July 19, 2004

FAIRFIELD, CT - Sacred Heart University head men's ice hockey coach Shaun Hannah today announced the signing of five new student-athletes ready to join the fold for the 2004-05 season as the Pioneers look to build off last season's appearance in the Atlantic Hockey finals.

Among the five newcomers are forwards Alexandre Parent (Boisbriand, QC), Nick Kary (Wetaskiwin, AB), and Zach Dehm (Trumbull, CT) along with blueliners Frederic Harland (Rosemere, QC) and Scott Marchesi (South Portland, ME).

Parent, a 5'11" 175lbs forward was the assistant captain of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League champions, Gladiateurs de St. Eustache. Parent represented the league at the Fred Page Cup (the regional tournament for the Canadian National Championship) as well as being named the Most Outstanding Player of the league's all-star game. Alexandre tallied 69 points on 20 goals and 49 assists in 49 regular season games to be his team's second-leading scorer.

Joining Parent at the forward position will be Kary and Dehm. Kary, an assistant captain for the Lloydminster Blazers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League last season, scored 18 goals and had 16 helpers for 34 points. Dehm, a local product from Trumbull, CT played his high school hockey at Notre Dame of Fairfield. As a Lancer he lit the lamp 15 times along with seven assists for 22 points in 23 games.

Blueliners Harland and Marchesi will add size and depth to Hannah's corps of defenders. Harland, a teammate of Parent at Gladiateurs de St. Eustache, stands at 6'3" 210lbs and captained the team to the league championship and also represented the league at the Fred Page Cup. Harland, who plays a tough defensive style led St. Eustache to the lowest team goals against average in the league. Harland, a two-time Quebec Junior AAA Hockey All-Star, notched two goals and set up 23 others for 25 points on the season.

Marchese, at 6'2" will also add size to the Pioneers blue line. Scott played last season with the New Hampshire Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League and scored 10 goals with 16 assists for 26 points in 38 regular season games.

"We are very pleased with the caliber of our incoming class," stated Hannah. "Collectively the group brings the elements to our team that were lost due to graduation. They are a group of young men with a strong work ethic; solid character and most importantly, they are academically focused. Given these characteristics, they will fit in fine with our group of returning players and will help us to continue to build the hockey tradition at Sacred Heart University."