Moon Township, Pa. – For the third time this week, members of the Robert Morris University men's hockey team were honored by College Hockey America for their outstanding accomplishments. Juniors Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) and Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets) were named to the 2010 CHA All-First Team for the second consecutive year, while senior Dave Cowan (Calgary, Alberta / Olds Grizzlys) and junior Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State) earned spots on the CHA All-Second Team.
The Robert Morris Colonials and No. 8- Bemidji State Beavers both placed four players on either the first or second team, while Niagara added three players and Alabama-Huntsville added one player.
"All of these guys have had very good years for our team," said head coach Derek Schooley. "Nathan, Denny and Chris have been very good offensively and I am glad that the other CHA coaches recognized the strong defensive play Cowan."
A two-time selection at forward, Longpre picked up CHA All-First Team accolades last season and CHA All-Rookie distinction during his freshman season. Earlier this year, he was named to the All-CHA Preseason team along with teammate, Urban. Longpre has played in 32 games this season totaling 13 goals and 17 assists as the fourth leading scorer in the CHA.
A scoring threat from the blue line, Urban recorded 10 goals and 14 assists in 33 games. A member of the CHA All-Rookie Team during his first RMU season, Urban tallied two CHA Offensive Player of the Week awards this year. Urban's physical style of play keeps him in front of the puck as well as a force in front of the net as he leads the team with three game-winning goals.
The leader of the Colonial defensive corps and a two-time team captain, Cowan is a stay at home, shut down defenseman. The fourth-year senior brings both experience and stability to RMU's defense. After coming back from an upper body injury earlier in the season, Cowan has went on to score one goal and five assists, including a multi-point game in a win over then-No.5-Bemidji State.
In his second year at RMU, Kushneriuk has become an on-and-off the ice leader for RMU. A two-year assistant captain, who was named the team's most inspirational player for the 08-09 season, Kushneriuk has seen action in 32 contests and is second on the Colonial squad in scoring with 11 goals and 18 assists. He has also recorded two short-handed tallies this season, including the memorable first goal against No.1-Miami at Mellon Arena.
The team is voted on by each head coach in the league as well as one assistant coach from each team. Coaches are not allowed to vote on players from their respective teams. The CHA Student Athlete of the Year, Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year will be announced on Thursday at the CHA Awards banquet in Niagara, NY.
Friday at 3:00 p.m., the Robert Morris Colonials will take on the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers at Dwyer Arena in the CHA Semifinals. If the Colonials defeat UAH, they will advance to the CHA Championship game for the second straight year in hopes of gaining their first bid to the NCAA Tournament.
