QUICK FACTS
Head Coach: Reid Lesswing (2nd Season)
2025-26 Record: 12-13-0 (5-11-0 UCHC)
2025 Leaders: Goals (Sam Ciappa, 9), Assists (Sam Ciappa, 12), Points (Sam Ciappa, 21), Saves (Sebastian Woods, 453), Shutouts (Sebastian Woods, 2)
SETTING THE SCENE
The St. John Fisher men's ice hockey team finished its inaugural season with a 12-13-0 overall record and a 5-11-0 mark in UCHC play. One of the Cardinals' biggest highlights was winning the Castleton Tournament, where they defeated Brockport and Vermont State Castleton to claim the program's first in-season tournament win. Fisher finished two wins shy of qualifying for the UCHC Tournament as it looks to take the next step in its second season.
The Cardinals return their only All-UCHC selection from last season in Sam Ciappa, who earned All-Rookie Team honors. However, Fisher will look to replace the production of two key contributors, Elijah Devereaux and Sebastian Woods.
Fisher recorded 65 goals, 90 assists, and 155 points as a team last season. Ciappa led the offense with 21 points, followed by Brendan Merriman (16) and Mitchell Ferras (15).
Defensively, the Cardinals recorded 257 blocked shots, led by Carter Cwiklinski with 32. The goaltending unit combined for 701 saves, with Woods leading the way with 453 before graduating. Dylan Grover added 219 saves. Fisher recorded three shutouts, with Woods accounting for two and Grover adding one.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sam Ciappa, So., F – Ciappa totaled 21 points on nine goals and 12 assist, ranking first on the team. He recorded a team-best plus-14 rating and three shot-handed goals. Ciappa also recorded two multi-goal games against Morrisville and Albertus Magnus. He earned UCHC All-Rookie Team honors.
Brendan Merriman, Sr., F – Merriman finished second on the team with 16 points on seven goals and nine assists. He recorded a plus-two rating and led the Cardinals with three power-play goals. Merriman also recorded at least one point in nine consecutive games.
Mitchell Ferras, So., F – Ferras ranked third on the team with 15 points on six goals and nine assists. He recorded a plus-14 rating, tied for the team lead, and won 137 faceoffs. Against Cortland and Vermont State, Ferras recorded two points on one goal and one assist in each game.
Charlie Robinson, So., D – Robinson totaled eight points on four goals and four assists. He finished with a plus-11 rating, ranking fourth on the team, and recorded two multi-point games against Cortland and Hiram.
DID YOU KNOW?
Junior transfer Lucca Munoz represented Team Argentina during the summer and earned a silver medal.
