Monday, June 15, 2015
Former Stars Hoist Calder, Kelly Cups
Alumni among offensive leaders for Manchester Monarchs, Allen Americans as they capture titles.
Former NCAA stars figured prominently in the AHL and ECHL championships, captured last weekend, as the Manchester Monarchs and Allen Americans won the Calder and Kelly Cups, respectively.
AHL President and CEO Dave Andrews presented the Calder Cup to former Miami defenseman Vincent LoVerde, captain of the Monarchs, after their 4-1 series win against the Utica Comets. LoVerde – who scored the game-winning goal in the decisive Game 5 – led a group that featured nine former U.S. college players.
Rookie Michael Mersch (Wisconsin) shared the AHL playoff scoring lead with 22 points, including 13 goals. He was trailed closely by regular-season MVP Brian O’Neill (Yale). Nick Shore (Denver), Sean Backman (Yale) and Nic Dowd (St. Cloud State). Five of the Monarchs’ top six scorers were former NCAA players.
The Allen Americans won the ECHL’s Kelly Cup in seven games against the South Carolina Stingrays, led by playoff MVP and former Northern Michigan star Greger Hanson.
Four of the Americans’ top five scorers were NCAA alumni, with Chad Costello (Northeastern), Chris Crane (Ohio State) and Gary Steffes (Miami) trailing Hanson.
Riley Gill (Western Michigan) played 21 games in goal for Allen, stopping 27 of 28 shots in the decisive Game 7 victory.
| Calder Cup Champions: Manchester Monarchs | |
| Sean Backman | Yale |
| Nic Dowd | St. Cloud State |
| Derek Forbort | North Dakota |
| Kevin Gravel | St. Cloud State |
| Vincent LoVerde | Miami |
| Michael Mersch | Wisconsin |
| Brian O’Neill | Yale |
| Nick Shore | Denver |
| David Van der Gulik | Boston University |
| Kelly Cup Champions: Allen Americans | |
| Justin Baker | St. Lawrence |
| Chad Costello | Northeastern |
| Chris Crane | Ohio State |
| Nolan Descoteaux | RIT |
| Kyle Follmer | Northern Michigan |
| Aaron Gens | Alaska |
| Riley Gill | Western Michigan |
| Greger Hanson | Northern Michigan |
| Trevor Ludwig | Providence |
| Tyler Ludwig | Western Michigan |
| Joel Rumpel | Wisconsin |
| Rylan Schwartz | Colorado College |
| Gary Steffes | Miami |
| Steve Martinson (HC) | St. Cloud State |
| Erik Adams (AC) | Denver |
Includes all players who have in the 2015 playoffs