Hockey Recruits
By Gary Braham 5-17-2000
updated 8-17-00
With an amazing senior class on the way out the door, let's look at the players who are coming onto the team.
Paul Kelley- Left Wing- 5'9" 185 lbs- From the Quesnel Millionaires in the BCHL.
Ok, I was scared when I saw this dudes picture, long hair, black eye, missing some teeth. However, it now looks like he might be one of the guys to watch. He comes to us from the British Columbia Hockey League, a tough Junior league up in Canada. He had a slow beginning last season, and did not play all the games. He still netted 22 goals and had 35 assists, and a high number of penalty minutes. He was a small guy, but he liked to play big. Lots of speed as well. Kelley served as an assistant captain last season. He was voted his teams most dedicated, and fan favorite, look for him to make an impact.
Rob Brown- Defense- 5'11" 175 lbs- From the Brockville Braves in the Central Ontario Canadian junior hockey league.
Brown's heart and determination to improve was what caught Colgate's eye. In fact, in an article on Brockville's site, there were about 10 NCAA teams looking at him, including some big names. But Colgate told him he would be dressing his freshman year, so we got him. He was all league second team for a team that would finish second in the league as well. Brown was happy to accept the scholarship to a good school, and thinks hes a good fit for Colgate. Coach Vaughan looks foward to getting another good competitor on his team. In addition to being a top defensemen, he was also second in the league for defensemen in scoring. He has showed a lot of potential to improve and is a good match for Colgate academically.
Tucker Veenis- Defense- 6'2" 205 lbs- From Salisbury, a private HS in the USA
The big defensemen made his mark senior year as his teams assistant captain. He led the teams defensemen in scoring and assists. His team seemed to be average, but he was selected for the leagues all star team. He has also recieved scholastic awards.
Matt Nicholson- Defense- 6'1" 210 lbs- From the Strathroy Rockets of the Western Ontario junior hockey league
Yes, from the same team that gave us Andy McDonald. Only played in about 80% of the teams games, was still second in penalty minutes. 4 goals, 12 assists. We'll have to wait to see him play I guess.
Kyle Doyle- Center- 5'9" 170 lbs- From the Petrolia Jets of the Western Ontario junior hoceky league.
Looks like he got to play in all the games and usually started at center. Led the team in goals and assists with 33 and 46, this made him teh 4th highest scorer in the league. Still a high number of penalty minutes. His team was near the bottom of the league, so he might do even better with a top program like Colgate. Doyle was a three year assistant captain of his team. His last season, he was the teams MVP and got to play in the leagues all star game.
David Cann- Goalie-6'2" 185 lbs -From the Mississauga Chargers in the Ontario Provincial Junior "A" Hockey league
He was the teams top goalie, seeing action in 35 games. He had a GAA of 4.55. This seems a bit high, but it should be noted that the team finished below average in the league. His GAA was about one and a half more goals than the average in the league. Time will tell with this one.
There's a lot of hope and potential with this class. Some of the players are already established, some show large amounts of potential. The exposure we got at the NCAA's this year and coach Vaughan's ECAC coach of the year award proablly helped the cause a lot too, and will continute to do do over the next couple of seasons. The Red Raider's lost a lot, but they are looking to reload quickly!