Two-Time National Champion Inks Deal!

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy grad Sean Behrens has signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche beginning in the 2024-25 season.

Less than a week after winning his second NCAA D1 National Championship in three years with Denver U and being named to the 2024 Frozen Four All-Tournament team, Sean agreed to the deal.

He has joined Colorado's American Hockey League affiliate Colorado Eagles as they begin their Calder Cup Playoffs. 

Sean enjoyed a stellar NCAA D1 career with highlights including:

• Two-Time NCAA D1 National Champion (2022 & 2024)
• Named to 2024 NCAA D1 All-Tournament Team
• Voted 2024 NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year
• Honorable Mention 2024 NCHC All-Conference Team
• Named to 2022 NCHC All-Rookie Team
• US National Junior Team (2022 & 2023)

Congratulations to Sean (and parents Kyle and Karyn) on realizing his life-long dream of signing an NHL contract.

Devine is 1st Team All-American,

Behrens named to All-Tournament Team,

Perreault is 2nd Team All-American!

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale grads Jack Devine and Sean Behrens are now 2-time NCAA D1 National Champions, having won it all in two of the last three years. It was DU's 10th hockey national championship overall, the most all time by any college.

This time around the Pioneers had to beat #1 ranked Boston College, led by Bridgedale grad Gabe Perreault. And they did so in a 2-0 thriller to capture the title. 

Jack and Sean join Bridgedale grad Tanner Hartman as recent 2-time national champions, Tanner and his Hobart Statesmen teammates having repeated as D3 champs. 

As if winning their second title in three years wasn't enough, Jack and Sean also earned some eye-popping individual honors.

For his play during the season and playoffs, Jack's honors include:

• 1st Team All-American (Team West)
• 1st Team NCHC All-Conference Team
• Nominated NCHC Forward of the Year
• Nominated NCHC Player of the Year
• Named to NCHC Academic All-Conference Team

For his play during the season and playoffs, Sean's honors include:

• Named to NCAA D1 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team
• Voted NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year
• Honorable Mention NCHC All-Conference Team
• Signed NHL contract w/ Colorado Avalanche

And although Gabe was only a freshman (a "true" freshman) at BC in this season, he too earned some sterling individual honors, including:

• 2nd Team All-American (Team East)
• 2nd Team All-Conference Hockey East 
• Tied for 4th in the nation in D1 Scoring

All in all, some pretty amazing accomplishments by some pretty amazing young men.

Congratulations to Jack (and parents Ted and Val), Sean (and parents Kyle and Karyn) and Gabe (and parents Yanic and July) on their outstanding accomplishments.

Hobart Standout is 1st Team All-American,

Elite-90 Winner and National Champion!

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy grad Tanner Hartman has just wrapped up a truly amazing 2023-24 NCAA D3 college hockey season. 

The star sophomore's list of individual and team awards is truly astounding. 

Tanner and his Hobart teammates repeated as NCAA National Champions, defeating Trinity College and Bridgedale grad Jakob Karpa in a 2-0 thriller. (Trinity had defeated Adrian College and Bridgedale grad Anton Sorensen in the semis.)

The Statesmen also repeated as New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) league and playoff champions.

Along the way Tanner led his team in goals (20), assists (25), points (45), game winning goals (6) and plus/minus (+42). He also scored the team's lone short-handed goal.

For his play during the season and playoffs, Tanner was named:

• NEHC 1st Team All-Conference
• NEHC All-Tournament Team
• AHCA 1st Team All-American
• NCAA Elite 90 Award
• NCAA All-Tournament Team

The NCAA Elite 90 Award went to Tanner as the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA participating at this year's D3 college hockey championships. The NCAA presents only one Elite 90 Award per year for each of the NCAA's 90 National Championships.

Tanner, the consummate student-athlete, carries a 4.0 GPA at Hobart.

All in all, one very amazing college hockey season.

Congratulations to Tanner (and parents Craig and Kim) on his outstanding accomplishments.

Denver U defender stands out!

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy grad Sean Behrens has been named the 2024 National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defensive Defensemen of the Year. The DU standout also brings high-end offensive production to the table, tallying 29 points (4G - 25A) in 38 games for the Pioneers. 

Despite virtually always being matched up against the opposing team's top forwards, as well as being called on to anchor DU's top penalty killing unit, Sean ended the regular season with an impressive plus/minus of +23. 

Sean, now a junior, was a key member of DU's 2022 NCAA D1 National Championship team. He won that honor along with Pioneer teammate and Bridgedale grad Jack Devine.

Sean is also an NHL draftee, selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the 2021 draft (61st overall).

Congratulations to Sean (and parents Kyle and Karyn) on his being named NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year.

Denver U forward having stellar year!

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy grad Jack Devine has been named a finalist for the 2024 Hobey Baker Award. Jack joins nine other NCAA Division 1 standouts recently so honored. 

Jack is a junior at Denver University and is presently fourth in the nation in scoring, with 54 points in 38 games (27 goals and 27 assists). Jack is an NCAA D1 National Champion, having won that honor in 2022 along with fellow Bridgedale grad Sean Behrens.

Jack is also an NHL draftee, selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round of the 2022 draft (221st overall).

Congratulations to Jack (and parents Ted and Val) on his recognition as a Finalist for the Hober Baker Award.

Successes at NTDP, NCAA, NHL Draft

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

How is it that one tiny school in Woodridge, Illinois can produce so many successes?

NHL.com has them both as top contenders

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy grads Gabe Perreault and Jack Devine were recently featured on the NHL.com website in an article about the leading contenders for the 2024 Hobey Baker Award. 

Team USA Beats Host Sweden in Final

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

We are proud to congratulate Bridgedale Academy grad Gabe Perreault and his USA Junior teammates for their Gold Medal victory at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.

New York Rangers 

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

We are proud to congratulate Bridgedale Academy grad Gabe Perreault who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. He was the 23rd player chosen in this year's draft.