The Robert Morris men’s hockey team has gone to the dogs.
Thanks to an idea from senior defenseman John Rey, the Colonials will be raising money for the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society through a new initiative called Playing For Pups. Rey and his Colonials teammates hope to raise over $10,000 through both corporate and individual donations.
Rey, a New Jersey native, grew up with dogs and the Humane Society was a no-brainer of a destination for some of his time, money and goodwill. In fact, it’s something he’s been thinking of since before he ever got to Robert Morris.
John Rey with his first dog, Mikey.
“I had this idea a few years ago, in my last year of junior hockey down in Texas,” he said. “There are so many rules and regulations with the NCAA. With the athletic directors, coaches and staff along with my parents and teammates, I’ve been able to utilize everyone to get the ball rolling with it.”
With the idea kicking around in his head for four years, Rey was determined to get something done for his senior season and started the planning process way back in June.
The team has a history of similar philanthropic contributions. When former captain Chris Kushneriuk was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, the team raised money to help him “Krush Cancer.” The Colonials have also held a military appreciation night each of the last two seasons that benefitted It’s About the Warrior Foundation.
Rey currently has a Cairn Terrier named Nikki.
Rey is happy to help continue that tradition and help give back to the community.
“I feel like as a student athlete here, I’m an investment to the school,” Rey said. “We are held to a higher standard. I want to do my best in fulfilling that standard.”
The team’s game on Feb. 10 vs. Bentley will be dedicated to the Playing For Pups cause. Donations can be made on the Playing For Pups GoFundMe page and updates on the campaign will be posted on the Playing For Pups Facebook page. Corporate donation inquiries can be made by calling 412-397-4913.
SMOOTH MOVES
Forwards Spencer Dorowicz and Timmy Moore hooked up for an impressive goal against Sacred Heart last Saturday against Sacred Heart and were named one of the NCAA’s top five plays of the week.
Moore showed off his puckhandling skills to maintain possession at the top of the offensive zone, but he did it in an unusual way — with his feet.
Pittsburgh Hockey Digest has been unable to confirm rumors that RMU men’s soccer coach Bill Denniston has been hanging around the rink since Saturday.
STANDINGS, VOTES, NOTES
The Colonials (8-4-2, 6-3-1 in Atlantic Hockey) enter the weekend tied for third place in the conference with 13 points, but have three games in hand on first-place RIT. The Tigers will be playing non-conference opponent Providence this weekend, so the two-game trip to Bentley (3-7-4, 2-5-2 in AHC) represents a chance to make up some ground as the conference race nears the midway point.
RMU received six points in the USCHO.com poll and came in fourth amongst others receiving votes. The Colonials are the highest-ranked team in Atlantic Hockey. The PairWise rankings are more forgiving for RMU, listing the Colonials at No. 19 and again the top-rated team in the conference.
