WINTHROP, Mass. – Freshman goaltender
Jake Sibell has been named the Atlantic Hockey Coaches' Preseason Rookie of the Year, announced by the league on Tuesday.
Sibell joins Niagara from the Aberdeen Wings, which is part of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). During the 2020-21 season, Sibell made 1,105 saves and had a save percentage of 95.2%. He recoded 11 shutouts and compiled a record of 43-2-1, with a 1.19 goals against average. Sibell played in 11 playoff games and went 8-2-1 with a 1.93 goals against average and a 92.9% save percentage.
Sibell was named the NAHL Goaltender of the Year and the NAHL Most Valuable Player. He had the best save percentage and goals against average in the NAHL and set NAHL single season records in both categories. Sibell also earned the USA Hockey Junior Goalie of the Year (Doug Peterson Award) and was an NAHL All-Central Division Team and NAHL First All-Star Team selection.
Atlantic Hockey also announced the results of the preseason coaches' poll. Niagara was selected to finish tied for sixth.
The Purple Eagles went 7-12-3 overall and 3-9-3-1 in conference play. Niagara defeated Mercyhurst, 3-2, in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey Tournament and won a three-game quarterfinal series against Robert Morris. The Purple Eagles fell to AIC, 2-1, in the semifinal game.
Niagara returns 18 players from last year's squad and welcomes 12 newcomers.
The Purple Eagles open the season with a two-game series at North Dakota Oct. 8-9.
2021-22 Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rk. Team (1st Votes) Points
1. AIC (9) 90
2. Canisius (1) 72
3. Army West Point 69
4. RIT 64
5. Sacred Heart 63
6t. Niagara 50
6t. Mercyhurst 50
8. Bentley 35
9. Air Force 28
10. Holy Cross 19
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