As we enter Week 9 of the 2024-25 College Hockey Season, a few players have distinguished themselves with standout performances.
1st Star: (F) Ayden Georgiano, Florida Atlantic University (D3): 6 Goals, 1 Assist, 7 Points in 1 Game Played
Ayden Georgiano performed excellently, earning him our first Star of the Week. The 21-year-old put on a scoring clinic, netting six goals in Florida Atlatntic’s 11-4 rout over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (D3). His display of offensive firepower included a dazzling “Michigan” goal, showcasing his creativity and confidence on the ice. With 11 points (9 goals, 2 assists) in six games this season, Georgiano has firmly established himself as a player Florida Atlantic can rely on to bring intensity and skill to every game.
2nd Star: (D) David Israel, Florida Atlantic University (D2): 2 Goals, 5 Assists, 7 Points in 2 Games Played
David Israel’s consistent play has been a crucial factor in Florida Atlantic’s strong start this season. The Owls are 7-2-1 and currently tied for second place in the College Hockey South Division 2 South standings. Over the weekend, Israel tallied seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in back-to-back wins (8-1 on Nov. 1 and 7-1 on Nov. 2) over Embry-Riddle (D2). In the first game, he notched three points with a goal and two assists, followed by a goal and three assists in the second game. Israel’s ability to contribute offensively from the blue line has solidified his role as a critical player for the Owls. With his offensive performance this weekend, Israel reached 200 career points with Florida Atlantic.
May 7, 2024
Florida Atlantic University Ice Hockey Club member Nicholas Pecora, was selected to play for the USA Deaf National Hockey Team, and participated in the inaugural Jeff Sauer International Deaf Hockey Series in Buffalo, NY from April 11th to 14th. Nick was joined by 19 other deaf/hard of hearing players from across the U.S. as they took the silver medal after losing 5-4 to Canada in the finals. The tournament featured National teams from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Czechia. Pecora added “Wearing the USA sweater is a big deal and I hope to have the opportunity to wear it multiple times. It’s a great feeling!” When asked what his most memorable moment of the tournament was, Nick responded: “Winning a silver medal was great, but scoring the 1st ever goal, in the first ever tournament named for coach Sauer was very special. Coach Sauer was an extraordinary man and he meant so much to AHIHA (American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association) and to the sport of hockey all over the world.”
Nick was born with moderate-severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, was non-verbal up until the age of 5 and has worn hearing aids all his life. Now, a freshman and Mechanical Engineering Major at FAU, Nick was also named to the College Hockey South All-Academic Team this year.
Pecora is very familiar with most of his Team USA teammates, who he’s been training and playing with each June for 1 week since he was 4 years old at the annual American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA.ORG) Stan Mikita (former NHL All Star) Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing hockey camp held in Chicago, IL. Started in 1973 by Chicago businessman Irv Tiahnybik and NHL Legend Stan Mikita, the AHIHA Stan Mikita Hockey School is for deaf and hard-of-hearing hockey players of all ages. There is no cost to participate, and players receive on-ice instruction and off-ice conditioning sessions by National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and National Team Development Program coaching staff.
Kevin Delany the President of AHIHA and founder of Delaney Hockey said: “It was great seeing Nicholas compete against older International teams because he is a product of AHIHA. He grew up going to the hockey school and is now able to compete on our national team. Nicholas definitely improved and was able to make an impact due to his time with Florida Atlantic University this year. A season of College Hockey South/AAU has made Nicholas a better player.”
Pecora noted “AHIHA has given me the opportunity to learn the game from amazing coaches like Jeff Sauer, David Lassonde, Kevin Delany, Gene Ubriaco and Tony Granato. I have also the met some incredible hockey
people such as Stan Mikita, Joel Quennville, Pavel Datsyuk, Chris Kunitz, and sled Hockey Player Brody Roybal to name a few.” He added “I look forward to going back every year and seeing everyone. When my playing days are over, I plan on returning every year and giving back by coaching or any way I can.”
The Florida Atlantic University Ice Hockey Club is very proud of Nick and encourages readers to learn more about this great hockey organization.
For more information about AHIHA and the Stan Mikita Hockey School, go to AHIHA.org – https://ahiha.org/.
Donation – https://ahiha.org/donations/
Jeff Sauer International Deaf Series – https://ahiha.org/jeff-sauer-international-deaf-hockey-series/
April 13, 2024
Congratulations to our FAU Ice Hockey Club AAU All American award winners. Senior David Israel and graduate student Matias Weir were named to the 1st team and freshman Rocco Bruno was named to the second team. Israel was also honored with the 2023-2024 MVP Award! Owl Nation is proud!
The awards were given during the AAU College Hockey All-Star Challenge weekend at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs Florida. David, Matias, and Rocco were all named to the CHS (College Hockey South Conference) All Star Team and competed against other AAU Conference Teams from the Atlantic Region, Metro NY, New England, and upstate, NY.
