GLOUCESTER, MA - The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) once again recognized varsity players across all Divisions of NCAA collegiate ice hockey for their exceptional results in the classroom. This year, any athletes who managed to achieve a 3.75 GPA in each of the two semesters were bestowed the honor, achieving AHCA All-American Scholar status. To be eligible, all athletes must have also competed in 40% of the team's games, and waivers were granted to backup goaltenders and injured players.
 
Last week, the AHCA released their list of 1,123 total Division III honorees: 664 men and 459 women. Of this long roster featuring Division III's most successful ice hockey scholars, the Pioneer hockey programs accounted for 24 of the honorees. The Utica women's ice hockey team saw nine players achieve All-American Scholar status, while the Utica men's hockey team honored 15 players.
 
Each of these athletes stood out in the classroom, and they were all rewarded for their spectacular efforts with a spot among the country's most elite scholars.
 
Here is the list of Pioneers who achieved the AHCA All-America Scholar honor.
 
Utica women's hockey honorees:
Tess Barrett (Tewksbury, MA/St. Mark's), JR, D
Kendall Best (Troy, MI/Troy HS / Belle Tire), FR, F
Lauryn Brown (Eden, NY/Syracuse Valley Eagles), SR, G
Emma Corbett (Rochester, NY/Adrian College (NCAA DIII)), GR, D
Kelsey Elliott (Attleboro, MA/East Coast Wizards), JR, F
Sydney Mintz (Kelowna, BC/Okanagan Hockey Academy), SO, F
Hailey Modlin (Phoenix, AZ/Boston Shamrocks), GR, F
Ally Nolan (Westford, MA/Chatham University (NCAA DIII)), GR, F
Alex Venning (Courtice, ON/Ottawa Jr. 67s), SR, G
 
Utica men's hockey honorees:
Anthony Bax (Parkhill, ON/Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)), FR, D
Jakob Breault (Acton Vale, QC/Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA DI)), GR, CF
Preston Brighton (Brighton, MI/Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL)), SO, D
Anthony Cafarelli (Middleton, MA/Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL)), FR, F
Chris Carroll (Islip, NY/New Jersey Titans (NAHL)), JR, F
Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, ON/Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)), SO, F
Alexander Gullichsen (Turku, Finland/Aberdeen Wings (NAHL)), SO, F
Bryan Landsberger (Montreal, Quebec/Nepean Raiders (CCHL)), SR, G
Gabriel Lundberg (Gothenburg, Sweden/Janesville Jets (NAHL)), SO, F
Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, ON/Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)), SO, D
Justin Rapp (St. Louis, MO/Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)), FR, F
Brian Scoville (Agawam, MA/Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA DI)), GR, D
Avery Sturtz (Cedar Rapids, IA/Maine Nordiques (NAHL)), JR, G
Eric Vitale (Toronto, ON/Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)), SO, F
Matt Wood (Garnet Valley, PA/Richmond Generals (USPHL)), SR, F
 
Here is a link to the full AHCA All-American Scholars press release: https://ahcahockey.com/news/2425/0717d3aas.php