Two former Hobart College hockey players recently signed to play professionally with Etoile Noire de Strasbourg. Statesmen defenders Matt Pizzo ’19 and Tanner Shaw ’19 will continue as teammates in France next season.
Pizzo and Shaw played key roles on a Hobart defensive unit that ranked 16th in the nation in scoring defense (2.16 goals per game). The Statesmen posted six shutouts this season, a Hobart season record. They shared the Holden Award for sportsmanship, character and leadership with Jack Macnee ’19 and Jonas Toupal ’19. As first-years, Pizzo and Shaw played a major role in Hobart’s defensive group that set the season record allowing just 1.77 GAA.
A captain, Pizzo played in 30 games this season, recording a career-high 11 assists. He added a pair of goals to finish the year with 13 points. Pizzo set up two goals in Hobart’s home opening win over Elmira. He also had a multi-point game (1g, 1a) in a win over Babson. He was 10th in the NEHC in defenseman scoring. Pizzo was second on the team with 22 blocked shots.
In 79 career games, Pizzo recorded 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points. He was a three time all-academic team selection.
“My time playing for Hobart helped me to be my best in every game and practice,” Pizzo said. “We had a lot of success over the past four years and that made it competitive to crack the lineup. This competitiveness is something I plan to carry with me everywhere I go.”
Also a captain, Shaw played in 29 games on the blue line this season. He recorded six goals and nine assists for 15 points. Shaw earned a spot on the All-NEHC second team. He had a pair of goals, including the game-winning goal in Hobart’s 3-1 win over New England College Nov. 17. Shaw logged a goal and an assist in a 6-1 win over Southern Maine and had a pair of assists against Oswego and Elmira. He was seventh in the NEHC in points by a defenseman and 14th in power-play goals (3). Shaw had 16 blocked shots this season.
Shaw played in 112 games during his career, the second most all-time by a Statesman. He had 19 goals and 47 assists for 66 points. Shaw was named a third team All-American following his junior season. He was a three-time all-academic team selection.
“The winning culture of Hobart hockey instilled in us from Day 1 motivated everyone in our class to better themselves,” Shaw said. “Without the consistent accountability from my teammates, I wouldn’t be half the player I am today, and I thank them for that. Hobart gave me an environment for myself to grow not only as a player but as a person. I will be continuously grateful to the coaching staff and all the guys in the locker room for years to come.”
Pizzo and Shaw join fellow Hobart hockey alum Lino Chimienti ’16 and Ben Greiner ’18, who play for Jokers de Cergy, in France’s top men’s division, Synerglace Ligue Magnus.
