Three Cyclone Hockey players named to All-CSCHL teams
Goalie Matt Cooper saves a goal during the game against Illinois on Feb. 7. After going 0-2 in the first period, the Cyclones came back to score three goals in the second and two in the third to give them the 5-2 win over the Fighting Illini.
April 2, 2014
The coaches in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League honored a trio of Cyclone Hockey players by selecting them for the All-CSCHL teams.
Goalie Matt Cooper and forwards Jon Feavel and Chris Cucullu were the three Cyclones named to the All-League teams. Cooper was picked to the first team, while Feavel was elected to the second team and Cucullu to the All-Defensive Team.
ISU coach Jason Fairman said he was not surprised these players were recognized by the CSCHL due to their performances on the ice throughout the season.
“The other coaches have really acknowledged their talents and abilities,” Fairman said. “I think that all three are deserving of the rewards they received.”
When he was in front of the net this past season, Cooper was second in minutes with 860:53 and wins, nine, and posted a save percentage of .933 in the league.
Feavel was first in scoring for Iowa State in the CSCHL with 13 total points. It was when the Cyclones had a man in the penalty box, however, when he really showed he could be an offensive threat, scoring three short-handed goals during conference play.
Feavel and Cooper were able to put together these statistics despite missing a handful of conference games compared to other top goalies and forwards in the conference.
Even though he did not tally a single point when facing a CSCHL opponent last season, Fairman said Cucullu were able to aid Iowa State without using his stick on the ice.
“[Cucullu] was our go to guy defensively,” Fairman said. “He is an example on how I want our centers to play the defensive zones.”
In last few years, the CSCHL has become one of more prominent conferences in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. It had five teams ranked in the top 20 in the most recent ACHA poll.
With all the talent in the CSCHL, Cooper believed there could have been a number of goalies in his spot.
“I was very excited to be selected to the first team,” Cooper said. “I know there are a lot of goalies in our conference, and our conference is very stacked. It is a lot of good competition, so I was shocked to be named the number one guy.”
Iowa State was tied with Lindenwood for fewest players on the All-CSCHL Teams. For Feavel, though, several other Cyclones could have made the cut.
“J.P. [Kascsak] — the skills he has are unbelievable,” Feavel said. “Guys like Chase Rey and Nate Percy had great seasons. I know I am leaving out some guys, too. And yeah, I think there were guys that were some great candidates to make it.”
The ACHA All-American teams will be announced later this year.
