Stevenson’s Women Squad Incoming Recruits

After a solid season from a team thought to be in a bit of a rebuild mode, the Stevenson Mustangs women’s hockey squad had a stellar second-half and reached the Final Four of the UCHC Tournament under first year head coach Tori Emoff. With five seniors departing, the Mustangs will need to fill up the cupboard with incoming freshman.

To make up for the departures, the Mustang will have seven skates and two goalies incoming to off-set the loss of the five seniors.

FRANKI CAPPELLO: Coming out of Gilmour Academy, Cappello is a smart player who has great anticipation away from the puck. Cappello isn’t one to force a play that isn’t there. Strong in the face-off dot, as well, Cappello is a great addition up the middle for the Mustangs.

EMILY BRIGHTBILL: In her senior season at Annville-Cleona High, Brightbill was able to register 16 points in as many games during the season. Brightbill’s junior career had her spend time with the Hershey Jr. Bears and Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 19U women’s program, with Brightbill helping the latter team win a Mid-Atlantic AAA championship.

KATIE REID: Another player out of the Jr. Flyers program, Reid is an energy player according to Jr. Flyers’ coach Terry Carkner. Reid helped the Jr. Flyers 16U-AA team to a bronze at Nationals during the 2018-19 season. Grit and energy should help the Mustangs get that added boost throughout the season.

CASSIE CAMPBELL: A former captain of the Princeton Tigerlilies, Campbell has a nose for the net, always getting in the right spots in the high percentage areas and burying almost every opportunity. Campbell’s high IQ of positioning should be a great asset to Stevenson.

GRACIE PAYNE: The first rearguard on this list, Payne comes into Stevenson from her hometown of Palmer, Alaska after a solid season with the Valley Thunder and Palmer High School Moose. Payne provided three assists with each squad last season and the hopes is that with time, those numbers will climb as she jumps into college.

AINSLEY KING: The first goalie on our list, King is a quick reflexed goalie, who has great ability to pick up the puck through traffic and steer rebounds into safe areas. Aggressive at cutting down the angles from the top of her crease, King doesn’t seem to put herself too far out of position when second-chance opportunities arise.

SIDNEY HEARN: Another netminder, Hearn comes out of the Shakopee High School system; where Hearn had 13 wins in 22 starts with three shutouts, a 1.99 GAA, and a .921 save percentage as a two season player. Positionally sound, Hearn plays well at the top of her crease.

HANNAH LABBE: After a successful stint with the Anaheim Lady Ducks where she lead the team in goals in 2017-18, Labbe moves to the Boston Shamrocks and then the famed Little Caesars program last season. With a proven scoring touch and drive to get better, Labbe will be a big addition to this young team.

AISHLING CAVANAUGH: Cavanaugh comes to Stevenson from Salve Regina University and the Vermont Academy. A versatile player, Cavanaugh can play any skater position on the ice, while adding size to the team with her 5’8 frame and active stick around the rink.

Mustangs Men’s Team Finalize 2020-21 Freshman Class

Even with the uncertainty going on, it has to be business as usual for college hockey teams. In that, the Stevenson University Mustangs men’s program has finalize their incoming class for the season. The team unveiled their newest players over the last month on their Twitter account, but why not put it in one spot for all to see??

There are 14 skaters and a lone goalie in this new class. With only 12 skaters and goalie departing from last season, there will be a lot of tough calls for head coach Dominick Dawes on how he’s able to manage the roster if these freshmen are to breakout in a big way.

ERIC OLSON: Olson will be very familiar with Maryland hockey fans, as he was the captain of the Jamestown Rebels this last season and had a tendency to let his emotions get the best of him. That said, he was a solid forward with 36 points in 56 games last season. The Calgary native has bounced around three leagues in his last two seasons, but does provide solid upside and plenty of solid play in the dirty areas.

BLAKE COLMAN: The big defenseman from Needham, Massachusetts found his scoring touch this last season with Islanders HC in the NCDC with five goals and 28 points in only 36 games after being moved to the Islanders a quarter of the way into the season. Whether or not he’ll be able to continue that and get his ice time with the Mustangs will be battled out at camp.

BRENDAN RYLOTT: Primarily playing in the OJHL, Rylott was able to mature as he got consistent playing time with the Burlington Cougars last season. A serviceable forward will help the Mustangs with some secondary scoring and as an energy component for the upcoming season and beyond.

JACK GOODMAN: Another defenseman on the bigger side, Goodman was the alternate captain for the New Hampshire Avalanche of the EHL. Goodman comes from the PAL Junior Islanders program before his only season in the EHL and will be more of a stay-at-home defenseman, which should compliment Colman very well.

MAC LOWRY: Lowry comes to Stevenson after a storied career with his hometown Cobourg Cougars, where his #46 was retired after his last game there. Playing all five season with his hometown team, Lowry will provide solid offensive prowess up the middle and a winning pedigree, as Lowry was a part of the RBC Cup champions (Junior A Championship in Canada) during the 2016-17 season.

JJ FECTEAU: The Georgia native could be coming into Stevenson with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after a down season with the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL. Prior to that, Fecteau showed off in the USPHL with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers with 51 points in 44 games during the 2018-19 campaign. With something to prove, Fecteau could be one to watch coming into Stevenson.

JUSTIN VICKERS: A two-position player at forward and defense, Vickers does possess some offensive ability from the blueline with the New Jersey 87s in the EHL. As he’s gone along in his career, Vickers has improved each season and shows no signs of stopping that trend going into the NCAA ranks.

EVAN BEERS: Beers found a home with the Vermont Lumberjacks last season after bouncing around in 2018-19. With a solid home, Beers was able to show his worth with 23 assists in 46 games from the blueline. Though he’s not as tall as his other incoming defenders, Beers’ offensive play could help him break into the line-up now and again.

ZACH EGBER: After having a point per game partial season with New Jersey in the EHL in 2018-19, Egber had his scoring drop when he went to Twin City of the NCDC this past season. However, the intangibles that Egber brings to the table is what make him an alternate captain with the Twin City Thunder the past season.

MARK TOSTI: Spending the last three season with the Philadelphia Revolution in the EHL, Tosti was able to garner a leadership role for the Revolution this past season and had his best year yet with 44 points in 45 games, which he hope to keep going in his first year of college hockey.

CADEN HALVERSON: The Texas native came through the Dallas Stars AAA program before moving east and landing with the Charlotte Rush of the USPHL last season. Halverson can provide both on the goal side of the scoresheet and as a set-up man, as well.

MATT DOUGHTERY: Probably a hidden gem in this recruiting class, Doughtery was a huge contributor with the Richmond Generals the past two seasons in both their Elite and Premier program. As he moved up the rungs of hockey, Doughtery has been able to answer the call with each advancement and should be one to look at as a Rookie of the Year contender.

ALEX McBEY: Another Texas native signed on with the Mustangs, as McBey moves over to Stevenson after two years with the Philadelphia Little Flyers of the EHL. With 19 goals and 53 points in 79 games, McBey should be a solid contributor down the line charts.

MATT KRIEGER: Some growing pains in his move to the NCDC coming out of high school, Krieger will need to find his way through the line-up and use his intangibles to help himself solidify a spot on the roster as a freshman.

MATT LANE: The long netminder in the class, Lane posted a 1.81 GAA and .940 save percentage with New Hampshire in the EHL. While he might be hard pressed to usurp Ryan Kenny between the pipes, the rookie should get some looks as the year goes on.

Hello and Welcome!!

When thinking about it over and again– I’ve decided to make the Chesapeake Hockey Week into a sort of blog– now known as ClutchAndCrab.com.

This decision was due to making sure my writing about Maryland hockey had it’s own place outside of my regular blog and that the podcast had a home that was more than just a Facebook page or podcast hosting site. It just makes sense to have one spot for it all.

Having a dedicated spot is always a good thing for the greater good, especially when it’s a simple website to give out rather than the other options. So, enjoy, follow, and all that. Once we get news, we’ll put it up here.