Three former Canisius hockey standouts are heading to camp as the National Hockey League officially opened training camps this week in preparation for the 2023-24 campaign.
In his 13th professional season, Cory Conacher has been invited to the Carolina Hurricanes training camp on a professional tryout. Keaton Mastrodonato will be attending his first training camp with the Dallas Stars after signing a one-year deal with the Stars’ American Hockey League affiliate (Texas Stars) in July while Ryan Schmelzer, captain of the Utica Devils, will be attending training camp with the New Jersey Devils.
The 2009-10 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, Conacher rewrote the Canisius Division I era record book during his time on Main Street, establishing 12 single-game and career scoring marks. The school’s Division I era career leader in points (147) and goals (62), Conacher was a two-time All-AHA selection as well as a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award All-America First Team pick in 2010-11. His 53 points and 33 assists during the 2009-10 season still stand as single-season standards for the program while his 23-goal effort in 2010-11 also stands as the school’s single-season mark.
A native of Burlington, Ontario, Conacher has played 193 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. Conacher was named the American Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year during 2011-12 season as he helped guide the Norfolk Admirals to the Calder Cup championship. He has also played abroad, winning a NLA Championship (2015-16) and a Swiss Cup title (2020-21) with SC Bern in the Swiss League. He is currently under contract for the 2023-24 campaign with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
A four-year member of the program, Mastrodonato appeared in 123 games in a Canisius uniform, recording 46 goals and 51 assists for 97 points. One of just two players in the Division I era of the program to lead the team in scoring for three consecutive seasons, Mastrodonato registered career highs in goals (16), assists (20) and points (36) during the 2022-23 campaign to help lead Canisius to the program’s second Atlantic Hockey Championship and second NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Powell River, British Columbia native finished his Canisius career as the program’s leader in career shorthanded goals with seven. He was also a two-time All-AHA honoree, garnering first-team honors in 2020-21 and third-tema accolades in 2022-23.
He signed with the Texas Stars at the end of the Griffs’ 2022-23 season and appeared in two regular-season games. Mastrodonato was also a member of the Dallas Stars’ entry into the Prospects Challenge in Traverse City, Mich., last week.
Schmelzer is set to begin his sixth professional season, all of which have been played within the New Jersey Devils Organization. In 265 career games at the AHL level, Schmelzer has amassed 47 goals and 75 assists. He has served as captain of the Utica Devils since the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
A native of Buffalo, Schmelzer was a four-year member of the Canisius program (2015-18). The 2016-17 AHA Defensive Forward of the Year, Schmezler appeared in 143 games for the Griffs, recording 40 goals and 66 assists for 106 points. He served as team captain for the 2017-18 season.
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