Amherst releases 2013-14 roster and season preview

So. Conor Brown (source) should be a key
contributor for Amherst in 2013-14

The Amherst Lord Jeffs have released their 2013-14 roster and a season preview.  The 25 man roster is made up of 22 veterans and three recruits.  All 22 non-seniors from last year's team return, with the other eight from the 30 man roster having graduated. With four goalies this year, there isn't much room for injuries with only 21 skaters on the roster. Coach Jack Arena's son Pat Arena (F, '16) should play in more games than the three he dressed for in his rookie season.

After a fourth place finish in the NESCAC regular season and a disappointing first round exit at home against Middlebury in the 2012-13 NESCAC playoffs, the Lord Jeffs return to the ice with some questions. For starters, they lost two of their top three point scorers in Johnny Van Siclen (F, '13) (14-12-26) and Mike Moher (F, '13) (8-16-24). With a small recruiting class of only three - only one being a forward - the Lord Jeffs will need to look mostly internally in the roster to replace the lost production. The one rookie forward, Chris Roll, should contribute right away having put up solid numbers in the CCHL.

Key returners to the fourth best offense from the 'Cac last season (3.11 goals per game in league games) include second leading point scorer Mike Rowbotham (F, '15) (7-18-25) as well as second and third leading goal scorers, senior co-captains Andrew Kurlandski (F, '14) (12-9-21) and Brian Safstrom (F, '15) (11-8-19). Sophomore Conor Brown (F, '16) had eighteen points (7-11-18) in his rookie campaign and worked his way up to the first line by season's end. Junior Mike Cashman (F, '15)  earned playing time on a loaded 2011-12 team that won the NESCAC and went all the way to the D-III Frozen Four. In 29 games as a freshman he had 13 points (2-11-13). Last year, however, he was stricken by injuries and he only had five points (1-4-5) in 14 games.

On the defensive end, the Lord Jeffs lost key defenders in 2013 2nd Team All-NESCAC member Brandon Hew (D, '13) and Jamie Hawkrigg (D, '13). Six blueliners return led by junior Aaron Deutsch (D, '15).  California native and NAHL recruit Austin Ho (D, '17) should see playing time as well for the Lord Jeffs, who finished third in conference play with 2.11 goals allowed per contest.

All New England Prep School goalie Dave Cunningham (G, '16)) served as the primary backup for Nathan Corey (G, '13) last season, garnering a (4-1-1) record in seven games; Cunningham had a 1.49 GAA and .927 save percentage. With Corey graduating, Cunningham should have the starting job this season. Prep school recruit Adam Ellison (G, '17) will compete with seldom used veterans Johnny Russell (G, '14) and Danny Vitale (G, 15) for backup minutes. 

Seven of the ten NESCAC rosters are now up. We are still waiting on Conn College, Hamilton and Trinity. 

Read More: Amherst Athletics - - 2013-14 Roster

Read More: Amherst Athletics - - Men's Hockey Primed for Success in 2013-14