Western Mass Treasure Chest of Hockey Players

Western Mass Hockey Players Update - Professional, College, and College Bound

Danny Petrick - Outstanding defensive player who can also put up points. While still in high school Danny played, and played well, for the Springfield Pics in the USPHL Premier Division, a very fast and physical brand of East Coast Junior Hockey. Now in preparing for his college commitment at Northeastern University in the tough Hockey East Conference, he is playing for the Austin (Minnesota) Bruins in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He is continuing to put up points as a defensive player with 7 goals and 5 assists so far this season. He was selected as the NAHL - Bauer Defensive Player of the Month for his 4 goals and 2 assists in a single month.

Charlie Kelleher - One of the most impressive up and coming players. He is committed to the University of New Hampshire in following his brother, Tyler. My own opinion, he could be playing and starring for them now! He is currently playing for the Tri-City Storm in the USHL with 17 points in 21 games. That ain't easy to do in that league.

Tyler Kelleher - University of New Hampshire, burning up Hockey East and Division I College Hockey with 30 points in 16 games, including 12 goals and 18 assists. He is second in the nation in points, only 1 behind the leader. The NHL is nuts if they don't draft him!

Mickey Foley - Skidmore College, a solid player as a junior for Skidmore with a respectable 6-4-1 record with some impressive wins.

Ryan Cloonan - Boston University, a sophomore forward for BU in the tough Hockey East Conference with a record of 8-4-2. BU is 5th ranked nationally in DI Hockey.

Cullen Geary - Bowdoin College, a solid defensive player for the Polar Bears who now have a record of 3-4 so far this season. Cullen is a junior.

Dominic Blad - UMass Boston. A freshman on what could be a very good team with a lot of freshmen players on the roster. Last year UMass played in the D III Frozen Four at Lake Placid. There is little doubt that Coach Peter Belisle will have this nationally ranked team in the hunt for post season play by season's end.

Anthony Blad - Senior at Suffield High, playing with the Springfield Pics in the USPHL has now evolved to become a solid defensive player. In contact with several DI and DIII colleges for Engineering and hockey.

Peter Crinella - Holy Cross College, now a sophomore after being a rare true freshman with no Junior play. Scored goals recently against Notre Dame and the Air Force Academy. The Crusaders have a 6-5-3 record.

Matt Foley - Yale University, doing an amazing job with a lot of playing time as a freshman. He has 2 assists in 9 games as a freshman defensive player.

Sean Kavanagh - Tufts University, a solid defensive player as a senior for Tufts that has a very respectable record of 5-1-1 to date. Sean has 5 points in 7 games so far.

Jack Williams - Franklin Pierce University. The Ravens have a 6-6 record so far this year. Jack is a sophomore defensive player with 3 assists so far. A tragedy earlier this year with the sudden, unexpected passing of the head coach.

Bryce Peritz - Suffolk University. Bryce is a freshmen defensive player for Suffolk with a record of 3-6-3 so far this season.

Austin Orszulak - American International College. Austin is a senior, Captain of the Yellow Jackets, and has 5 goals and 2 assists thus far in the season.

Artie Potter - UMass Amherst Club, wanted to concentrate on his Engineering studies as a freshman, but now as a sophomore (no surprise) is a standout on the UMass Team.

Tanner Zacharewicz, Kyle Zacharewicz UMass Dartmouth. Tanner is a senior and Kyle a junior, both solid players for UMass. It was fun seeing the brothers play in the same line vs. UMass Boston.

Joe Mazza - Western New England University. Joe is a sophomore defensive player for the Golden Bears. He has 3 assists so far this season on a team with a 4-6-1 record.

Frank Vatrano - Boston Bruins. Injured, but will be back on the ice in December for the Bruins. The Bruins can definitely use his ability to score.

Barry Almeida* - A 2 time National Champion with Boston College, Barry now plays professional hockey with the Coventry Blaze, British Elite Hockey League. He has 2 goals and 5 assists in 6 games so far, not bad!

Willy Smith - playing hockey for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL, he has 3 goals and 4 assists so far.

Johnny Leonard - Can't wait to see him play for UMass Amherst ! He is currently playing in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers where he has 8 goals and 4 assists in 23 games so far.

Keith Petruzzelli - In preparing for his college career at Quinnipiac he is currently playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. Definite NHL interest in Keith.

DJ Petruzzelli - DJ is currently playing for the Springfield Jr. Blues in the North American Hockey League. He also had some great experience last season playing in the British Columbia Hockey League, all in prep for his college career at Quinnipiac.

Jake Ryczek - Providence bound, drafted by the NHL Chicago Black Hawks, now playing with the Watererloo Black Hawks in the USHL.

TJ Syner* - Former UMass star, pro hockey with the Coventry Blaze, British Elite Hockey League. A teammate of Barry Almeida.

Coaches / Scouts - RECRUIT Western Mass ! A smart move. 

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* It would be nice to see Barry Almeida and TJ Syner be considered for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL. Both excellent players and a good marketing move to have Western Mass players on the team.

Most all of the above players play in the Olympia Ice Center's (West Springfield, MA) Summer A League, one of the best off season hockey leagues in the nation. Look at the talent !

It is also fun to see many of the above players compete against each other in the USHL and in college. Recently Peter Crinella (Holy Cross) played against Matt Foley (Yale) in the Shillelagh Tournament at Notre Dame. (Sounds a little Irish to me!)

Many of the above players played for Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA


Alfredo DiLascia
Image News Service