It's become a regular feature here at ColonialsCorner as more and more former Colonials find work as professionals. With ten seasons in the books, Robert Morris hockey has a lengthy list of alumni still lacing up the skates.
Here's are the RMU alumni who were active last year and how they performed:
Andrew Blazek (Class of '14)
Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL)
After helping guide RMU to its first NCAA Tournament appearance, Blazek made his pro debut with 20 games in the ECHL. Cincinnati picked him up pretty quickly after RMU wrapped its season and threw Blazek right into the fire. He played six regular season games, registering his first four points as a pro, before capping his year with 14 postseason games.
Evan Renwick (Class of '14)
Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
A stay-at-home defenseman for Robert Morris, Renwick caught on with Orlando at the tail end of the regular season following RMU's NCAA Tournament appearance. Renwick didn't register a point in his brief spell with Orlando, but he played a total of six games - including four in the postseason - to get his first taste of pro action.
Adam Brace (Class of '13)[/B]
Charlotte Checkers (AHL), Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL), Stockton Thunder (ECHL)
Brace may have needed to look at his phone every once in a while in the morning just to have an idea of where he was. He always needed a bag packed in 2013-14, as he was part of six separate teams, dressing for four of them. Brace signed up again in the offseason with the Florida Everblades, only to join Charlotte before the season technically began. Ten games into his first stint into the AHL, he was on the move again, traded to San Antonio, which assigned him to Cincinnati in the ECHL. The Cyclones were his longest stop - 31 games, where he put up 21 points - but he was on the move again when he was traded to Bridgeport. After two games there, he was sent to the Tigers' ECHL affilliate for the final 18 games of the season and postseason.
All told, that's six teams in seven months. Even after a fairly successful season (17 goals, 24 assists in 59 games), here's guessing that Brace is hoping to stay in one place for a bit next year.
Zach Hervato (Class of '13)[/B]
Neuilly-sur-Marne (France)
A steady leader and center for Robert Morris, Hervato had a rough 2013-14. He had late start to the season, but he was able to land in France's second-tier league after changing a few things up. But early on in his tenure in France, Hervato was injured and missed some time. He ended up playing 25 games (six in the postseason) and scoring 13 goals in the regular season and playoffs combined. He's already signed to stay overseas, this time moving to Hull of the EIHL in the United Kingdom.
Tyler Hinds (Class of '13)[/B]
Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL), Evansville Icemen (ECHL), Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL), Toledo Walleye (ECHL)[/I]
The 2013 class could be considered the wanderers this year, because they rarely stayed in one place for long. Much like former teammate Brace, Hinds found himself part of a bunch of transactions this year. He began in Utah, was traded to Greenville, was placed on waivers and picked up Evansville, and then spent three short stints with Kalamazoo and Toledo after being waived twice more. Hinds ended up playing in 46 total games, scoring one goal and dishing out four assists.
Brendan Jamison (Class of '13)[/B]
Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)
The only member of the 2013 class to have a 'normal' season, Jamison spent the entirety of 2013-14 with Utah of the ECHL. He played in 56 total games, including five in the playoffs, registering six assists. The Pittsburgh native seems to have found a bit of a fit as a stay-at-home defenseman in the ECHL.
Eric Levine (Class of '13)[/B]
Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Peoria Rivermen (SPHL), Quad City Mallards (CHL), Syracuse Crunch (AHL), Allen Americans (CHL)
Another frequent member of the transactions list, Levine had a little bit different experience than former teammates Brace and Hinds. Levine began the year as an emergency goaltender with Toledo before signing on with Peoria. He did well for the Rivermen, posting a 2.70 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. Then the weirdness began. He was loaned out to Quad City and Syracuse to help with light goaltending situations. He ended the season on a loan with Allen (TX), where he didn't have the best finish.
Brandon Blandina (Class of '12)[/B]
Elmira Jackals (ECHL), Reading Royals (ECHL)[/I]
Blandina split last year between Elmira and Reading and repeated the feat again this year. After a slow start with Elmira, he was picked up by Reading in late November and turned it on. Blandina played 55 games for the Royals, scoring seven goals and registering 16 assists. He also made a few playoff appearances for the Royals.
Cody Crichton (Class of '12)[/B]
Ujpesti TE (Hungary)
The two-way forward bounced around various teams last year, but he found more stable work in Budapest, Hungary for 2013-14. Ujpesti is one of four Hungarian teams in the MOL Liga. Crichton played 19 games in Hungary, scoring five goals and totaling 14 points in his stint in Budapest.
Ron Cramer (Class of '12)[/B]
Bloomington Thunder (SPHL), Louisiana IceGators (SPHL)
Cramer's found a home in the rough-and-tumble SPHL. He began the year with Bloomington, where he put up 13 points in 30 games. The more impressive stat is his 160 penalty minutes in just 30 games. But in late January, Cramer was traded to Louisiana. He spent less time in the box with the IceGators, instead picking up his points pace a bit, as he added six more goals and four assists to his total in 21 games in Louisiana.
Brooks Ostergard (Class of '12)[/B]
Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
Ostergard was another well-traveled former Colonial, as he spent time with six different teams this past season. Unfortunately for Ostergard, he didn't get to play much in those travels. He appeared in just five games in his six stops.
Trevor Lewis (Class of '12)[/B]
Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), San Antonio Rampage (AHL)[/I]
For the second year in a row, Lewis had a brief stint in the AHL but he spent the bulk of his career with the Cyclones in the ECHL with a few of his former teammates. Lewis played in 47 games for Cincinnati, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists. He also helped the Cyclones into the playoffs, where he played eight more games.
Denny Urban (Class of '11)[/B]
San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Springfield Falcons (AHL)[/I]
At this point, Urban might be the closest former Robert Morris player to the NHL. He spent time in Florida's training camp before being sent down to San Antonio, where he played the next 30 games of the season. But in late February, Urban was on the move. Springfield acquired him from San Antonio to shore up its defense. Urban finished the year in Springfield, but the Falcons didn't make the playoffs. All told, Urban played in 43 games in his two stops, picking up two goals and 17 assists.
Nathan Longpre (Class of '11)[/B]
Chicago Wolves (AHL)[/I]
Along with Urban, Longpre is probably the closest RMU alum to the AHL. Like Urban, Longpre spent the entire season in the AHL, just one step down from the big time. In 66 games with Chicago, Longpre had his best point total of his pro career, as he scored six goals and picked up 14 assists. He also played in nine playoff games.
Chris Kushneriuk (Class of '11)
Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL)
The feel-good story of the year, Kushneriuk defeated cancer and returned to the ice in 2013-14. He missed the entire 2012-13 season because of his battle against the disease, but he was able to sign on in March with Las Vegas. He played 20 total games for the Wranglers, including two in the playoffs, and scored four goals while adding two assists.
Jake Obermeyer (Class of '09)[/B]
Tulsa Oilers (CHL)
After parts of three seasons with Evansville, Obermeyer had a new home this year. He signed on with Tulsa of the CHL and quietly put together a productive season. The stay-at-home defenseman had two goals and nine assists in 47 games with Tulsa. The Oilers made the playoffs but bowed out in six games. Obermeyer is one of the few players who knows where he'll be next year, as he's already signed on with Tulsa for next year.
Matt Krug (Class of '09)[/B]
Evansville Icemen (ECHL)[/I]
Krug played just one year with Robert Morris after transferring from Wayne State when that program shut down, but he's still a Colonial. Used to bouncing around a little bit, Krug stayed in Evansville all year and had one of his best seasons as a pro. In 69 games with the Icemen, Krug scored 12 goals and had 25 assists. He also established a career high 231 penalty minutes in the wild and whacky ECHL.
Ryan Cruthers (Class of '08)[/B]
Reading Royals (ECHL)[/I]
A prolific scorer in his two years at RMU, Cruthers has continued to pepper the net with pucks in his pro career. He went back to some familiar stomping grounds this year, too. Cruthers had spent parts of three other seasons with Reading and decided to sign there in December after taking some time off to work outside of his hockey career. Cruthers is now the Royals' all-time leading scorer, and he still has something in his game. He had 16 goals and 40 assists for his best season since 2009-10.
Sean Berkstresser (Class of '08)[/B]
Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL)[/I]
One of the original Colonials, Berkstresser has found a home in South Carolina. The Road Warriors love him, too, as Berkstresser was named captain this season. His fourth year in South Carolina went well, as he popped in 26 points in 67 games. Berkstresser captained Greenville all the way to the conference finals, but their season ended there.
Aaron Clarke (Class of '07)[/B]
Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL), Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL)[/I]
Clarke continues to be one of the more well-traveled former Colonials, as he spent time with four teams in the ECHL this year, playing for three of them. Clarke began the year in one of his normal stops, Kalamazoo. After 25 games with the Wings, he was traded to San Francisco, which turned around and dealt him one day later to Toledo. After 26 games with Toledo, he was traded to Orlando, which kept him for even less than San Francisco did, dealing him later in the day to Fort Wayne. So that's five teams, two of which he wasn't with long enough to even travel to.
All told, for the three teams he suited up for, Clarke played in 66 games and had 24 goals and 21 assists.
Kyle Frieday
[/B]Huntsville Havoc (SPHL), Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL)
[/I]Frieday played two seasons (2006-2008) with Robert Morris before finishing his career at Division III Adrian College. Since then, he's found a home in the SPHL. After spending the past two years with Fayetteville, Frieday moved on to Huntsville this season. But in late February, he was traded to Pensacola. Between the two teams, Frieday played in 29 games and had six points.
I believe that's everyone. If you know of anyone who played pro this year, please share.
Here's are the RMU alumni who were active last year and how they performed:
Andrew Blazek (Class of '14)
Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL)
After helping guide RMU to its first NCAA Tournament appearance, Blazek made his pro debut with 20 games in the ECHL. Cincinnati picked him up pretty quickly after RMU wrapped its season and threw Blazek right into the fire. He played six regular season games, registering his first four points as a pro, before capping his year with 14 postseason games.
Evan Renwick (Class of '14)
Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
A stay-at-home defenseman for Robert Morris, Renwick caught on with Orlando at the tail end of the regular season following RMU's NCAA Tournament appearance. Renwick didn't register a point in his brief spell with Orlando, but he played a total of six games - including four in the postseason - to get his first taste of pro action.
Adam Brace (Class of '13)[/B]
Charlotte Checkers (AHL), Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL), Stockton Thunder (ECHL)
Brace may have needed to look at his phone every once in a while in the morning just to have an idea of where he was. He always needed a bag packed in 2013-14, as he was part of six separate teams, dressing for four of them. Brace signed up again in the offseason with the Florida Everblades, only to join Charlotte before the season technically began. Ten games into his first stint into the AHL, he was on the move again, traded to San Antonio, which assigned him to Cincinnati in the ECHL. The Cyclones were his longest stop - 31 games, where he put up 21 points - but he was on the move again when he was traded to Bridgeport. After two games there, he was sent to the Tigers' ECHL affilliate for the final 18 games of the season and postseason.
All told, that's six teams in seven months. Even after a fairly successful season (17 goals, 24 assists in 59 games), here's guessing that Brace is hoping to stay in one place for a bit next year.
Zach Hervato (Class of '13)[/B]
Neuilly-sur-Marne (France)
A steady leader and center for Robert Morris, Hervato had a rough 2013-14. He had late start to the season, but he was able to land in France's second-tier league after changing a few things up. But early on in his tenure in France, Hervato was injured and missed some time. He ended up playing 25 games (six in the postseason) and scoring 13 goals in the regular season and playoffs combined. He's already signed to stay overseas, this time moving to Hull of the EIHL in the United Kingdom.
Tyler Hinds (Class of '13)[/B]
Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL), Evansville Icemen (ECHL), Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL), Toledo Walleye (ECHL)[/I]
The 2013 class could be considered the wanderers this year, because they rarely stayed in one place for long. Much like former teammate Brace, Hinds found himself part of a bunch of transactions this year. He began in Utah, was traded to Greenville, was placed on waivers and picked up Evansville, and then spent three short stints with Kalamazoo and Toledo after being waived twice more. Hinds ended up playing in 46 total games, scoring one goal and dishing out four assists.
Brendan Jamison (Class of '13)[/B]
Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)
The only member of the 2013 class to have a 'normal' season, Jamison spent the entirety of 2013-14 with Utah of the ECHL. He played in 56 total games, including five in the playoffs, registering six assists. The Pittsburgh native seems to have found a bit of a fit as a stay-at-home defenseman in the ECHL.
Eric Levine (Class of '13)[/B]
Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Peoria Rivermen (SPHL), Quad City Mallards (CHL), Syracuse Crunch (AHL), Allen Americans (CHL)
Another frequent member of the transactions list, Levine had a little bit different experience than former teammates Brace and Hinds. Levine began the year as an emergency goaltender with Toledo before signing on with Peoria. He did well for the Rivermen, posting a 2.70 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. Then the weirdness began. He was loaned out to Quad City and Syracuse to help with light goaltending situations. He ended the season on a loan with Allen (TX), where he didn't have the best finish.
Brandon Blandina (Class of '12)[/B]
Elmira Jackals (ECHL), Reading Royals (ECHL)[/I]
Blandina split last year between Elmira and Reading and repeated the feat again this year. After a slow start with Elmira, he was picked up by Reading in late November and turned it on. Blandina played 55 games for the Royals, scoring seven goals and registering 16 assists. He also made a few playoff appearances for the Royals.
Cody Crichton (Class of '12)[/B]
Ujpesti TE (Hungary)
The two-way forward bounced around various teams last year, but he found more stable work in Budapest, Hungary for 2013-14. Ujpesti is one of four Hungarian teams in the MOL Liga. Crichton played 19 games in Hungary, scoring five goals and totaling 14 points in his stint in Budapest.
Ron Cramer (Class of '12)[/B]
Bloomington Thunder (SPHL), Louisiana IceGators (SPHL)
Cramer's found a home in the rough-and-tumble SPHL. He began the year with Bloomington, where he put up 13 points in 30 games. The more impressive stat is his 160 penalty minutes in just 30 games. But in late January, Cramer was traded to Louisiana. He spent less time in the box with the IceGators, instead picking up his points pace a bit, as he added six more goals and four assists to his total in 21 games in Louisiana.
Brooks Ostergard (Class of '12)[/B]
Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
Ostergard was another well-traveled former Colonial, as he spent time with six different teams this past season. Unfortunately for Ostergard, he didn't get to play much in those travels. He appeared in just five games in his six stops.
Trevor Lewis (Class of '12)[/B]
Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), San Antonio Rampage (AHL)[/I]
For the second year in a row, Lewis had a brief stint in the AHL but he spent the bulk of his career with the Cyclones in the ECHL with a few of his former teammates. Lewis played in 47 games for Cincinnati, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists. He also helped the Cyclones into the playoffs, where he played eight more games.
Denny Urban (Class of '11)[/B]
San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Springfield Falcons (AHL)[/I]
At this point, Urban might be the closest former Robert Morris player to the NHL. He spent time in Florida's training camp before being sent down to San Antonio, where he played the next 30 games of the season. But in late February, Urban was on the move. Springfield acquired him from San Antonio to shore up its defense. Urban finished the year in Springfield, but the Falcons didn't make the playoffs. All told, Urban played in 43 games in his two stops, picking up two goals and 17 assists.
Nathan Longpre (Class of '11)[/B]
Chicago Wolves (AHL)[/I]
Along with Urban, Longpre is probably the closest RMU alum to the AHL. Like Urban, Longpre spent the entire season in the AHL, just one step down from the big time. In 66 games with Chicago, Longpre had his best point total of his pro career, as he scored six goals and picked up 14 assists. He also played in nine playoff games.
Chris Kushneriuk (Class of '11)
Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL)
The feel-good story of the year, Kushneriuk defeated cancer and returned to the ice in 2013-14. He missed the entire 2012-13 season because of his battle against the disease, but he was able to sign on in March with Las Vegas. He played 20 total games for the Wranglers, including two in the playoffs, and scored four goals while adding two assists.
Jake Obermeyer (Class of '09)[/B]
Tulsa Oilers (CHL)
After parts of three seasons with Evansville, Obermeyer had a new home this year. He signed on with Tulsa of the CHL and quietly put together a productive season. The stay-at-home defenseman had two goals and nine assists in 47 games with Tulsa. The Oilers made the playoffs but bowed out in six games. Obermeyer is one of the few players who knows where he'll be next year, as he's already signed on with Tulsa for next year.
Matt Krug (Class of '09)[/B]
Evansville Icemen (ECHL)[/I]
Krug played just one year with Robert Morris after transferring from Wayne State when that program shut down, but he's still a Colonial. Used to bouncing around a little bit, Krug stayed in Evansville all year and had one of his best seasons as a pro. In 69 games with the Icemen, Krug scored 12 goals and had 25 assists. He also established a career high 231 penalty minutes in the wild and whacky ECHL.
Ryan Cruthers (Class of '08)[/B]
Reading Royals (ECHL)[/I]
A prolific scorer in his two years at RMU, Cruthers has continued to pepper the net with pucks in his pro career. He went back to some familiar stomping grounds this year, too. Cruthers had spent parts of three other seasons with Reading and decided to sign there in December after taking some time off to work outside of his hockey career. Cruthers is now the Royals' all-time leading scorer, and he still has something in his game. He had 16 goals and 40 assists for his best season since 2009-10.
Sean Berkstresser (Class of '08)[/B]
Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL)[/I]
One of the original Colonials, Berkstresser has found a home in South Carolina. The Road Warriors love him, too, as Berkstresser was named captain this season. His fourth year in South Carolina went well, as he popped in 26 points in 67 games. Berkstresser captained Greenville all the way to the conference finals, but their season ended there.
Aaron Clarke (Class of '07)[/B]
Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL), Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL)[/I]
Clarke continues to be one of the more well-traveled former Colonials, as he spent time with four teams in the ECHL this year, playing for three of them. Clarke began the year in one of his normal stops, Kalamazoo. After 25 games with the Wings, he was traded to San Francisco, which turned around and dealt him one day later to Toledo. After 26 games with Toledo, he was traded to Orlando, which kept him for even less than San Francisco did, dealing him later in the day to Fort Wayne. So that's five teams, two of which he wasn't with long enough to even travel to.
All told, for the three teams he suited up for, Clarke played in 66 games and had 24 goals and 21 assists.
Kyle Frieday
[/B]Huntsville Havoc (SPHL), Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL)
[/I]Frieday played two seasons (2006-2008) with Robert Morris before finishing his career at Division III Adrian College. Since then, he's found a home in the SPHL. After spending the past two years with Fayetteville, Frieday moved on to Huntsville this season. But in late February, he was traded to Pensacola. Between the two teams, Frieday played in 29 games and had six points.
I believe that's everyone. If you know of anyone who played pro this year, please share.
