March 20, 2008

Albany, N.Y. - It didn't take long for one of Mercyhurst's senior hockey players to begin his pro career after a season-ending loss to Air Force last Sunday.

Forward Ben Cottreau has signed with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the remainder of the season. Albany is the NHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Cottreau is expected to play Friday night when the River Rats visit Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins affiliate.

Cottreau becomes the 9th Mercyhurst player in school history to play in the AHL, just a rung below the National Hockey League. The prior eight include:

1. Goalie Peter Aubry (1998-2002), St. John's
2. Forward Scott Burfoot (1988-1992), Rochester
3. Goalie Andy Franck (2002-2005), Providence
4. Forward Louis Goulet (1998-2002), Manchester and San Antonio
5. Defenseman Jamie Hunt (2003-2006), Hershey by way of Washington of the NHL
6. Defenseman T.J. Kemp (2001-2005), Manchester and Springfield by way of Edmonton of the NHL
7. Defenseman Conrad Martin (2002-2006), Hamilton
8. Defenseman Jody Robinson (1999-2003), Bridgeport

Cottreau played 34 games this season. He led the team in assists (23) and points (36). Among his senior credentials: He collected five power-play goals, one short handed and two game-tying goals...had a seven-game scoring streak from 10/19 at Maine through 11/9 at Michigan State and an eight-game streak from 12/14 vs. American International through 1/19 at Connecticut...had one goal and four assists in Atlantic Hockey Tournament, with the goal coming against top-seeded Army in the semifinals...was named Second Team All-Conference and was nominated for the 2008 Frozen Four Skills Challenge in Denver...finished his career seventh in team history points with 156, tied-for-seventh in game-winning goals with eight, tied for fourth in power-play goals with 26, tied-for-seventh in assists with 95...finished career with 61 goals and 95 assists for 156 points in 132 games played...co-team captain.

Albany, currently third in the East Division, rallied to defeat Hershey 6-2 last night, but now begins a stretch of seven straight road games. Last night's win gives the River Rats 82 points, one more than all of 2006-2007 with ten regular season games left.