In the ten season of Tomahawks hockey in Johnstown, many of our alumni have gone on to have successful careers playing at the collegiate level. With the first half of the 2021-22 NCAA college hockey season coming to an end, here are some updates on what success our Tomahawks alumni have achieved.
Carson Briere – Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst University men’s hockey vs. Niagara, Dec. 16, 2020. Photo by Ed Mailliard
Briere had a major impact on the ice throughout his time with the Tomahawks. Arriving in Johnstown midseason during the 2017-18 season, Briere put up 22 points in 39 games for the Tomahawks, then came out flying in the 2018-19 season with 89 points (44G, 45A) in 59 games with the Tomahawks. Now in his sophomore season at Mercyhurst University, Briere was awarded AHA Player of the Week on October 18, and Atlantic Hockey Player of the month for the month of October after putting up 9 points (7G, 2A) in eight games.
Will Margel – UNH
Photo Courtesy of Jess Speechley
Margel joined the Tomahawks midseason last year, but his presence made an immediate impact. Despite being committed to the University of New Hampshire prior to arriving in Johnstown, Margel proved himself worthy of his commitment, tallying 51 points (23G, 28A) in just 37 games with the Tomahawks. Now in his freshman year with the Wildcats, Margel netted his first collegiate goal on November 27 against Holy Cross and his former teammate, John Gelatt. Prior to netting his first goal, the Potomac, MD native earned three assists in his first eight games played.
Max Kouznetsov – Canisus
Photo Courtesy of Tom Wolf
Kouznetsov put up big numbers in his one and only season with the Tomahawks in the 2019-20 season, earning 49 points (15G, 34A) in 45 games. Currently in his sophomore season at Canisus College, Kouznetsov finished off November with a 6-point weekend for the Griffins, including a 4-point night (2G, 2A) against the American International Yellow Jackets. His efforts earned him Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week in the final week of November.
Sam Solensky – Bemidji State
Photo Courtesy of Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer
Solensky was a household name for Tomahawks fans during his time in Johnstown, earning 155 points in his time with the Tomahawks. The Slovakia native is currently in his junior year at Bemidji State University and had a two-goal performance in a 5-2 win against St. Thomas on December 3, tying his goal total for last year. The Beavers currently have a 10-8-0 record in the 2021-22 season and are set to face off next against the defending national championship runner-up St. Cloud State Huskies on New Year’s Eve.
John Gelatt – Holy Cross
Photo Courtesy of Mark Seliger
Gelatt had a stellar rookie season with the Tomahawks with 54 points in 51 games last season, earning himself a commitment to the College of the Holy Cross, where he is currently in his freshman year with the Crusaders. The Middletown, New Jersey native led his team to a 3-2 victory over Niagara on December 4, scoring his first (and second goal) of his collegiate career. Gelatt’s efforts earned him Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week.
Christian Gorscak – Niagara
Photo Courtesy of Niagara University
Gorscak was also a well-known name in Johnstown during the three years he spent on the Tomahawks, putting up 101 points from 2017-2020. Currently in his sophomore year with the Purple Eagles at Niagara University, Gorscak has three points (2G, 1A), with one of his goals coming in the game played on December 4 against fellow alum, John Gelatt.