Kalemba, defense to lead men's hockey

After one of its most successful seasons in recent memory, Princeton men’s hockey returns this season with many of the weapons that led the team to a second-straight NCAA tournament appearance and a third-place finish in the conference standings last year.

Back in net for Princeton is Zane Kalemba ’10, who led the Eastern College Athletic Conference last season in save percentage and ranked second in goals-against average. The reigning ECAC and Ivy League Player of the Year, Kalemba begins his senior year as a preseason All-American and All-ECAC pick.

“Having Zane back is certainly a nice feeling,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said. “He is more important to the team than his play — as great as it is — ­indicates. He is incredibly tough mentally and is such a calming influence defensively.”

Although Princeton graduated two of its top three scorers from last season — Lee Jubinville ’09 and Brett Wilson ’09 — it returns a solid core of scorers. Among those in the offensive mix are senior forwards Mark Magnowski, Kevin Kaiser, and Tyler Beachell, and juniors Sam Sabky, Matt Arhontas, Kevin Lohry, and Mike Kramer.  

Cam MacIntyre ’10, who played in just 14 games last season because of injury, returns healthy this year and should provide a much-needed spark to the Princeton offense. He notched 13 goals and 18 assists as a sophomore in 2007­–08.

Princeton returns its entire core from what was the ECAC’s best defense last season, including senior Brad Schroeder, one of the top defenders in the conference and, according to Gadowsky, the best shot-blocker in college hockey.

“Schroeder is better than any player I have ever coached, college or pro,” Gadowsky said of the defenseman’s shot-blocking abilities. “It’s impossible to play with Brad and not improve your defensive commitment.”