ALBANY, N.Y. — ECAC Hockey has announced the 2021 First Team All-League, and seven student-athletes from the four competing institutions have been honored.
First-Team Goaltender: Keith Petruzzelli, Quinnipiac University
Petruzzelli (Wilbraham, Mass.) put together the best season of an already outstanding collegiate career this year, ranking in the Top-10 nationally in GAA (6th – 1.78), save percentage (9th – .929), winning percentage (8th – .704), and shutouts (T3rd – 4). He was a four time MAC Goaltending Goalie of the Week, and earned Goaltender of the Month honors in February.
First-Team Defenseman: Zach Metsa, Quinnipiac University
Metsa (Delafield, Wisc.) had a breakout junior campaign, leading a Quinnipiac defense that allowed just 1.90 goals per-game this season. The Bobcats had the No. 3 ranked scoring defense in the country, and No. 5 ranked penalty kill, where Metsa played a large role. In just 27 games, he recorded 25 points.
First-Team Defenseman: Connor McCarthy, Clarkson University
McCarthy (LaSalle, Que.) was the defensive leader on a Clarkson team that spent a majority of the season ranked in the Top-15 of both national polls. He finished the season with eight points on three goals and five assists, while also blocking 21 shots. In games where McCarthy recorded a point, the Golden Knights were 5-0-1.
First-Team Forward: Odeen Tufto, Quinnipiac University
Tufto (Chaska, Minn.) was un-arguably one of the top players in the nation this season, ranking second in the country with 44 points (1.63 points per-game). He led the country in assists with 38, which was more than 10 more than the second place skater. His consistency in scoring was unmatched, as he registered points in 22 of 27 games this year. He was also one of the best in the league in the circle, going 349-204 in draws.
First-Team Forward: Zach Tsekos, Clarkson University
Tsekos (Montreal, Que.) was one of the top two-way forwards in ECAC Hockey this season, recording 17 points while blocking 18 shots. He was also excellent in the face-off circle, winning 205 draws while losing just 156. He was consistent throughout the season, recording points in 12 of Clarkson’s 20 games, including four multi-point performances.
First-Team Forward: Cameron Buhl, St. Lawrence University
Buhl (South St. Paul, Minn.) was fourth in the league in scoring during ECAC Hockey play this season, registering 12 points on three goals and nine assists. His scoring was extremely balanced, as the sophomore recorded points in 10 of the 15 games he played. His game-winning goal against Colgate on January 7 turned out to be a difference maker in the Saints season, as it elevated them to the No. 3 seed in the ECAC Hockey championship.
First-Team Forward: Josh McKechney, Colgate University
McKechney (Calgary, Alb.) put together one of his best seasons to date while wearing the “C” for Colgate this season. In 21 games, he registered 11 points on six goals and five assists, which included points in four of the teams last six games. The season finale at Quinnipiac turned out to be his best outing of the season, as the senior registered a goal and assist in the 4-3 win.
