2023–24 RPI Engineers men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 RPI Engineers Men's ice hockey season was the 104th season of play for the program and the 62nd in ECAC Hockey. The Engineers represented Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, played their home games at Houston Field House and were coached by Dave Smith in his 6th season.

2023–24 RPI Engineers
men's ice hockey season
Conference12th ECAC Hockey
Home iceHouston Field House
Rankings
USCHONR
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall10–23–4
Conference6–13–3
Home4–9–3
Road6–13–1
Neutral0–1–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachDave Smith
Assistant coachesMathias Lange
Chuck Weber
Liam Thrawl
Captain(s)Jake Gagnon
RPI Engineers men's ice hockey seasons
« 2022–23 2024–25 »

Season

From the very start of the season, Rensselaer encountered a problem that would plague them all year long. In their first four games, the defense surrendered a veritable avalanche of shots to the opposing teams. While their opposition at this time would all end up finishing the year ranked in the top 20, the porous defense persisted. Their three goaltenders, who weren't brilliant to begin with, suffered as a result. RPI allowed at least 4 goals in ten of their first twelve games and gave the team little chance to win from night to night. At one point, the team turned to Brett Miller, a senior who had seen very little playing time in his college career, as starter but that experiment lasted just a few games. It wasn't until after Christmas that the Watson was able to settle down and string together some decent performances.

After winning four of five coming out of the winter break, Rensselaer miraculously found itself in the middle of the conference standings. The reprieve, however, was short-lived. The defense faltered and team won just twice in its final fourteen games. The Engineers stumbled to a last-place finish in ECAC Hockey and entered the postseason with no momentum or expectations. However, once the postseason began, RPI found itself with an opportunity. Rensselaer was pitted against its long-time rival, Clarkson, and they relished the chance to ruin the Golden Knights' season. The Engineers scored twice in the first period to take an early lead all the while letting Clarkson sleep-walk through the opening 40 minutes. After Sutter Muzzatti increased the team's lead in third, the Knights finally fought back and ended up firing 22 shots in the third period. They managed to get the puck past Watson twice but he held up over the final two minutes and carried the Engineers to victory.

The rather surprising upset caused RPI to be set against defending national champion Quinnipiac in the quarterfinals. The first match was entirely controlled by the Bobcats but RPI gave a good performance in the rematch. The match remained close throughout until Quinnipiac scored two-empty-net goals in the final 70 seconds.

Rensselaer finished the season with one of its worst defensive performances. RPI had allowed more than 4 goals against on average and were the second-worst defensive team that season. Only Stonehill, who was in the process of transitioning from Division II, was worse.[1]

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Kyle HallbauerDefenseman United StatesGraduation (signed with Adirondack Thunder)
Louis HelsenDefenseman United StatesGraduation (retired)
Rory HerrmanForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Cardiff Devils)
Mason KleeDefenseman United StatesGraduate transfer to Ohio State
Reid LeiboldDefenseman United StatesLeft program (retired)
Ryan MahshieForward CanadaGraduate transfer to Connecticut
James McIsaacForward CanadaLeft program (retired)
Henri SchreifelsForward United StatesTransferred to Stonehill
T. J. WalshForward United StatesGraduate transfer to Sacred Heart

Recruiting

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Ryan BrushettForward Canada25Verdun, QC; graduate transfer from Massachusetts Lowell
Tyler HotsonForward Canada20Stratford, ON
Lucas MattaDefenseman Canada20Kleinburg, ON; transfer from Western Michigan
Brad McNeilForward United States21Royal Oak, MI
Jérémie PayantForward Canada20Saint-Lazare, QC
C. J. RegulaDefenseman United States25West Bloomfield, MI; graduate transfer from Ohio State
Nathan SullivanForward United States19Calgary, AB
Dovar TinlingForward Canada20Pointe-Claire, QC; transfer from Vermont

Roster

As of September 19, 2023.[2]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Carson Cherepak Sophomore G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-10-09 Winnipeg, Manitoba Dauphin (MJHL)
3 Lauri Sertti Senior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-07-11 Espoo, Finland Amarillo (NAHL)
6 Jack Agnew Senior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-10-22 Oakville, Ontario Boston College (HEA)
7 Max Smolinski Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2003-04-02 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Fargo (USHL)
8 C. J. Regula Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998-05-29 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Ohio State (Big Ten)
9 Ryan Brushett Graduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-06-14 Montreal, Quebec UMass Lowell (HEA)
10 Dylan Davies Senior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-02-09 Traverse City, Michigan Sioux Falls (USHL)
11 Nick Ardanaz Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-05-30 Surrey, British Columbia West Kelowna (BCHL)
12 Austin Heidemann Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-06-27 Blaine, Minnesota Mercyhurst (AHA)
14 John Evans Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 2002-04-08 South Surrey, British Columbia West Kelowna (BCHL)
15 Altti Nykänen Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2001-09-26 Vihti, Finland Bishop's College (CISAA)
17 John Beaton Senior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-10-30 Stittsville, Ontario Youngstown (USHL)
18 Jakob Lee Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-02-12 Owen Sound, Ontario Merrimack (HEA)
19 Sutter Muzzatti Sophomore F 6' 6" (1.98 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 2003-06-28 Okemos, Michigan Austin (NAHL) NSH, 143rd overall 2023
20 Nathan Sullivan Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 2004-05-31 Calgary, Alberta Camrose (AJHL)
22 Danny Ciccarello Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2001-03-23 Kirkland, Quebec Fort McMurray (AJHL)
23 Nick Strom Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-03-21 Dayton, Minnesota Western Michigan (NCHC)
24 Jack Brackett Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-12-31 Manassas, Virginia Maryland (NAHL)
25 Dovar Tinling Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-03-03 Pointe-Claire, Quebec Penticton (BCHL)
27 Jake Gagnon (C) Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-11-04 Pointe-Claire, Quebec Wellington (OJHL)
28 Tyler Hotson Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 2003-03-17 Stratford, Ontario Sioux City (USHL)
29 Brendan Budy Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-06-06 Langley, British Columbia North Dakota (NCHC)
30 Brett Miller Senior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-04-26 Northville, Michigan Austin (NAHL)
34 Jack Watson Junior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-03-14 Toronto, Ontario Coquitlam (BCHL)
43 Brad McNeil Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2002-03-15 Royal Oak, Michigan Maryland (NAHL)
51 Finn Brown Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-04-06 Toronto, Ontario Alberni Valley (BCHL)
61 Lucas Matta Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-10-04 Kleinburg, Ontario Western Michigan (BCHL)
71 Jérémie Payant Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-10-07 Saint-Lazare, Quebec Nanaimo (BCHL)

Standings

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#6 Quinnipiac221741020549939392710216079
#9 Cornell *22126412344744535227611565
Colgate2213722224385683616164120112
Dartmouth2296711337666032131099291
Clarkson22129142136625835181619597
Union2291031123275753716183123121
St. Lawrence228104111294964391419690118
Harvard22610612328496432719670106
Princeton228113402257090301016489114
Yale22713212125465730101826391
Brown2261422312243693081936198
Rensselaer226133000215889371023493150
Championship: March 23, 2024
† indicates conference regular season champion (Cleary Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Whitelaw Cup)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Exhibition
October 7 3:00 pm Union* Houston Field HouseTroy, New York (Rivalry, Exhibition)ESPN+   T 2–2 SOW  
October 8 3:00 pm Guelph* Houston Field HouseTroy, New York (Exhibition)ESPN+   W 6–4   
Regular Season
October 12 7:00 pm at Maine* Alfond ArenaOrono, MaineESPN+ Watson L 1–4  4,135 0–1–0
October 13 7:00 pm at Maine* Alfond ArenaOrono, MaineESPN+ Cherepak L 3–6  5,143 0–2–0
October 20 7:00 pm at #3 Boston College* Conte ForumChestnut Hill, MassachusettsESPN+ Watson L 1–6  5,802 0–3–0
October 21 7:00 pm at #10 Providence* Schneider ArenaProvidence, Rhode IslandESPN+ Cherepak L 2–4  2,026 0–4–0
November 3 7:00 pm at Union Achilles RinkSchenectady, New York (Rivalry)ESPN+ Watson W 8–6  1,979 1–4–0 (1–0–0)
November 4 7:00 pm Union Houston Field HouseTroy, New York (Rivalry)ESPN+ Cherepak L 1–5  3,250 1–5–0 (1–1–0)
November 10 7:00 pm at Clarkson Cheel ArenaPotsdam, New York (Rivalry)ESPN+ Cherepak W 4–2  2,881 2–5–0 (2–1–0)
November 11 7:00 pm at St. Lawrence Appleton ArenaCanton, New YorkESPN+ Cherepak L 4–2  1,386 2–6–0 (2–2–0)
November 25 7:00 pm Northeastern* Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Cherepak T 3–3 OT 1,930 2–6–1
November 26 7:00 pm Northeastern* Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Cherepak L 2–9  1,856 2–7–1
December 1 7:00 pm #5 Quinnipiac Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Cherepak L 1–5  1,856 2–8–1 (2–3–0)
December 2 7:00 pm Princeton Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Miller L 4–6  2,241 2–9–1 (2–4–0)
December 9 4:00 pm at #16 New Hampshire* Whittemore CenterDurham, New HampshireESPN+ Miller L 0–1  5,299 2–10–1
December 15 7:00 pm Minnesota State* Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Miller W 4–3 OT 1,477 3–10–1
December 16 7:00 pm Minnesota State* Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Miller L 2–4  1,635 3–11–1
December 29 3:00 pm at Canisius* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Watson W 6–3  719 4–11–1
December 30 1:00 pm at Canisius* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Watson W 2–1  735 5–11–1
January 5 7:00 pm Yale Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Miller L 1–2  1,677 5–12–1 (2–5–0)
January 6 7:00 pm Brown Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Watson W 2–1  1,572 6–12–1 (3–5–0)
January 12 7:00 pm St. Lawrence Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Watson W 6–3  1,600 7–12–1 (4–5–0)
January 13 7:00 pm Clarkson Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Watson L 1–4  3,026 7–13–1 (4–6–0)
January 19 7:00 pm at Harvard Bright-Landry Hockey CenterBoston, MassachusettsESPN+ Watson L 3–6  1,905 7–14–1 (4–7–0)
January 20 7:00 pm at Dartmouth Thompson ArenaHanover, New HampshireESPN+ Miller L 2–6  1,578 7–15–1 (4–8–0)
January 27 6:00 pm vs. Union* MVP ArenaAlbany, New York (Mayor's Cup)  Watson L 3–5  5,698 7–16–1
February 2 7:00 pm at Brown Meehan AuditoriumProvidence, Rhode IslandESPN+ Watson W 3–1  679 8–16–1 (5–8–0)
February 3 7:00 pm at Yale Ingalls RinkNew Haven, ConnecticutESPN+ Watson T 1–1 SOL 1,674 8–16–2 (5–8–1)
February 9 7:00 pm #13 Cornell Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Watson L 1–4  2,317 8–17–2 (5–9–1)
February 10 7:00 pm Colgate Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Watson T 5–5 SOL 4,290 8–17–3 (5–9–2)
February 16 7:00 pm at Princeton Hobey Baker Memorial RinkPrinceton, New JerseyESPN+ Watson W 4–3  1,098 9–17–3 (6–9–2)
February 17 7:00 pm at #9 Quinnipiac M&T Bank ArenaHamden, ConnecticutESPN+ Watson L 2–7  3,261 9–18–3 (6–10–2)
February 23 7:00 pm Dartmouth Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Watson L 1–5  2,186 9–19–3 (6–11–2)
February 24 4:00 pm Harvard Houston Field HouseTroy, New YorkESPN+ Watson T 2–2 SOL 2,465 9–19–4 (6–11–3)
March 1 7:00 pm at Colgate Class of 1965 ArenaHamilton, New YorkESPN+ Watson L 2–6  908 9–20–4 (6–12–3)
March 2 7:00 pm at #13 Cornell Lynah RinkIthaca, New YorkESPN+ Watson L 1–3  3,723 9–21–4 (6–13–3)
ECAC Hockey Tournament
March 9 7:00 pm Clarkson* Cheel ArenaPotsdam, New York (First Round, Rivalry)ESPN+ Watson W 3–2  2,834 10–21–4
March 15 7:00 pm at #7 Quinnipiac* M&T Bank ArenaHamden, Connecticut (Quarterfinal Game 1)ESPN+ Watson L 1–5  2,721 10–22–4
March 16 7:00 pm at #7 Quinnipiac* M&T Bank ArenaHamden, Connecticut (Quarterfinal Game 2)ESPN+ Watson L 2–5  2,909 10–23–4
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[3]

Scoring statistics

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Austin HeidemannF371116278
Sutter MuzzattiF3310152579
Tyler HotsonF371392232
Ryan BrushettC376152114
Dovar TinlingC345121743
Jake GagnonRW3086148
Max SmolinskiD372111350
John BeatonC3248122
Jakob LeeC23741141
John EvansF1646102
Jack BrackettF331894
Brad McNeilF364489
Lauri SerttiD3626816
C. J. RegulaD2925722
Jack AgnewD3725716
Nick StromD3707710
Jimmy GoffredoD2233619
Danny CiccarelloF254156
Jérémie PayantC1922410
Altti NykänenF71340
Nick ArdanazD181236
Lucas MattaD3211212
Finn BrownLW160110
Nathan SullivanF2101110
Dylan DaviesD/F30002
Brett MillerG70000
Carson CherepakG90000
Brendan BudyLW150008
Jack WatsonG230000
Total95152247429

[4]

Goaltending statistics

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Jack Watson231351:418123816810.8943.60
Brett Miller7397:00150251980.8883.78
Carson Cherepak9473:53161342420.8774.30
Empty Net-22:17---10----
Total372243:511023415011210.8824.01

Rankings

Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 and 25.[5]
Note: USA Today did not release a poll in week 12.

References

  1. "Men's Division I Hockey Standings:". USCHO. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. "2023-24 Men's Hockey Roster". RPI Engineers. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  3. "2023-24 Men's Hockey Schedule". RPI Engineers. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  4. "RPI (Rensselaer Polytech. Inst.) 2023-2024 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  5. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
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