Every hockey team needs those players who can push their teammates to the next level.

Given the experience gained from earning a more favorable playoff position and then going on a run to the Atlantic Hockey championship game,  Air Force figures to have a number of impact players during the 2022-23 season.

AFAFlightPath.com has identified a handful of these players, and whose leadership is crucial to the Falcons’ success this season.

Defenseman Luke Rowe

Make no mistake about it, the second-year captain sets the pace for the Falcons. He’s excellent on defense and more than capable on offense, but what really sets him apart is the physical tone he can – and usually does – set for the team and his leadership abilities. Occasionally his aggression will put his team at a disadvantage, but more often than not it fires up his teammates. He won team awards for his dedication, character, leadership and work ethic (the Vic Heyliger Award), inspirational play (Ken Cronk Award) and defensive play.

A strong 6-1, 206 pounds, Rowe possesses a powerful shot, reads the play well and doesn’t lose puck battles very often.  He had 16 points last season, and it was disappointing that he didn’t receive any postseason recognition from Atlantic Hockey.

Defenseman Brandon Koch

He had 25 points, received all-conference recognition from AHA, and scored both of his goals in a conference semifinal win against RIT. His offensive acumen is beyond question, but the senior, who is in the top pair with Rowe, is intent on rounding out his game.

“We’re always together, and we have a strong trust in each other,” Koch said. “We know where each other is going to be at every moment. Our styles of play are different. Rowe’s definitely got a lot more offensive in the last two years, but he’s definitely more defensive minded than I am. So if I’m up in the play he’s back there holding the fort down. His becoming more offensive has allowed me to work on my defensive game and be there for him.

“It comes back to confidence and trust in each other. We’re always talking, whether it’s on the ice, in the locker room, in between shifts. We both have good hockey minds and are able to process the game pretty well, and that translates onto the ice.”

Right wing Willie Reim

The senior co-captain scores goals, and he has a knack for getting them at clutch moments. He had seven multi-point games and 25 points overall, including 11 goals. He’s versatile, and, like Rowe, counted on in every situation.

His size (6-foot-3) and tenacity create problems for opponents on the forecheck, although many of his goals are a product of his excellent release. He’s a threat to score from anywhere in the offensive zone. He, too, is a tone-setter for the Falcons by virtue of his combination of skill and hard work.

Left wing Will Gavin

The junior erupted for a team-high 16 goals and 29 points last season. When he’s hot, he’s capable of scoring in bunches. Many of his goals are clutch ones, too. He led the team with four game-winners and four first goals. He had five points in the playoffs and made the AHA all-tournament team with Koch. He had a nine-game point streak at one point last season, so he’s also consistent.

Gavin possesses a lethal slap shot, and his goal total was the highest by an Air Force player in five seasons. Like Rowe, he’s a very physical player who’s so strong that some of his hits look worse than they are and lead to penalties.

Left wing Nate Horn

Solid, steady, and versatile, Horn can slip under the radar at times, but make no mistake, he’s probably the Falcons’ most well-rounded player. Horn’s 11 goals were tied with Reim for second most behind Gavin. He scored two of the biggest OT goals of the season to beat Army West Point and RIT on Saturday nights. The RIT winner clinched a playoff bye for the Falcons. Horn is adept in any situation, and the coaching staff utilizes him as such.

Coach Frank Serratore summed Horn up best after his heroics vs. RIT in the regular-season finale back in February. “He doesn’t have a glaring weakness other than he’s slight (Horn goes about 165 pounds). If he were 185 or 190, he’d be an NHL draft pick and playing for a school like Minnesota.”

Defenseman Sam Brennan

After not scoring a point as a freshman, the junior turned it up several notches last season and scored 19 points while improving his defensive play significantly. As a result, he was utilized in every situation. Long paired with classmate Luke Robinson, it appears he and sophomore Mitchell Digby will start the season as a tag team.

“He reads the ice very, very well,” Robinson said. “He’s very strong and physical on pucks. He’s not an easy guy to go into the corner with.”

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