TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head men’s hockey coach Seth Appert has announced the team’s Class of 2012. The group of eight student-athletes includes six forwards, a defenseman and a goaltender. Two from the incoming class are from the United States while the others hail from Canada.

“Shawn (Kurulak) and Jim (Montgomery) have again traveled many miles to put together a deep and nationally competitive class.” said Appert. “These eight student-athletes will continue to push our program and our returning players to higher levels of success.”

Below is an alphabetical list of Rensselaer’s recruits with their 2007-08 regular season statistics, notes (if applicable) and a quote from Appert:

Alex Angers-Goulet
Forward
5-10/180
St. Augustin, QC/Langley Chiefs (BCJHL)
44 GP … 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points … 15 PIMs … Named team’s playoff Most Valuable Player after scoring 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists) in 12 games … Brother, Matt, will be a senior forward on the Engineers in 2008-09.
“Alex is an explosive, high-speed player who will fit well in our style of play.”

Mike Bergin
Defense
6-3/200
Kanata, ON/Smiths Falls Bears (CJHL)
33 GP … 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points … 38 PIMs
“Mike should be one of the best freshman defenseman in the country. His skating ability, toughness and two-way play make him a multiple threat.”

Patrick Cullen
Forward
6-0/190
Washington, DC/Indiana Ice (USHL)
58 GP … 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points … 52 PIMs
“Patrick is a goal scorer with a big-time shot who has the ability to be a point producer at our level.”

Christian Morissette
Forward
5-10/180
Beaconsfield, QC/Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
53 GP … 8 goals and 19 assists for 27 points … 22 PIMs
“Christian brings stick skill, imagination and a great offensive mind to our program.”

Josh Rabbani
Forward
5-11/200
Woodland Hills, CA/St. Louis Bandits (NAHL)
57 GP … 20 goals and 28 assists for 48 points … 31 PIMs … Team won National Championship … Had 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 11 playoff games.
“Josh has the mind and stick skill to produce at this level as he has produced at every level he has played.”

Justin Smith
Forward
6-2/205
Hammonds Plains, NS/Langley Chiefs (BCJHL)
53 GP … 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points … 32 PIMs
“Justin is a big physical power forward who will bring passion, energy and toughness to our team.”

Jordan Watts
Forward
5-10/175
Oakville, ON/Aurora Tigers (OPJHL)
35 GP … 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points … 74 PIMs … Tallied 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) with 29 PIMs in 19 playoff games
“Jordan has speed and skill but it is his intensity and abrasiveness to opponents that will excite our team and fans.”

Allen York
Goaltender
6-4/180
Wetaskiwin, AB/Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
37 GP … 24 wins, 5 losses, 3 ties … 2.24 GAA … .911 save % … Team played in Royal Bank Cup Championship for second consecutive season … Posted 11-3 record with 1.86 GAA and .935 save % in 14 playoff games … Sixth round draft pick (158th overall) of Columbus Blue Jackets in 2007.
“Allen is a proven winner who has the size, talent and competitiveness to be an elite collegiate goaltender.”