Utica, NY - The Pioneers, fresh off of securing the program's 10th straight conference regular season title, were well represented on this year's UCHC and Empire 8 All-Conference teams. The orange and blue, thanks to their stellar accomplishments, saw eight of their top players get honored among the UCHC or Empire 8 All-Conference teams, while also seeing head coach Gary Heenan get honored as the UCHC's top coach. Below are all the team's All-Conference honors from this season!

Gary Heenan | UCHC Coach of the Year: Longtime Utica head coach Gary Heenan proved why he is one of the most respected leaders in Division III Hockey as he was honored, once again, as the UCHC Coach of the Year. In his 25th season, Heenan led the Pioneers through an insanely tough non-conference campaign, holding a spot in the USCHO rankings for the entire season so far. With him at the helm, the Pioneers have piled up 18 wins, also grabbing 13 conference victories en route to the team's 10th straight conference regular season title. As the program's founder, Heenan has built the program from the ground up, leading it from its early stages, all the way to an NCAA National Championship appearance last season. Heenan also grabbed his 400th career win earlier this year, placing him among the winningest active coaches in collegiate hockey across all divisions.

Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, Ontario) | UCHC & Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year | Second Team All-UCHC and All-Empire 8 | Empire 8 Tomorrow's Leader's Team:
Junior forward Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, Ontario) was one of the Pioneers' most essential players this season, comfortably filling the void left by longtime center Jakob Breault (Acton Vale, QC/Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA DI)). Della Rovere has consistently dominated the faceoff circle all year, contributing heavily to key situations. The top-line center has totalled 11 goals and 14 assists this season, while dominating the faceoff circle with 400 faceoff wins at a .668% rate, which is the fourth best single-season faceoff win percentage in program history as of right now. A cornerstone of Utica's penalty-kill unit, he was instrumental in shutting down opposing power plays throughout conference action. His outstanding two-way performance earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors in both the UCHC and Empire 8, along with Second Team All-UCHC and Second Team Empire 8 recognition, and a spot on the conference's Tomorrow's Leaders list, a reflection of both his on ice impact and his leadership during a championship-caliber season.

First Team Selections:

Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI) | First Team All-UCHC & All-Empire 8: Senior forward Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI) capped off a stellar season by being named to the UCHC and Empire 8 First Team All-Conference, a fitting tribute to his leadership and offensive excellence for the Utica Pioneers. This season, Morse has 16 racked up goals and gathered 16 assists, totalling 32 points. The Pioneers captain led the team in scoring thanks to a big surge during UCHC play, also making an impact in critical moments throughout the entire schedule. His huge junior season has seen him raise his career totals to 35 goals, 50 assists, and 85 points. His pair of first team selections showcases not just his impressive statistics, but also the way he raised his level of play when it matters most, playing a key role in Utica's regular-season championship run and driving the team's success deep into the postseason.

Preston Brighton (Castle Rock, CO) | First Team All-Empire 8: Junior defenseman Preston Brighton (Castle Rock, CO) also earned Empire 8 First Team honors thanks to his stellar play at the back end. Brighton, the Pioneers' defensive captain, had a season that was defined by his blend of defensive reliability and offensive contribution, having 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points while logging heavy minutes for the Pioneers. He also came up huge in clutch situations, scoring a massive goal towards the end of the Pioneers' Teddy Bear Toss victory over Oswego. His first team recognition reflects both his statistical production and the respect he earned from coaches around the league as one of the conference's premier defensemen.

Second Team Selections:

Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, ON) | Second Team All-UCHC: Junior defenseman Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, ON) used his solid play and composed decision making to help shore up the Pioneer blue line this season. One of the Pioneers' veteran defenders, Parekh has made his impact known despite not having the most explosive playstyle. His precision on defense and his forward-thinking play have helped the Pioneer defender achieve his second straight all-conference honor, as his all-around excellence earned him Second Team All-UCHC honors. Parekh's consistency as a reliable contributor was a key piece of Utica's success this season.

Nick Ahern (Chicago, IL) | Second Team All-UCHC: Junior forward Nick Ahern (Chicago, IL) used his pinpoint accuracy and stellar offensive instincts to power his way to an All-UCHC Second Team selection. Ahern was one of the Pioneers' top scoring threats this season, scoring goals at every level of the game to help the orange and blue offense keep its edge. Ahern racked up 11 goals and 16 assists, contributing 27 points in his first season since transferring from Division I Vermont. Ahern was also especially effective on the power play, having six man advantage goals to his name during the Pioneers' 25th Anniversary season.

Third Team Selections:

John Gutt (Middletown, NJ) | Third Team All-UCHC: Senior forward John Gutt (Middletown, NJ) capped off a standout season by earning Third Team All-UCHC honors, a recognition that reflects both his offensive production and his steady presence in all three zones. Gutt had a breakout season in his senior campaign, with 12 goals and 14 assists helping him total 26 points, placing him among the team's top scorers. Gutt's consistency in creating scoring opportunities, driving play forward, and contributing in clutch moments throughout the season made him one of the Pioneers' most reliable forwards. He was also reliable from the dot, showcasing his versatility as he racked up 189 faceoff wins to pair with his outstanding scoring output. Gutt's leadership and all-around contributions were key components of Utica's success, and his Third Team UCHC selection highlights the respect he earned from coaches and opponents alike. 

UCHC All-Rookie Team Selections:

Stepan Kuznetsov (Yaroslavl, Russia) | UCHC All-Rookie Team: Freshman forward Stepan Kuznetsov (Yaroslavl, Russia) made an immediate impact for the Utica Pioneers after transferring from Western New England in December. The rookie went wild in the 15 games since, scoring six goals and grabbing 11 assists on his way to producing over a point per game, impressive totals for a first-year forward and a big reason Utica's offense was effective down the stretch. His standout freshman campaign has earned him UCHC All-Rookie honors, a well-deserved recognition of the role he played in the Pioneers' success and a strong indicator of the impact he'll have in the years ahead.

Sal Cerrato (St. Louis, MO) | UCHC All-Rookie Team: Freshman defender Sal Cerrato (St. Louis, MO) made an immediate impact this season, dating all the way back to the opening few contests of the season. With two goals and 17 assists, Cerrato showcased his playmaking ability for the Pioneers, using his quickness and evasiveness at the blue line to create openings. His consistent effort and rapid development did not go unnoticed, as he was also named to the UCHC All-Rookie team. Cerrato's strong first year has set the foundation for an exciting collegiate career, and his freshman success was a valuable piece of the Pioneers' journey this season.

The Pioneers will welcome SUNY Geneseo in this Saturday's UCHC Championship Game. The Pioneers, with a win, would claim their sixth UCHC Tournament Title along with the conference's autobid to the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers, in this scenario, would almost certainly host first round action. This Saturday's showdown is schedule for 7:00 PM down at the Adirondack Bank Center. Grab your tickets now using the link below!

Link: https://empirestatetix.evenue.net/events/UCP