BROOKS, AB (May 25, 2016) – The 2015-16 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) champion Brooks Bandits have secured the commitment of 1998-born defenceman Dennis Cesana (North Providence, RI) for the 2016-17 season, the team announced today.
Cesana, 18, has just completed his third year of competition at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire, part of the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association. This past season, Cesana was the school’s second-highest scoring defenceman, recording 34 points (7 goals, 27 assists) in 35 games.
In total, the 5’10”, 190lb defenceman dressed in 100 games for the Wildcats, recording 64 points (13 goals, 51 assists) over his three seasons at the prep school level.
“We are excited to add our 2nd player from Kimball Union in Dennis, a solid defenceman with a high panic threshold,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “Dennis is a great person, he works hard at the game, and he comes highly recommended by numerous college coaches.
“We had the opportunity to view him in prep school over the last two seasons and are quite confident in his abilities. We look forward to his arrival at our summer camp this June.”
Cesana also secured his NCAA Division I hockey future this past February, when he committed to the U.S. Military Academy (Army) in West Point, NY.
“I’m excited to get things started in Brooks, and I’m looking forward to being a part of the Brooks community and putting on the Bandits jersey,” said Cesana. “The atmosphere in the rink is second to none, and I’m honoured to be playing in front of such loyal fans.
“I’m focused on developing my game and Brooks will give me the best opportunity to do that,” he added. “I can’t wait to get to Brooks and meet all the guys; I’m excited to be a part of such a tight-knit group.”
Cesana is the seventh player committed to the Bandits for 2016-17, joining 1998-born defenceman Devon Daniels (Thunder Bay, ON) of Gilmour Academy, 1997-born forward Nicholas Hamre (Cumberland, ON) of Kimball Union Academy, 1997-born forward Tyler Carangelo (Hamden, CT) of Avon Old Farms, 1998-born forward Arnaud Vachon (Ajax, ON) of The Hill Academy, 1997-born defenceman Josh Gagne (Caledon, ON) of The Gunnery, and 1997-born forward Oliver Chau (Oakville, ON) of Northfield Mount Hermon.