Thank you for the feedback after the first week of Hockey’s Headwaters. Just a quick note: If you see or hear anything about the players that have made their way through our city en-route to a promising professional career, or see any errors please don’t hesitate to contact either myself (@PHD_Mitch) or Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) or shoot us an e-mail
A Headwaters article will try to keep you up to date about the players from the region that are continuing their trek to the top tiers of the sport. Let’s keep the updates rolling with Hockey’s Headwaters update for Oct. 24th.
HEADWATERS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Austin Tonkovich
Former Cannon-McMillan and Pittsburgh Penguins Elite star Austin Tonkovitch had a strong week in the OJHL.
The forward had four goals and two assists in four games for the team last week. Through 14 games this season, he has six goals and six assists for the division-leading Trenton (Ont.) Golden Hawks.
Tonkovitch is in his first season in the OJHL. It’s one of Canada’s 11 Jr. A leagues. Players in Jr. A retain their amateur status and are heavily recruited for NCAA scholarships.
Vincent Trocheck (Pittsburgh, PA) scored a pair of goals in the past week and added a game-winning goal in a shootout. The former Pittsburgh Hornets star has three goals on the season for the Panthers. He’s been skating on the second line and getting power-play time, as well.
Opening the season on a long road trip, John Gibson compiled a 1-2 record this past week, posting a 2.33 GAA in that span.
Former Junior Penguins and NHL defenseman Mike Weber signed with the Iowa Wild this past week. In 2010, the 6-2, 211lb defenseman was an All-Star in his most recent season in the top minor league.
Hershey Bears forward Riley Barber scored his first of the season in Hershey’s 2-1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Sunday night.
1. Capitalize on the turnover
2. Find the back of the net
3. Take the lead pic.twitter.com/KcsvSNXmQ3— AHL (@TheAHL) October 23, 2016
It’s been a long ride for former Robert Morris goaltender Eric Levine. The 2013 RMU grad made stops with over two dozen pro teams in his first three seasons, but seems to have found a home in the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He made his season Saturday debut for the Indy Fuel, stopping 32 shots out of 34 in a 2-1 loss.
RMU Class of 2016 forward David Friedmann scored two goals over the course of the week for the Fort Wayne Komets. … On Saturday, Mt. Lebanon native Tyler Murovich added a pair of goals for Atlanta in their 5-4 loss at the Tulsa Oilers, who had another 2016 RMU grad in Tyson Wilson in their lineup. … Donnie Harris (Pittsburgh Hornets) scored his first goal of the season for the Quad City Mallards on Saturday.
The SPHL started its season this past Friday. 2015 Robert Morris Graduate Jeff Jones scored the first goal of the season for the Huntsville Havoc. … Aaron Clarke (Robert Morris) had a goal for the Pensacola Ice Pilots in a 6-3 loss to Fayetteville.
Cody Cartier had a hat-trick and added two assists for the Manchester Storm of the EIHL (U.K.). The Robert Morris graduate notched two on the power play and now has nine points in four games. … Mt. Lebanon’s Jesse Root had two assists for HC Balzano (EBEL).
Brianne McLaughlin stopped 7 of 8 in 40 minutes of relief for the Buffalo Beauts on Sunday afternoon. The Beauts are 1-2-1 and sit in third place in the NWHL.
Former Esmark Stars forward Trevor Recktenwald registered a goal for the Ferris State Bulldogs. … Ohio State freshman defenseman Matt Miller (Moon) made his collegiate debut Saturday against Bowling Green. He was a plus-2 with a blocked shot in a 6-1 win.
Tonkovich has a new, familiar teammate, as Sewickley’s Connor Quinn has signed with Trenton. He had been with the Brockville Braves of the CCHL. Quinn scored his first goal of the year and collected two assists last week.
Former Peters Township star Adam Alavi scored a goal for the Kemptville 73’s in their 7-6 win over Nepan. … Soo Eagles forward William Casey had a goal and two assists this past week. … Cranberry, Pa. native Alex Gritz scored his first goal in the OHL for Sault Ste. Marie this past week.
Mt. Lebanon native and current Johnstown Tomahawks forward Tommy Horn had four assists this past week. His teammate, winger Dalton Hunter (Latrobe, Pa.) netted two and added an assist. The Tomahawks are 11-1-1 to start the year despite not playing a single home game due to renovations at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Wilkes-Barre Knights winger Paul Maust scored a goal and added three assists in the teams four games this week.
