Eagles Add First Recruit

Head Coach Larry Brzeczkowski is pleased to announce the first official recruit for ACHA Purple Eagles 2010-2011 class.

Ryan Sheehan (Buffalo Stars CHA Jr. B/ Eden, NY) has committed to play his collegiate hockey for the Niagara University ACHA team.

The 5’10” 160lbs forward is currently third on his team in scoring with 30 points (17g, 13a) in 34 games. The newest Purple Eagles is a hard working, offensively gifted playmaker. The winger also has 4 power play goals and 3 game winning goals this season.

Sheehan, a ’91 birth year, has his goals set on playing hockey at Niagara and also participating in the ROTC program at the University.

Ryan was also selected at the conlcusion of this season to participate in the "Best of the Rest" showcase at the Junior B national tournament. The All Star type event is made up of the best junior B players from across the nation whose teams are not in the final play down for a national championship.

“My goal has always been to take my hockey career as far as possible” commented Sheehan “to know that I am going to be playing for a great team like Niagara for the next four years is a great feeling”

“I chose Niagara because it will allow me to grow on and off the ice. Niagara will allow me to get a great education, do ROTC, with my ultimate goal of serving my country [in the military].

Ryan marks the third player in three years to come from the Buffalo Stars organization.

Associate Coach & Director of Recruiting Clay Miller said of Sheehan “Ryan is a great kid. His on the ice skill set speak for itself but he is also very well respected in his junior program. He is a very good skater with excellent vision on the ice…He can make things happen out there and is pretty creative with the puck. All of our players we bring in from the [Buffalo] Stars are hard workers, good kids, and know the game of hockey. It makes the transition to the college game much easier. Ryan has two more years of Junior eligibility and he could have continued his junior career. It is pretty refreshing to see a player put education and service to his country first.”

Miller concluded “Niagara will be a great fit for Ryan both on and off the ice. We are happy to welcome him to our family.”