Most Valuable Player: Grant Dietz, University of South Florida (32 G, 26 A, 58 PTS in 24 Games)
The first-year Bull helped completely turn around the South Florida hockey program. Dietz led Division 2 in goals and points while being third in assists. Dietz provided an instant spark for South Florida’s offense, which struggled mightily in 2023-2024.
Last season, South Florida had only one player who topped 10 goals. Behind Dietz’s immense offensive presence, the Bulls have six players with at least ten goals this season and another with nine goals.
Dietz’s impact has been invaluable for South Florida this season, leading the Bulls into the playoffs as the number two seed in the South Division.
Congratulations to Grant Dietz on an exceptional season and for being College Hockey South’s Division 2 Most Valuable Player.
Goalie of the Year: Rocco Bruno, Florida Atlantic University (9-3-0, 2.91 GAA, 0.906 SV%, 1 Goal)
Rocco Bruno backstopped Division 2’s number-one team to another remarkable regular season. After losing his first two starts, Bruno won nine of his final 10 starts, securing the number one seed in this weekend’s College Hockey South Division 2 playoffs for Florida Atlantic.
The Owl’s bread and butter is high-flying offense and out-scoring their opponent, but Bruno always seemed to provide a steady presence in the net. Rocco is tied for first in wins in Division 2 and top ten in goals-against average and save percentage.
Congratulations to Rocco Bruno for being named the College Hockey South Division 2 Goalie of the Year!
Coach of the Year: Joe Rhoads, University of South Florida (18-5-1)
Joe Rhoads joins Tim O’Leary as the second South Florida coach to win their Division’s Coach of the Year in three weeks. Like O’Leary, Joe Rhoads led South Florida to a tremendous year-to-year improvement.
In 2023-2024, South Florida finished with a 5-16-0 record, failing to qualify for the College Hockey South Division 2 playoffs or the AAU Nationals. Less than a year later, the Bulls are one of the top-ranked teams in Division 2 and a front-runner for both conference and National championships.
Rhoads helped South Florida bump their win total from five last season to 18 this year. Their point percentage increased by over 50%, attributed mainly to the award-winning duo of Grant Dietz and Joe Rhoads.
Congratulations to Joe Rhoads for winning the 2024-25 College Hockey South Division 2 Coach of the Year!
2024-25 Division 2 All-Conference Teams
First Team All-CHS
Forwards
Grant Dietz, South Florida - 32 Goals, 26 Assists, 58 Points in 24 Games
Michael Woll, Florida Southern - 22 Goals, 25 Assists, 47 Points in 18 Games
Will Marshall, Florida Southern - 26 Goals, 20 Assists, 46 Points in 18 Games
Defensemen
David Israel, Florida Atlantic - 14 Goals, 17 Assists, 31 Points in 13 Games
Jake Murphy, Florida Atlantic - 12 Goals, 22 Assists, 34 Points in 18 Games
Goalie
Rocco Bruno, Florida Atlantic - 9-3-0, 2.91 GAA, 0.906 SV%, 1 Goal
Second Team All-CHS
Forwards
Brendan Ogle, Middle Tennessee State - 21 Goals, 32 Assists, 53 Points in 25 Games
Ethan DeMumbrum, Middle Tennessee State - 17 Goals, 35 Assists, 52 Points in 25 Games
Brady Baehser, Florida Atlantic - 20 Goals, 22 Assists, 42 Points in 22 Games
Defensemen
Mason Moree, Lynn - 9 Goals, 20 Assists, 29 Points in 20 Games
Trace Cowart, Tampa - 7 Goals, 12 Assists, 19 Points in 19 Games
Goalie
Connor Sheridan, South Florida - 8-1-0, 3.13 GAA, 0.888 SV%
Third Team All-CHS
Forwards
Caleb Owens, Florida Atlantic - 18 Goals, 20 Assists, 38 Points in 22 Games
Matthew Siciliano, Middle Tennessee State - 30 Goals, 21 Assists, 51 Points in 26 Games
Elian Estulin, Miami - 15 Goals, 18 Assists, 33 Points in 22 Games
Defensemen
Robert Renner, Central Florida - 10 Goals, 10 Assists, 20 Points in 24 Games
Luke Maher, Mississippi - 9 Goals, 9 Assists, 18 Points in 18 Games
Goalie
Richard Mugler, Mississippi - 6-4-0, 2.50 GAA, 0.849 SV%
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 30-school, 50-team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.
Comments