By Warren Kozireski
RIT won the conference regular season title in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Then they were devastated to lose their top four scorers in the portal before last season. The results were predictable as they finished third from last before being eliminated in the first round of the play-offs by eight-seed AIC.
Longtime head coach Wayne Wilson and associate head coach Brian Hills retired and now former Tiger captain Matt Thomas is trying to restore the program as the eighth hockey head coach in school history.
He brings 26 years of experience in both the NCAA Division I and professional ranks, including the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the Providence Bruins – the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL Boston Bruins.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to my alma mater…I do miss The Ritter (Arena), but it’s an incredible opportunity for me to get closer to Toronto, where I’m from, and I’m very excited to be working with our team,” Thomas said during the AHA Media Day call.
“We’re bringing back 16 players, which is great, and adding 11 newcomers (four transfers). We have five players with OHL (Ontario Hockey League) experience this year and I think that will continue.”
Junior Christian Catalano is the top player returning after his 23-point campaign, with senior Simon Isabelle the only other returner in double figures last season, so there are plenty of openings on the top two lines.
The transfers include forward Austin Brimmer, who scored 21 points in 32 games with Long Island University, and forward Boris Skalos from Mercyhurst.
The Tigers enter the season furthest on defense, with sophomore Tristan Allan and senior Xavier Lapointe combining for 30 points a year ago. Senior Gustav Blom and juniors Kevin Scott and Crossley Stewart add experience on the blueline.
Sophomore Jakub Krbecek started 18 games in net last season and senior Trent Burnham started eight, but Ottawa 67 (OHL) rookie Collin MacKenzie was able to push for playing time after being the number one pick last season.
The Tigers welcome Clarkson for the annual Brick City Homecoming game at Rochester Blue Cross Arena on Oct. 18 and will also join Union, Miamai and Sacred Heart in the Friendship Four over Thanksgiving weekend in Belfast, Ireland.
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