The NCAA changed its rules this spring, allowing hockey programs to hire a third full-time assistant coach, and Air Force wasted little time taking advantage of that.
The Falcons brought in veteran hockey coach and talent evaluator Steve Jennings earlier this month. He joins associate head coaches Andy Berg and Joe Doyle on Frank Serratore’s staff.
Jennings is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and has 20 years of coaching and management experience in the North American Hockey League, one of Air Force’s recruiting hotspots.
Five Recognized as All-American Scholars
Five players from the 2022-23 team were selected American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-American Scholars. They are graduated seniors Brandon Koch and Andrew Kruse, seniors Sam Brennan and Luke Robinson and junior Guy Blessing. Each had a grade-point average of 3.75 or higher and played in at least 40 percent of the Falcons’ games.
Blessing had a 4.00 gpa both semesters, while Koch had 3.99 and 3.94 marks, Robinson went 3.89 and 4.00, Brennan went 3.86 and 3.91 and Kruse had a 3.94 and 3.88.
Koch Returns to Minnesota
The NCAA granted players who were on rosters during the Covid-affected seasons of 2020-20a fifth season of eligibility. Koch, a standout defenseman who scored 77 points in his Air Force career, took advantage of it.
A native of Hastings, Minn., Koch is pursuing a graduate degree at Minnesota State in Mankato, and he will play for the Mavericks hockey team as a grad transfer.
Rowe Enjoys a Devil of a Summer
Meanwhile, Koch’s longtime defense partner, captain Luke Rowe, did some traveling of his own over the summer. Rowe was one of 33 players to participate in the New Jersey Devils’ development camp. The invitation was particularly special for Rowe because he grew up in New Jersey.
Rowe tied Koch for second on the Falcons with 24 points this past season, exceeding his total from his first two seasons combined. He was a Second-Team All-Atlantic Hockey pick for the 2022-23 season.
>>READ: Analysis of Falcons’ 2023-24 Schedule
©First Line Editorial 2023
