Friday, March 22, 2013

McAvoy Added To USANTDP Evaluation Camp Roster

Press Release

NEWARK, NJ – The New Jersey Rockets are pleased to announce that MJHL Defenseman Charlie McAvoy (’97 birth year/Long Beach, NY) has been extended an invitiation to the USA Hockey National Team Development Evaluation Camp in Ann Arbor, Michigan from March 22nd through the 26th.  McAvoy joins fellow Rockets Jeremy Bracco (’97 birth year/Freeport, NY & committed to Harvard University) and Nolan Aibel (’97 birth year/Brookville, NY & committed to Yale University) in participating in the Evaluation Camp and the trio hopes to follow in the footsteps of Rocket alumni Kevin Labanc (’95 birth year/Staten Island, NY & committed to the University of Notre Dame) and Ryan Hitchcock (’96 birth year/Manhasset, NY & committed to Yale University).

In addition to his Rocket teammates, McAvoy joins Metro Moose defenseman Steven Ruggiero (’97 birth year/Kings Park, NY) along with  AYHL alumni Donovan Ott (’97 birth year/Lebanon, PA & committed to Cornell University), Troy Henley (’97 birth year/Paulsboro, NJ) and Joseph Masonius (’97 birth year/Spring Lake, NJ), who were also among the invited, giving the Atlantic District quite a presence in Ann Arbor.

McAvoy, currently a finalist for the MJHL’s Offensive Defenseman Award, finished first in the MJHL in scoring among defensemen with 43 points (12G 31A) in 34 league games.  The Long Beach, New York native also added 16 points (6G 10A) in 37 exhibition games and McAvoy also added 1 assist in 6 contests with the AJHL Rockets for an outstanding rookie season of 60 points (18G 42A) in 77 regular season contests.  In the MJHL playoffs, McAvoy has really shined, tying for the team lead in points with 10 (3G 7A) in 8 games.

With the addition of McAvoy to the camp roster, the New Jersey Rockets become the first team in the Atlantic District to have three players sent to the USANTDP Evaluation Camp in the same season.

“This is a great opportunity for Charlie and one that is well-deserved,” commented New Jersey Rockets Head Coach and Director of Player Development Bob Thornton.  “Charlie has had a really strong second half of the year and had a great OHL Cup Tournament.  He is one of the most gifted offensive-minded defensemen in his birth year.  One of the added benefits to Charlie is that is he has so much of his best hockey still ahead of him and is continuing to develop physically.  If he makes the program, the NTDP is getting an outstanding hockey player.”

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

No comments: