NEWS

The Niagara University ACHA Purple Eagles are very happy introduce their 2015-2016 recruiting class. This year’s class is full of talented, determined, and hardworking individuals. Collectively, these individuals are just what Niagara is looking to add to a close knit group players that have already tasted some recent success. Niagara would like to welcome Nick Smtih, Bryan Komarsara, Robbie McNamara, Jake Nichols, and Dave Hazelet to the Niagara family.

As previously posted, Niagara welcomes top local prospect Nick Smith to the 2015-2016 roster. The 20 year old North Tonawanda native will join the roster as an important addition to the powerful offense. When asked about his recruiting process, Smith says that he was heavily recruited by coaches Brzeczkowski and Mooradian while he was playing for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, but chose Niagara primarily because of the opportunity it offered him to continue playing close to home. As far as his expectation out of the season, Smith is expecting a big year out of the team. He feels that NU has the ability to repeat their league championship and hopes that the team will continue to have success in the ACHA national championship. And his off-ice hobbies? Smith enjoys water sports.

Also joining the team is Bryan Komasara. He is a 21 year old from Amherst, NY and is another player with local ties. One of the reasons he chose Niagara is his familiarity with Dwyer Arena, having grown up playing here. Most recently, Komasara played for the Niagara Jr. Whalers in the GMHL, where he put up 6 goals and 2 assists in only 5 games. Previously, he split the 2013-2014 season between the Boston Jr. Bandits of the EHL, where he had 13 goals and 5 assists in 28 games, and the Welland Jr. Canadians of the GOJHL, where he acquired 13 goals and 5 assists in 13 games. As far as his recruiting process. Komasara says that already knowing Larry helped him make his decisions. The recruiting staff was extremely impressed with what Coach Larry calls an “NHL caliber slapshot,” and after Larry and Assistant Recruiter Nate Miller saw Komasara in Port Colborne, the recruitment was a no brainer. As far as this season, Komasara expects to start in the same position as last year, with the only road being forward. Personally, Komasara is hoping to step in and play, whatever his role may be, and have fun doing it. Off the ice, Komasara enjoys movies and TV shows when relaxing.

The next recruit will be a familiar face for Bryan Komasara, as the team adds Robbie McNamara of the Niagara Jr. Whalers. McNamara had 26 goals and 19 assists in 40 regular season games, and is another local addition to the NU roster. He looks forward to being able to commute for school and play in an arena he is familiar with. His personal goals include fighting for a spot on the ice every day, and growing closer to his teammates. McNamara is extremely committed to the team and will be an impressive addition to the team’s all around offense. He is extremely excited to start his college career and begin the next chapter of his life, both in academics and athletics.

No stranger to winning recruits, Niagara welcomes goaltender Jake Nichols to the purple and black. As a starter for the Canisius High School Varsity Federation hockey team, Nichols was instrumental in leading his team to a thrilling victory over rival St. Joe’s at the First Niagara Center, and then a convincing victory in the state championship, played right here at Dwyer. Assistant Recruiter Nate Miller says about Nichols “when you have a guy who goes 8-2-2 in a tough league and has a 1.44 Goals Against Average, you know you’ve got somebody special. Jake is powerful in the net, and takes up a lot of room, reads the play well, and can only improve.” Nichols is likely to improve behind new captain Mike Parda, who was arguably the best goaltender in the ACHA last year. The icing on the cake for Miller and Brzeczkowski in the recruiting process, however, was watching Nichols leave the net in the third period of the championship game so that his teammate, a senior goaltender, could get the official championship win.

The final addition to the NU 2015-2016 roster is defenseman Dave Hazelet. Hazelet is already a Niagara University student, and had an excellent tryout last year, but decided to remain with the Jr. Purple Eagles and attempt to carry that team to a national championship. He is an offensive defenseman who can realistically play forward or defense, and his prowess with the puck is something that makes him a valuable asset to the team. Miller on Hazelet “He’s strong, he’s smart, and he’s already here at NU, it made logistical sense. Every skate, tryout, he’s out there giving 110 percent and he absolutely has earned his spot on the team. We look forward to seeing what he can do.”

The Purps are excited about the upcoming season. In less than two months Niagara will be back school and back on the ice. Although the season is right around the corner, there is still a lot of time to enjoy the warm weather of summer and play some golf. Stay tuned for information on the Niagara University ACHA Annual Golf Tournament!