NHL prospects engineering success for RPI
RPI is off to a good start to their 2009-10 campaign with a 4-3-1 record. And it is their best start since their 5-2-0 start back in the 2007-08 season.
Much of the Engineers’ early season success has been thanks in large part to four of their six NHL prospects. And none have been as crucial to that success as sophomore Allen York (CBJ). The netminder from Westaskwin, AB has appeared in seven games to date, posting a 3-2-1 record. One of York’s most memorable games came back on Oct. 17 when he stopped 33 of 34 shots to gain a tie with Alaska in the Brice Gold Rush tournament in Fairbanks. RPI is also the only team thus far that Alaska has faced that they did not defeat.
Sophomore Mike Bergin (DAL) has returned to the RPI lineup looking better than ever after missing much of last season with an injury. He has appeared in all eight games to date. His five points (two goals, three assists) currently leads the Engineers in defenseman scoring.
A pair of highly touted freshmen in Brandon Pirri (CHI) and Jerry D’Amigo (TOR) round out the group. Both have lived up to their billing and have been keys to the much-improved RPI offense this season. Pirri leads RPI in rookie scoring with seven points (four goals, three assists). His four-point weekend versus Sacred Heart and AIC back on Oct. 23 and 24 earned him his first ECAC Rookie of the Week honor. D’Amigo follows Pirri with six points (two goals, four assists). Both of his goals have come on the power play. The two rookies have appeared in all eight games.