PITTSBURGH --
Francis Marotte has accomplished much in his two seasons of Division I hockey, serving as Robert Morris University's starting goalie almost from Day 1 of his tenure.
Through 67 career NCAA games, the junior from Quebec ranks first in program history in goals-against average (2.35), second in save percentage (.923), third in shutouts (five) and fourth in wins (34).
Marotte (pronounced muh-ROT) can now add a Mike Richter Award nomination to his list, as he is one of 20 D-I goalies nationwide selected to the prize's watch list. The Richter Award is given yearly to the athlete adjudged to be D-I's most outstanding netminder.
"You don't expect it," Marotte said as the Colonials prepare for a season-starting exhibition game against Brock University on Sunday. "I think it's motivation."
Perhaps Marotte should've seen this coming.
Not only did he rank fourth in the nation in save percentage as a freshman in 2016-17, he has been invited to two NHL development camps over the past two summers, with the Canucks and Capitals both taking an up-close look at Marotte's talents.
"I think Frank's selection to the Richter Award watch list is well deserved," said RMU associate head coach
Kody Van Rentergem, who works closely with Marotte and other Colonials' goalies.
"He's stepped in and done a great job for us through his first two years and we are expecting the same again. His hard work and dedication to his craft is what sets him apart, and he has the opportunity to be a big part of our team's success this year."
Goaltending is always paramount in hockey, of course, but with four freshmen among the Colonials' eight-man defense corps to start the season, there figures to be a little more onus on Marotte to be on the top of his game right away.
"I want to be a leader in that room," Marotte said. "We have a lot of new defensemen and I want to help them play their best."
Marotte, 23, is banking on another summer of training and NHL-level input giving him a lift into his junior year. How he finished his sophomore season should also give him encouragement, since he posted a .915 save percentage or better in each of RMU's eight Atlantic Hockey postseason games, as the Colonials returned to the AHA title game for the third straight season.
"Everything is a little bit better," Marotte said of his current form in practice. "I got some new perspectives on my game, and Kody's a great guy. We have a good relationship and he doesn't hesitate to give input."
Marotte and the Colonials will officially begin RMU's 15th season of NCAA men's hockey on Friday, Oct. 12 against Bowling Green, but Brock University of the Canadian college circuit will be the opponent for Sunday's exhibition game. Faceoff is set for 4 p.m. at the Island Sports Center.
