NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara University men’s hockey head coach Jason Lammers announced two players signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to join the Purple Eagles for the 2019-20 season.
“During our first year as a staff, we identified the need to recruit more speed and skill,” noted assistant coach Matt Nicholson. “Moving into our second season together and seeing how the conference has evolved, we made a conscious effort to further add to our depth while at the same time adding some more size and heaviness to the lineup. We feel that having both Jacob and Jason on our roster will make us much harder to play against over the course of their time at NU.”
Jacob Kendall | Forward | Camrose, AB | Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
“During our first year as a staff, we identified the need to recruit more speed and skill,” noted assistant coach Matt Nicholson. “Moving into our second season together and seeing how the conference has evolved, we made a conscious effort to further add to our depth while at the same time adding some more size and heaviness to the lineup. We feel that having both Jacob and Jason on our roster will make us much harder to play against over the course of their time at NU.”
Jacob Kendall | Forward | Camrose, AB | Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
- Appeared in one game for Camrose in 2015-16 before joining the roster full-time in 2016-17.
- Named team captain prior to the start of the 2018-19 season.
- Has tallied 28 points (14 G, 14 A) in 32 games this year.
- Currently tied for fourth in the AJHL with four game-winning goals.
- Finished 2017-18 season fourth on the team with 42 points (20 G, 22 A). Added three assists in seven postseason games.
- Registered 14 points (7 G, 7 A) in 51 games with the Kodiaks in 2016-17.
- 2018 Camrose Police Citizenship Award honoree.
- 2017 Community Player of the Year.
- 2017 Scholastic Player of the Year.
Nicholson on Kendall: “Jacob’s willingness to get involved in the community and the leadership influence he provides to his team as a captain made it an easy choice when looking at his character. In terms of his on-ice play, he possesses great size, skates well and is a dual threat to score or make plays. He is at home in front of the opposition’s net and engaging in battles along the boards.”
Jason Pineo | Forward | Toronto, ON | Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)
- Has played with the Jr. Canadiens since the 2016-17 season.
- Named team captain prior to the start of the 2018-19 season.
- Has tallied 36 points (14 G, 22 A) in 35 games this year.
- Finished 2017-18 season eighth on the team with 33 points (14 G, 19 A). Averaged one point per game (2 G, 4 A) in six playoff appearances.
- Registered 13 points (4 G, 9 A) in 51 games for Toronto in 2016-17. Added two goals and an assist in the team’s seven-game postseason.
- 10th-round draft pick (196th overall) of the Oshawa Generals (OHL) in 2014.
- Father, Clarke, played hockey at Bowling Green from 1985-1987.
Nicholson on Pineo: “When doing our research on Jason, a constant theme of ‘leader’ was what we heard. He leads by example with his infectious and mature personality. He has worn a letter the last two seasons and is the current captain of his team. He is relentless on the ice, hunting down loose pucks and opposing defensemen. He possesses soft hands for a big guy and has a very heavy shot.”
The Purple Eagles (8-10-1, 7-5-1 AHA) are currently tied for second place in Atlantic Hockey with 15 points. The team is on winter break until January 4, 2019, when they return to Dwyer Arena to face the RIT Tigers.