COLLEGE HOCKEY NOTES A look at Yale’s AllDecade Team
A Sunday afternoon exhibition with McGill is all the remains in what was the most successful decade in the 125year history of Yale hockey.
During the twentyteens (or is it twentytens? Has history decided on this yet?) the Bulldogs won more games, reached more NCAA tournaments and captured the programs’ only national championship.
So who were the players that defined this era of unrivaled success in New Haven? Let’s take a look at Hearst Media Connecticut’s Yale alldecade team, chosen with input from a select panel of school personnel, media and season ticket holders.
FIRST TEAM
Forward: Andrew Miller, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, (200913), 141 games played, 42 goals, 114 assists, 156 points.
At Yale: Tied for the team lead with 29 assists as a freshman, led the Bulldogs to three NCAA appearances in four years. Is the school’s career leader in assists and fifth in career scoring. Named most outstanding player at the 2013 Frozen Four, scoring the overtime winner against UMass Lowell goalie Connor Hellebuyck in the national semifinals with a goal and an assist in the national final, a 40 win over Quinnipiac.
After Yale: Became an AHL allstar;played 15 NHL games with Edmonton over two seasons. Now 31, he’s in his first season with Kunlun of the Russian KHL.
Forward: Brian O’Neill, Yardley, Pennsylvania, (20082012), 138 games, 69 goals, 94 assists, 163 points.
At Yale: One of the key figures in Yale’s transformation from ECAC cellardweller to national powerhouse under Keith Allain, O’Neill played in three NCAA tournaments and led the team in scoring his final three seasons, including 2011, when the Bulldogs rose to No. 1 in the national polls for the first time. Arguably the most complete player ever at Yale, he ranks second to Jeff Hamilton in career points, sixth in career goals and third in career assists.
After Yale: Though he graduated a year before the national title, he would get a championship two years later with Manchester of the AHL. Named most valuable player of the AHL in 201415, leading the league in scoring. Played 22 games for the New Jersey Devils in 201516 and made the U.S. Olympic team in 2016, scoring four points in five games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Now 31, he’s in his fourth season with Jokerit of the Russian KHL.
Forward: Kenny Agostino, Flanders, New Jersey (201014), 134 games, 56 goals, 76 assists, 132 points.
At Yale: The rare player who jumped straight from high school to Division I, Agostino, a fifthround draft choice of Pittsburgh, also arrived as an NHL prospect. Scored 25 points on Yale’s topranked team as a freshman; tied for team lead with 41 points and won national title as a junior. Ranks 10th alltime on school’s career points list.
After Yale: Played parts of four seasons in the NHL, his most productive in 201819, scoring 24 points in 63 games with Montreal and New Jersey. Now 27, he’s averaging a pointper game for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
Defense: Rob O’Gara, Nesconset, New York (201216), 133 games, 14 goals, 37 assists, 51 points.
At Yale: Freshman starter on Yale’s national title team was one of the nation’s premier lockdown defenders. Played in three NCAA tournaments. Twice named ECAC Hockey’s best defensive defenseman; named firstteam AllAmerican as a junior, second team as a senior. Strong offensive player as well; led team in assists as a junior.
After Yale: Played in 33 NHL games over two seasons with Bruins and Rangers. Spent all of last season with Hartford of the AHL. Now 26, is with Springfield of the AHL.
Defense: Ryan Obuchowski, West Bloomfield, Michigan (201216), 134 games, 16 goals, 36 assists, 52 points.
At Yale: Earned starting spot on the blue line as a freshman and was an ECAC Hockey allrookie team selection for national championship team. Not a heralded NHL prospect like O’Gara, but established himself as a consistent, allaround defenseman who missed only one game for teams that played in three NCAA tournaments in four seasons.
After Yale: Spent three seasons in ECHL, helping Toledo to runnerup finish for league championship in 2019. Now 27, is playing professionally in Italy.
Goalie: Alex Lyon, Baudette, Minnesota (201316), 93 games, 1.88 goalsagainst average, .931 save percentage.
At Yale: Threeyear starter is statistically the best goaltender in Yale hockey history. A twotime, firstteam AllAmerican. Led the nation in goalsagainst average as a sophomore (1.62) and junior (1.64); led the nation in save percentage as a sophomore (.939) and was second as a junior (.936); led the nation with seven shutouts as a sophomore. Twice named Ken Dryden Award winner as ECAC Hockey’s best goalie; a Hobey Baker Award finalist as a junior.
After Yale: Signed freeagent NHL contract with Philadelphia following junior season. Played in 13 games for the Flyers over parts of two seasons. Gained national attention for making 94 saves on 95 shots during a fiveovertime AHL playoff game in 2018. Now 27 and in his fourth season with Lehigh Valley of the AHL.
SECOND TEAM
Forwards: Broc Little (200711), 72 career goals, 70 assists, 142 points; Mark Arcobello (200610), 4967116; John Hayden (201317), 504191.
Defensemen: Tom Dignard (200610), 195776; Jimmy Martin (200711), 114755.
Goalie: Jeff Malcolm (200913), 2.60 GAA; .907 save percentage; six shutouts.
THIRD TEAM
Forwards: Joe Snively (201519); 5881139; Sean Backman (200610), 7749126; Denny Kearney (200711), 4586131.
Defensemen: Gus Young (201014); 122840; Billy Sweezey (2016present); 32730.
Coming next Wednesday: Quinnipiac’s alldecade team.