Impact players arrive in Division 3 hockey through a variety of different routes.
Many come from strong junior leagues. Others make the jump from prep schools. And, thanks to recent NCAA legislation, some come via the transfer portal after starting their careers in Division 1.
There was a lot of movement this offseason after two Division 1 schools suspended their programs (Robert Morris and Alabama-Huntsville) and an NCAA ruling in April granted players a chance to transfer and compete immediately for their new teams.
Here is a look at eight former D-1 guys who are making a big impact in D-3 this season.
Corey Clifton, soph., F, UMass Boston
The latest prospect from the Clifton hockey family joined the Beacons this year after playing his freshman year at Quinnipiac, where he did not appear in a game. He’s skated in all 11 for UMass Boston (6-4-1, 3-2-1 NEHC), chipping in two goals and two assists, and adding depth to an attack that’s averaging nearly 4 goals a game.
Derek Contessa, jr., F, Endicott
In the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Contessa, the Gulls (7-2-1, 5-2-1 CCC) have added a big-bodied winger to an already potent offense. The former Sacred Heart player is second on the team with four goals; he scored in both games against Curry last weekend and has also racked up 29 penalty minutes.
Reid Cooper, sr., G, Curry
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Cooper landed at Curry after Robert Morris suspended its program, and is a big reason why the Colonels are off to a stellar 8-1-1 (6-1-1 CCC) start. He’s won five times and tied once in six appearances, and his 1.81 goals-against average and .921 save percentage both rank high. Sophomore Robert Polasek was in net on Saturday when Curry suffered its first loss, 5-2 at Endicott.
Nicholas Latinovich, gr., G, Salve Regina
Latinovich actually transferred from Clarkson last year, but because the Seahawks did not play a single game due to COVID this is our first look at him. It’s been impressive so far. The 6-foot-1 Ontario native owns a 7-3 record, 2.00 GAA and .931 save percentage, one of a handful of D-1 transfers who have joined the program in recent years and upped the talent level.
Jax Murray, soph., F, Trinity
The Minnesota native transferred after playing one season at Arizona State and is the leading scorer for the Bantams (3-3, 2-2 NESCAC), with six goals and nine points. Four of his goals have come on the power play. He'll try to help Trinity snap a three-game losing streak Tuesday against independent Albertus Magnus. At ASU he produced five goals and 10 points in 22 games, and his .263 shooting percentage was the highest on the team.
Joe Nagle (Weymouth, Mass.), soph., D, Norwich
Nagle is another key addition to what’s shaping up to be an excellent Norwich defense, though Saturday’s 6-4 loss to Babson -- the team’s first -- won’t go down as a high point. The former Boston Advantage blueliner is impacting the game at both ends with a pair of goals and four assists, and his plus-8 rating is one of the higher ones on the team. He skated in seven games for UNH last season with a minus-4 rating.
Patrick Pugliese, soph., G, Trinity
Pugliese dressed several times for Niagara last year but did not see any game action. The Loomis Chaffee product came back to Connecticut and has established himself as the No. 1 for a team with NESCAC title aspirations. He’s off to a strong start, with a 2.23 GAA and .925 save percentage through five games.
Whim Stalberg, soph., F, Plymouth State
You’d have to make a wager on Stalberg (two goals and two assists for four points) having success based on his bloodlines alone. Like cousin Viktor, who enjoyed an eight-year career in the NHL and won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013, he began his career at Vermont before moving to Plymouth State, which is off to a 7-1-1 start (5-0-1 MASCAC) that includes a 12-1 pasting of Salem State on Saturday.
@MikeZhe603
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