MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – April 2, 2014 – The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey program graduated two defensemen to the professional ranks after the Colonials' season came to an end in the NCAA West Regional last week.

Senior defensemen Andrew Blazek (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Topeka Roadrunners) and Evan Renwick (Calgary, Alberta / Canmore Eagles) both joined teams in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) in the past two days.

"As a coaching staff, we are very proud of [Blazek] and [Renwick] for accomplishing their dreams of playing professional hockey," said head coach Derek Schooley.  "Both student-athletes had very good senior years at RMU and their accomplishments are being recognized by professional organizations."

Blazek – a 6-2, 180 lbs. two-way defenseman – signed a contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones yesterday.  Spending five seasons at RMU, Blazek amassed 17 goals and 34 assists for 51 points in 129 games played as a Colonial.  In his final season at Robert Morris, Blazek recorded four goals and 13 assists for 17 points while maintaining a +20 plus/minus rating and blocking 88 shots – a number that led Atlantic Hockey and was the eighth-highest total in the NCAA for the 2013/14 campaign.

As a redshirt-junior last season, Blazek set a career best with three points against Sacred Heart on Feb. 1, 2013.  Just a few games prior, Blazek recorded the only multi-goal game of his career when he scored twice against American International on Jan. 19, 2013.

Blazek will don 24 for the Cyclones when they take on the Fort Wayne Komets this evening and square off against RMU alum Aaron Clarke.

Renwick – a 6-3, 205 lbs. stay-at-home defenseman – agreed to an amateur tryout agreement with the Orlando Solar Bears today.  In his four years at Robert Morris, Renwick recorded one goal and 20 assists for 21 points in 111 games as a Colonial.  In his senior campaign, Renwick tallied eight assists with a +7 plus/minus rating and 73 blocked shots – the third-highest total this season at RMU and fourth-highest in Atlantic Hockey.

Renwick's lone goal as a Colonial came in the first round of the 2012 Atlantic Hockey Playoffs against American International on March 3, 2012.  Renwick recorded a pair of two-assist games during his time at RMU, one against Penn State on Dec. 28, 2012 and against later that season against Sacred Heart on March 9, 2013.

Renwick, who will wear 28 with Orlando, was added to the Solar Bears' roster in time for their contest this evening against the Reading Royals who have RMU alums Brandon Blandina and Ryan Cruthers on their roster.

With Blazek and Renwick taking their talents to the professional ranks, they become the 42nd and 43rd student-athletes Robert Morris program history to continue their hockey careers after their time as a Colonial.

Including the two defensemen who just signed, 19 former Colonials played hockey in the professional ranks, including 13 at the ECHL level.