ATHLETICS
Hockey Standout Tom Aubrun ’20 Signs Pro Contract BY DEREK DUNNING
T
he good news just keeps coming for men’s hockey goalie Tom Aubrun. In April, the senior phenom was named National Division III Player of the Year by the American Hockey Coaches Association, taking home its Sid Watson Award. Ten days later, the management major from Chamonix, France, signed a two-year deal with the Illinois-based Rockford IceHogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks. Aubrun was the only NCAA Division III men’s player to sign with an AHL team this year as of press time and was one of only six collegiate goaltenders in any division to sign with a professional team. He is now the third Cadet in men’s hockey program history to be named national player of the year. Aubrun’s deal with the IceHogs follows an epic, record-smashing final season, in which he set five new NCAA Division III records and carried a ninegame, 572-plus consecutive minute shutout streak into the NCAA Tournament before it was canceled due to COVID-19. “Tom had one of the best seasons I have ever seen a goaltender have at any level,” said Cadets men’s hockey head coach Cam Ellsworth. “His play was strong and consistent all year and deserving of this opportunity.” “Rockford took an interest in Tom very early and put forth a development path that he is very excited about,” Ellsworth added. “Tom is a first-class person and athlete.”
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NORWICH RECORD | SUMMER 2020
Aubrun backstopped the Cadets to their 14th NEHC Tournament title and set new NCAA Division III all-time records for consecutive shutouts (9), shutout minutes (572:31), and the most shutouts in a single season (13). He also became the NCAA Division III all-time leader in career save percentage (.946) and goals against average (1.27). A former member of the French national U18 and U20 teams, Aubrun spent a year playing U.S. junior league hockey with the Rochester Jr. Americans before starting his collegiate career at Norwich four years ago. He expressed gratitude to NU and its “great hockey program [which] gave me four of my most amazing years.” He also thanked the coaching staff and singled out head coach Cam Ellsworth “for always trusting my abilities and for pushing me to be the goaltender that I am today.” Attributing his player of the year award to the “result of a great team effort,” the senior thanked his friends and teammates “who always gave a 100 percent on and off the ice for the success of our team.” Aubrun shares National Division III Player of the Year honors with former Cadets standouts Keith Aucoin ’01 and Kurtis McLean ’05, both of whom went on to enjoy long professional careers in the NHL. Fans hope Auburn follows their lead. n
Cam Ellsworth Nets Coach of the Year Honors BY DEREK DUNNING
