The Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team is heading to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) University Cup, but not without the help of some star players.
Third-year defenceman Matt Stanisz was named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East first team all-star, racking up 19 assists in 18 games before a knee injury forced him to miss the remainder of the regular season.
Stanisz was back on the ice for the playoffs, adding six more assists to help bring home a bronze medal and a berth in the national tournament.
Like his stats suggest, Stanisz is a team player through and through, crediting them for helping him get back on the ice after his injury.
“I’ve got to give it to the guys, they kept up my spirits,” he said. “I had a good first half of the season, second half unfortunately I wasn’t able to play, but coming in and being with these guys really helped me out and it’s just an honour to be selected to the All-Stars.”
Stanisz is no stranger to playing in big games.
Before coming to Carleton, he played four years in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), three for the Barrie Colts and one year for the Owen Sound Attack where the team went all the way to the Memorial Cup.
He said the level of play is the same at both the CIS and OHL.
“The guys here are bigger, stronger, there might be more skill in the OHL but guys are more mature here,” he said. “You can’t come in with the mindset that because it’s the CIS you can take it lighter, you’ve got to come in with the same mentality and just play your way.”
Forward Mike McNamee was named to both the second team all-stars and the all-rookie team. In just his first year McNamee led Carleton in points, scoring 14 goals and 23 assists in the regular season.
McNamee has had a very impressive post-season, scoring seven goals and six assists in just nine games.
Stanisz said his role as a mentor grew this season.
“The older guys were great mentors to me ever since I came in, and now I’m starting to fill that role,” he said. “Obviously with age you’re going to get more mature, it’s all about maintaining your body and keeping the guys in check.”
Second-year forward Joey West was also named the OUA East Most Sportsmenlike player. West had 13 goals and 11 assists in the regular season.
Even with these notable standouts, head coach Marty Johnston said the team as a whole is responsible for this season’s success.
“It’s not only the 20 guys that dressed tonight,” Johnston said. “There’s guys that have been a part of this from the get go that have had limited roles, but it’s a pretty tight group.”
