PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's hockey team saw its six incoming recruits finish up their junior hockey careers with excellent seasons.
Cody Cartier, an incoming forward, posted a banner season with a career high 67 points and a career best 45 assists. The native of Sylvan Lake, Alberta earned Player of the Week honors in the Alberta Junior Hockey League Nov. 21. Cartier finished seventh in the AJHL in points, third in the league in assists and earned Canmore's team Most Valuable Player award. He also ranked fourth in the AJHL in points per game among players with at least 34 games played. Cartier led the Canmore Eagles in points and scored or assisted on 35-percent of the team's goals.
Scott Jacklin, an incoming forward, finished third in the British Columbia Hockey League's Interior Division and 11th in all of the BCHL with 73 points. The Kimberley, British Columbia native ranked second in the Interior Division in assists and eighth overall in the BCHL in assists and ended the regular season first in points per game among players with at least 50 games played in the Interior Division. Jacklin netted three game-winning goals, six power-play goals and led his team in points with a career high 73 in just 51 games played. The forward earned the team's MVP award while also earning Interior Division all-league honors.
Jeff Jones, an incoming forward, posted 59 points in 59 games for the Merritt Centennials of the British Columbia Hockey League. Jones recorded two 50-plus point seasons with Merritt with at least 22 goals and 25 assists each season. The Revelstoke, British Columbia native posted a career best 37 assists and 59 points in his final season with the Centennials. Jones led Merritt in points and assists and tied for the team lead in goals in his final season while earning the team's MVP award.
David Rigatti, an incoming forward, posted seven goals, 21 assists and 28 points in 50 games with the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native recorded career highs in points and plus minus while scoring three power-play goals and netting one game-winning goal. Rigatti also recorded two goals and two assists with Texas in the NAHL playoffs while earning a +3 plus/minus rating. He was also earned a spot in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in December.
Tyson Wilson, an incoming defenseman, helped Brockville finish fourth in the regular season in the Canadian Central Hockey League. Wilson finished fourth in the CCHL in points by a defenseman, third in goals by a defenseman and led all CCHL blue liners in points per game. The Brockville, Ontario native netted a career-high 14 goals and passed out 28 assists to total 42 points. Wilson helped Brockville to the semifinals of the of the CCHL playoffs and earned the team's defenseman of the year award. The CCHL also named Wilson to the second-team all-stars. Wilson adds these accolades to a resume, which already includes an appearance in the World Junior Challenge for Team Canada East, in which he earned all-tournament honors.
Cody Wydo , an incoming forward and the final student-athlete to commit to Robert Morris, led the NAHL in goals scored with 40, ranked tied for first in assists with 51 and finished first in total points with 91. Wydo earned the NAHL's Forward of the Year award and was named All-NAHL First Team. The Allen Park, Mich. native also ranked tied for second in the NAHL with six game-winning goals and tied for 10th in plus/minus rating. Wydo earned NAHL player of the Week honors Oct. 25. He registered 35 points on the power play with 14 goals and 21 assists. The forward also posted a .216 shot percentage which ranked first among players who took at least 150 shots. Wydo also ranked as the only player in NAHL with a shot percentage over .200 among players with more than 150 shots.
