Bulldogs Alumni Report: November Until Christmas Break

Photo credit: Tyler Wallace via Niagara University

Article: Aidan Serra

Blackfalds’ six graduating players from the 2022-23 season have all been in action in the NCAA or in USports, and all have had success with their respective teams.

 

At the time of the last update, Matthew Hennessey had just one game under his belt, but since then, he’s been an absolute rockstar for Anna Maria College in NCAA Division III. Hennessey has an 8-2-0 record, sporting a 1.69 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage, statistics that see him among the best in the league. His 8-2-0 record has helped Anna Maria to a 9-4 record, a stark upgrade on their record at this time last season, with them only winning eight games during the entirety of last season.

Hennessey’s most recent game is arguably his standout of the season, making 40 saves on 40 shots against New England College to earn his first shutout of the season in Anna Maria’s 4-0 victory yesterday night. Hennessey has made more than 30 saves on seven occasions so far this year, with the highest number coming back on November 7, making 51 saves on 52 shots to help his team to a 4-1 win over Plymouth State. Anna Maria won’t be back in action until January 5, with Hennessey going into the holiday break with statistics that any goaltender would be proud of.

 

Moving over to USports, Kasey Hiemstra’s Mount Royal University are currently sitting third place in the CW division, sporting a 13-5-0. Since the previous update, MRU have moved up three spots in the nationwide USports hockey rankings, currently sitting in fifth place as of December 11. The highlight of Hiemstra’s season so far came during Mount Royal’s 3-2 loss at the hands of MacEwan University back on November 17, with Kasey scoring his first goal of the season shorthanded, at the time giving Mount Royal a 2-1 lead. Through 11 games, Hiemstra has one goal and has averaged just over 1.5 shots on goal per game so far. Mount Royal will return from the holiday break by hosting Manitoba on Friday, January 12.

 

Brett Meerman’s Augustana University is currently sporting a 5-7-2 record in their inaugural season, with Meerman adding his second goal during their last weekend series, scoring in their 2-2 tie against Northern Michigan University. Augustana would beat Northern Michigan the next day, earning a 5-3 victory, fighting back from a 2-0 deficit. Meerman’s nine games so far this season have seen him earn two goals and four points, currently fourth in points and tied for second in goals among Augustana’s crop of freshmen.

Augustana are currently in Alaska, gearing up for their weekend series against the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, their last two games prior to the holiday break. They’ll return to action on December 30, with two away games against Notre Dame, before taking on Minnesota State at home on January 5 & 6.

 

Evan Mitchell’s St. Lawrence University have vastly improved their record, as they’ve gone 4-6-0 since the last update, improving to 5-10-1 after winning just one of their first five games. Wins over Dartmouth and Harvard in their last two league games saw the team concede just one goal in the two-game weekend heading into the Holiday Break.

Mitchell has still played just one game, appearing in St. Lawrence’s 4-1 loss against Penn State on October 14. St. Lawrence is back in action against the University of Ottawa in an exhibition game on December 30, before taking on Canisius College on January 5.

 

Jason Siedem had yet to play for the University of New Hampshire at the time of the last update, and while he’s only played three games since, one of them brought a significant milestone, with Siedem scoring his first goal in his debut, with UNH besting Northeastern 4-0 on November 18 thanks in part to Siedem’s contributions.

“It was a great feeling,” said Siedem, when asked about his first NCAA goal. “It was a great play by Cam to find me in front and to do it in front of the home crowd was awesome.”

Siedem played two games following their win over Northeastern, appearing in the 4-3 win over the Rochester Institute of Technology on November 25 and the 5-2 loss at the hands of Maine on December 1. Siedem says that getting the three games in prior to the break was an awesome experience to feel integrated with the team.

“It’s been great. Getting familiar with the team and the school and getting an opportunity to play was great,” said Siedem

UNH returns from the break on December 29 against Army West Point. New Hampshire are currently ranked 16th in the country thanks to their 8-4-1 record, and with the roster boasting six NHL draft picks, the strength of the Wildcats is evident. Siedem says it’s been a great experience to play with all the high-end talent around him.

“I’ve been able to learn a lot from some of those guys so far. Most importantly just watching and seeing what it takes to be successful at this level and all the extra work that needs to be put in,” said Siedem.

 

With 42 goals and 84 points in 2022-23, Tyler Wallace was the Bulldogs MVP last season, and for that reason, his recent run of form with Niagara University shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to anyone. Wallace started the season with just one assist through his first nine games in the NCAA, but the production has come of late, with five goals and eight points in his last eight games. Wallace said the adjustment to life as a student-athlete was a challenge, but he’s happy with how he’s done of late.

“The adjustment was a little challenging at first just managing my time and schedule with hockey and my major. I’m majoring in biochemistry so not an easy major in its own right and on top of hockey I’ve had to really manage my time,” said Wallace. “After the first few weeks, I started to figure it out.”

When asked about his production of late, Wallace credited the opportunities he’s been given, along with the chemistry he’s formed with linemate Jay Ahearn.

“I was snake bitten in the first few games but with some new opportunities that my coaches gave me I’ve been able to take advantage of my opportunities and earned more trust along the way,” said Wallace. “It helps playing alongside our captain, who’s a very skilled player.”

Niagara are currently sitting 6-10-1, having lost three straight games, but Wallace says he’s optimistic about his team, saying that the chemistry is always improving.

“We’ve been a little unlucky with some bounces lately but as a whole the team has been constantly improving every day,” said Wallace.

Niagara returns from the break with two home games against Miami Ohio, hoping they can earn their first win since they beat Holy Cross in overtime on December 1, a game in which Wallace scored the winner.

 

Check back in at the start of February for the next Bulldogs alumni report!