Lynnfield, Mass.

Flynn notched the game-winning goal for the Black Bears in the 2-1 win vs. No. 2 BC on Sunday afternoon with 1:34 left in the game.

Brian Foster named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month for October 2008

Brian Foster –
New Hampshire
Junior Goaltender; Pembroke, N.H.
Foster led No. 6 New Hampshire with a 4-1-1 record in the month with a 1.49 GAA and a .951 save percentage with three wins against nationally ranked opponents. He allowed two goals or less in five of those six starts. Foster registered at least 30 saves in four games for the Wildcats. He totaled a season-high 38 saves in the 1-1 tied with UMass on Oct. 24. Foster shutout Rensselaer, 1-0, on Oct. 27 at the Whittemore Center for his third career shutout with the ‘Cats.

Chris Higgins receives the
LEN CEGLARSKI AWARD for INDIVIDUAL SPORTSMANSHIP

This award, named in honor of retired Boston College Head Coach Len Ceglarski, is given by the league to one player who has consistently demonstrated superior conduct and sportsmanship on the ice. The directors of Hockey East established the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award in 1992. Each school nominates one player. The award is then voted upon by head coaches, sports information directors and league officials.

Monarchs Pratt to Hockey East Bound- University of Connecticut!

Another Jr. Monarch to Hockey East...Feeley chooses U.V.M.

Jr. Monarchs Alum Trent Ruffalo wins NCAA National Title with Yale!!!

Rheault headed to the Show! Former Jr. Monarch recalled to NHL's Florida Panthers

Congratulations to Paul Thompson
and Brian Dumoulin

2007 must have been a great vintage!!! Kearney is 6th Monarchs to Sign Pro contract in 1 month.

KEARNEY SIGNS W/SPRINGFIELD, ENJOYS MEMORABLE DEBUT

Thompson and The Penguins

Hockey Defenseman Eric Baier Signs With Reading Royals Of The ECHL

Royals Sign Forward Ian O'Connor

Thompson one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award

Mello named Finalist for league's Player-of-the-Year Award.

Junior James Mello
( NH Jr. Monarchs) has been selected by the ECAC Hockey coaches as one of three finalists for the 2010-11 Ken Dryden Award.

Matt Germain to receive the Joseph V. Macandrew Award

Jeff Fanning semifinalists for the Joe Concanncon Award

Semifinalists for the 59th Walter Brown Award

JAMES MELLO NAMED MLX SKATES GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Dumo sets up GWG for Beanpot Title

Congrats to Paul Thompson - 100 Points!!!

Hockey East POTW Brian Flynn - January 2011

Two former Monarchs earn
weekly Hockey East Honors

Monarch Alumni Earn
Recognition for Hobey

Congrats Dumo! - December 2010

Brian Foster named to New England All Star Team &
Division I All-America Team

Monarchs Pratt to Hockey East Bound- University of Connecticut!

Another Jr. Monarch to Hockey East...Feeley chooses U.V.M.

Jr. Monarchs Alum Trent Ruffalo wins NCAA National Title with Yale!!!

Rheault headed to the Show! Former Jr. Monarch recalled to NHL's Florida Panthers

Congratulations to Paul Thompson and Brian Dumoulin

2007 must have been a great vintage!!! Kearney is 6th Monarchs to Sign Pro contract in 1 month. KEARNEY SIGNS W/SPRINGFIELD, ENJOYS MEMORABLE DEBUT

Thompson and The Penguins

Hockey Defenseman Eric Baier Signs With Reading Royals Of The ECHL

Royals Sign Forward Ian O'Connor

Thompson one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award

Mello named Finalist for league's Player-of-the-Year Award.

Junior James Mello ( NH Jr. Monarchs) has been selected by the ECAC Hockey coaches as one of three finalists for the 2010-11 Ken Dryden Award.

Matt Germain to receive the Joseph V. Macandrew Award

Jeff Fanning semifinalists for the Joe Concanncon Award

Semifinalists for the 59th Walter Brown Award

JAMES MELLO NAMED MLX SKATES GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Dumo sets up GWG for Beanpot Title

Congrats to Paul Thompson - 100 Points!!!

Hockey East POTW Brian Flynn - January 2011

Two former Monarchs earn weekly Hockey East Honors

Monarch Alumni Earn Recognition for Hobey

Congrats Dumo! - December 2010

Brian Foster named to New England All Star Team & Division I All-America Team

Congratulations to Paul Thompson
and Brian Dumoulin

2007 must have been a great vintage!!! Kearney is 6th Monarchs to Sign Pro contract in 1 month.

KEARNEY SIGNS W/SPRINGFIELD, ENJOYS MEMORABLE DEBUT

Junior James Mello
( NH Jr. Monarchs) has been selected by the ECAC Hockey coaches as one of three finalists for the 2010-11 Ken Dryden Award.

Two former Monarchs earn
weekly Hockey East Honors

Monarch Alumni Earn
Recognition for Hobey

Brian Foster named to New England All Star Team &
Division I All-America Team