Newly appointed head coach Brett Riley has hit the ground running at Long Island University. The new Division 1 hockey program already has landed several commits. On Wednesday, LIU picked up its first player from New England. Former Cushing Academy star Nolan McElhaney announced his commitment to continue his college hockey career with the Sharks....
Newly appointed head coach Brett Riley has hit the ground running at Long Island University. The new Division 1 hockey program already has landed several commits.
On Wednesday, LIU picked up its first player from New England. Former Cushing Academy star Nolan McElhaney announced his commitment to continue his college hockey career with the Sharks. He had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal earlier this offseason.
The ’99 from Natick, Mass., was on the roster at the University of New Hampshire this past season but did not play in any games. McElhaney has upside with his size, ability to jump into the offense and his slick hands as a puck mover.
He’s played in just seven games over the past two seasons, in part due to injury. After graduating from Cushing, he went out to the USHL, but a lower-body injury sidelined him after just seven games with the Omaha Lancers in 2018-19.
McElhaney committed to UNH after a breakout senior season at Cushing. In 32 games in 2017-18, he had 13 goals and 34 assists for the Penguins. The productive senior season marked a 32-point increase from his junior season.
Chippewa Steel ’99 forward and former Alabama Huntsville commit Connor Szmul; Victoria Grizzlies ’99 forward Marty Westhaver; Kemptville 73s ’00 left wing Madoka Suzuki; Bonnyville Pontiacs ’99 forward Daine Dublois; Kenai River Brown Bears ’99 defenseman Rob McCollum; and Brooks Bandits ’99 defenseman Jordan DiCicco also have committed to play for the Sharks.
