Hamilton posts 2013-14 roster

Joe Quattrocchi ('14) mans the net for Hamilton (source)

Hamilton has released its roster for 2013-14, and at 29 players it's bigger than last year's 26 man team. A rash of injuries last season, including to 2011-12 leading goal scorerMike DiMare (F, '14), left the Continentals dressing all available players at some points of the season. After graduating six players, the Conts added nine freshman  to join the 20 returners.

The offensively challenged Continentals, who finished second to last in scoring in conference games at 2.33 goals per game, return four of their top five scorers.  No one on the team, however, finished with double digit goals and the Conts graduated their surprise leading scorer from last year, assistant captain Anthony Ruberto (F, '13). If  2010-11 NESCAC Rookie of the Year and 2011-12 All-NESCAC First Team forward Dimare can come back healthy, he should easily break into double digit goals. 

Offensive minded blueliner Marko Brelih (D, '16) led the team with 20 points (7-13-20) and earned Second Team All-NESCAC honors. Kenny Matheson (F, '16), brother of BC defenseman and Florida Panthers draft pick Mike Matheson , suffered a concussion early in the season, but came back late in the year to lead the team in points per game at .89 with 8 points (2-6-8) in 9 games. Hamilton will also look to junior forward Pat Curtis (F, '15) to up his production.

Senior Evan Haney (F, '14) returns as captain and will be joined by assistant captains Matheson and DiMare. Matheson looks poised to follow the path of Haney, who was an assistant captain as a sophomore and then captain his junior and senior seasons.

The recruits have already showed some promise, as OJHL product Robbie Murden (F. '17) scored in the Conts 5-2 win in last weekend's unofficial scrimmage against SUNY Canton. BCHL veteran Bennet Hambrook (D, '17) and EJHL defenseman Bradley Smelstor (D, '17) should provided immediate help at the blueline. The defensive crew will in general be inexperienced at the collegiate level, with senior Bennett Schneider (D, '14) being the only blueliner from the class of '14 or '15 on the roster.

In net, the Conts return seasoned veteran Joe Quattrocchi (G, '14), who has played in 52 games in his time at Hamilton. His numbers aren't as flashy as some of the top goaltenders in the conference, but Quattrocchi is a solid netminder and his play will be key to Hamilton making the NESCAC playoffs and making a run if and when they get there.  Quattrocchi will be backed up by prep schooler Charlie Fennell (G, '17) and junior Zach Arnold (G, '15), who is still looking for his first collegiate netminding minutes. 

Read More: Hamilton Athletics - - 2013-14 Roster