NCAA: Three Atlantic Hockey Teams Add Goalies For This Fall

Bentley was in the market for a goaltender and picked up one yesterday when Green Bay (USHL) goalie Nicholas Grabko committed to the Falcons.

Grabko is an Illinois native and a 2000-born netminder who is 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. He was very good for the Gamblers this season, posting a .917 save percentage and a 2.58 GAA. Grabko has posted a save percentage of .910 or better in every season since his 16U year with the Chicago Mission.

“Grabko is a smaller butterfly goalie who is great on his edges, has powerful pushes and has great awareness in his crease,” said NZ scouts. “The former Chicago Mission has a very intense stance, he gets low, reads shooters blades well and seals all holes down low. Grabko is aggressive and plays on top of his crease and is not afraid to skate out and make a play.

“His ability to get square to shooters on and uses his strong edgework to his advantage allows him to be positionally strong on all angles. He anticipates, has extremely quick feet and has a very active stick, isn’t afraid to poke any puck or get physical with his stick against players in front of the net. Grabko’s got an edge, will make you pay just standing out in front and finds pucks thru traffic. Extremely strong lower body and moves at lightning speed cross crease”

’99 G Ryan McInchak to AIC for 2020

Bentley wasn’t the only AHA team to add a goalie. McInchak was ranked No. 176 in our Top-300 1999’s and he split this season with the Lincoln Stars (USHL) and New Jersey Junior Titans (NAHL).

The Michigan native also has experience in the NCDC and played Tier I with Belle Tire and the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies.

“McInchak is very calm in his tight and controlled stance as he is swift and slight in the crease,” said our scouts. “He is always square and has a strong hold of his fundamentals. Positionally sounds and loves to play from his butterfly. Stays tight to his posts and protects down low with his paddle down. Very sharp on his edges when moving laterally but he also tracks the puck well. He was ok in his first 3 starts with the Titans but was excellent in his next 4 appearances.”

’99 G David Tomeo to Sacred Heart for 2020

Believe it or not, Bentley and AIC weren’t the only Atlantic Hockey teams to add a goalie.

Tomeo is a New Jersey native who has extensive experience in the NAHL, including 25 games this season with the Johnstown Tomahawks where he posted a 2.73 GAA and .915 save percentage.

Said our scouts, “The four year NAHL veteran has been smooth and steady since the last time we reported on him as Tomeo brings technical proficiency and a composed presence every time in the cage. The Shattuck St Mary’s product has a very balanced stance with good posture and depth perception when going post to post. Positionally sound and very active with his stick as he deflects and directs pucks away from the danger areas.”

’99 D Colby Enns to Northern Michigan for 2020

Enns played one game for Nebraska-Omaha this season before leaving the team and returning to the USHL to play with the Lincoln Stars.

Enns was ranked No. 55 in our Top-300 1999’s Report that was posted last week.

“Emns had good size and mobility,” said our scouts. “He showed he could create his shot from the offensive blue line and was productive on the power play. His shot was hard, accurate and he showed he can get it on goal quickly with a snap shot, wrist shot, slap shot or one-timer.”

’99 F Ryan Doolin to Sacred Heart for 2020

Doolin is a former Harvard commit who was ranked No. 71 in our Top-300 1999’s Report. Doolin had 19 goals and 33 assists in 57 games with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the BCHL this season.

Prior to the BCHL, Doolin played prep hockey at Westminster and also played with Chicago and Lincoln in the USHL. Doolin also played at B.C. High and with the Boston Advantage.

“Doolin looks bigger and stronger every-time we see him and it was no different here,” scout said. “He doesn’t play with as much edge as you’d want to see from a power forward but he’s got a lot more skill than most his size. He’s got a fluid stride and smooth hands which goes well with his strong frame and allows him to get pucks into scoring areas with regularity as he did here. “

’99 Murphy LePage to UMass Dartmouth for 2020

LePage is from Dartmouth, Mass., so he’ll be playing collegiately in his hometown. After three varsity seasons at Dartmouth High, he played for Hoosac this season as well as suiting up for the 95 Giants 18U team.

’99 G Cal Ambrose to Neumann for 2020

Ambrose in a Minnesota native who has been in the USPHL for the last three years with the Hudson Havoc. The last two seasons, Ambrose has posted a .933 save percentage and a 2.33 GAA and he has also been lights-out for the Havoc in the playoffs, posting a .965 save percentage in four games this season.

’99 G Colin Ahern to Wis. Eau Claire for 2020

Ahern is a good-sized goalie at 6-foot-2 and he cracked the Top-45 MJHL players in our Top-1999s rankings. A Wisconsin native, Ahern posted a 2.72 GAA and a .905 save percentage for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines this season.

Ahern also has experience in the AJHL and NOJHL and played his high-school hockey at Fond du Lac Springs High.

“We have watched Ahern in each league and what has been consistent with him is his anticipation skills and how alert and urgent he is to clear or freeze a puck,” said NZ scouts. “Ahern sets his feet wide but keeps everything very tight and makes himself small when getting set at times. The Fond du Lac Springs standout likes to cut down the angle as he gets his feet right on the paint but he also loves to come out his net and get involved. Ahern is very aware and knows who or what is around him, which is what makes him a good puck distributor as he makes breakouts or transitions easier.”