ROCHESTER, N.Y. – March 15, 2012 –A trio of Robert Morris men’s hockey players earned Atlantic Hockey Association honors on Thursday night as Nick Chiavetta, Tyson Wilson and Cody Crichton were recognized at the league’s awards banquet in Rochester. Chiavetta was honored with the league’s Best Defensive Forward Award while Crichton was named to the Atlantic Hockey Third Team and Wilson was tabbed as a member of the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team. 

“It’s nice to see our guys’ hard work get rewarded by the league,” Colonials head coach Derek Schooley said. “We knew coming in to the season that we’d have to have new guys contribute, and these three men really stepped up the challenge.”

Chiavetta (Harrisburg, Pa. / New York Applecore) was honored by the league with the AHA’s Best Defensive Forward Award. Chiavetta was an anchor on Robert Morris’ best-in-the-nation penalty killing unit as a senior. The Colonial penalty kill finished the year ranked first in the NCAA at .899 (143-for-158) while Chiavetta also more than doubled his career point total in his final campaign with the program. After posting nine goals in his first three years with RMU, Chiavetta netted 10 as a senior and also doubled his career assists total from 11 in his first three years to 12 in 2011-12. Chiavetta, who closed out his career with 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists), also posted a career-best 19 blocks this season. The senior’s 122-straight games to end his career are the second most ever at Robert Morris – one game behind fellow senior Trevor Lewis.

“Nick Chiavetta just had a terrific year for us and did absolutely everything we asked him to this season,” Schooley said. “He works so hard and really stepped up and contributed as a senior both as a point producer and on our penalty kill unit, which was a big key for us this year." 

Wilson (Brockville, Ontario / Brockville Braves) was one of six players named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie team after leading the Colonial blue line corps with 17 points this season. The freshman, who finished seventh on the RMU roster in points, tallied three goals in his rookie campaign while his 14 assists were the third most at Robert Morris.

“Tyson came in right away and was one of our best offensive defenseman, but we were all impressed by how his defensive play continued to improve all year,” Schooley said. “He’s got a bright future, and we’re really excited about what he can do at Robert Morris over the next three years of his career.”

Crichton (Palgrave, Ontario / Brampton Capitals) earned Atlantic Hockey Third Team All-Conference accolades after posting a 29-point senior season – tied for the most by a Colonial in 2011-12. The senior set personal bests in goals, assists and points as a senior and tallied eight goals in 2011-12 including the game winner in RMU’s 4-3 win over Holy Cross on Jan. 13. Crichton also tied for the team lead with 21 assists on the year – a stat that ranks tied for third in the Atlantic Hockey Association. Crichton closed out his career with 53 points (15 goals, 38 assists) in 114 career games – more than doubling his career point totals as a senior.

“Cody had a great senior year for us and really found his stride on the ice,” Schooley said. “We needed guys to step up this year and contribute, and Cody did that for us when we needed him to.”

A full list of Atlantic Hockey Association award winners is attached.

-Robert Morris University, Host Institution of the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four at Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center -