9.2

SPORTS

Former NU hockey stars sign with pros

By Sean Dolan
Norwich Guidon staff

The Norwich hockey team has proven their recruiting success, having five professional contracts awarded to former players. All five of these players played on the team that won the Division III National Championship in 2003-04, and some are now pros.

Phil Aucoin (Memphis River Kings;); Matt Schmidt, Lou DiMasi (Augusta Lynx;); Dominick Dawes (Macon Trax); Nick Cote (Lubbock Cotton Kings), have all signed contracts with minor league teams. Although these contracts do not ensure them a place on the team, the players are given a tryout along with paid expenses to go to the tryout, along with room and board. They’re also paid $600 per week on average, said Norwich hockey coach Mike McShane.

While at Norwich, McShane has compiled a 174-52-8 record. McShane has led the Cadets to five ECAC East regular season titles, the ECAC Tournament four times, and has taken the Cadets to the NCAA playoffs five times, where he has made the championships twice. Even more remarkable is that he accomplished this in only seven years of coaching the program.

Schmidt from Markham, Ontario, finished second on the team in goals last season with 18, 14 of those coming off a power play.

DeMasi was sixth in team scoring last season, but the 6-1, 190 lb. defenseman took the opposite route to his point total, notching six goals and 18 assists during the year.

For his career, the 6-2, 184 lb. Schmidt amassed 73 goals and 54 assists, adding up to 127 points total in 113 games. DeMasi totaled 115 contests in his four years, scoring 21 goals and 80 points in all.

“Up front, Schmidt adds good size and ability to help us offensively,” said Lynx Head Coach. Director of Hockey Operations, Stan Drulia. “DeMasi can step in and be a solid defensive addition for us. He’s shown the ability to also contribute offensively, while taking care of play in his own end.”

Aucoin, who hails from Chelmsford Mass., attributes his success to his parents taking the expense of sending him to the best hockey camps and having him play on many teams over the years.

“Everyone I’ve talked to says that Phil is a gritty, energetic player,” said River Kings’ head coach Mark Richards. “He’s a young guy with the ability to improve, and we need guys like that.”

“You have to work hard for a while in the minor leagues and hope you have a few good years to get called up to play professional hockey,” Aucoin said.

Aucoin came to Norwich without the intent of playing professional hockey, but after his junior year, he received a call from the River Kings, saying if he kept playing well they would give him the opportunity to play in for them in the future.

Cote of E. Swanzey, NH, who transferred to Norwich form Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, got 83 goals in 102 games.

“Nick has showed that he can score at the college level,” said Dashney. “He has good size and a proven touch around the net,” according to CHLfans.com

Dawes, a 5’9” defensemen from Utica, NY, was a force throughout his career at Norwich.

“Always an offensive threat from the blue line, Dawes had a knack for sneaking in from the back and scoring big goals for the Cadets, including a game-winning goal in last year’s NCAA championship winning run against the Trinity Bantams,” according to the Norwich University website.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.