BEVERLY, Mass. (3/4/2026) – The Nichols College men's ice hockey team was well represented in the postseason awards today, as announced by the Conference of New England (CNE) at 2:00 PM. Nichols sees two all-conference team recipients, alongside community service team recognition. Sophomore defenseman
Luca Ricci earned CNE First Team honors, while Junior forward
CJ Zezima earned CNE Third Team honors for his efforts in the 2025-26 season.
Ricci played in all 25 games for the Bison, scoring 3 goals (1 game-winner) and providing 15 assists (9th most in the CNE) for 18 points. His 15 assists were the most by any defenseman in the CNE this season. Ricci, the Montreal, Quebec native, also recorded 24 blocked shots and finished +6 on the season. On January 5th, 2026, Ricci earned CNE Player of the Week for his 1 goal and 3 assist performance in the Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational.
Ricci's 2025-26 CNE first team honors makes him one of 15 Bison men's ice hockey players to receive the award, with J.B. Baker being the last student-athlete to be honored in the 2016-17 season. Ricci's conference recognition earned as a defenseman also marks him as the first in the position to win first team honors since Kyle Shapiro in the 2013-14 season, honoring him as one of five defensemen in program history to be awarded a first team spot.
"Luca is a workhorse. He was trusted in every situation and logged more minutes than anyone on the team. He shows up to the rink every day ready to put in the work and leads by example," Head Coach
Alex Gacek stated. "By the time Luca leaves Nichols, his accolades will speak for themselves, but what truly sets Luca apart is the kind of teammate he is."
Zezima played all 25 games, ending with 9 goals and 11 assists for 20 points, which is the most points earned by any Bison this season. The Norwalk, Connecticut native dominated at the faceoff dot, winning 215 of 386 faceoffs taken for a .557 faceoff win percentage.
"Each season at Nichols, CJ has elevated his game, and this year marked his biggest step yet. His offensive skill set makes opponents pay, thus having a major role in our power-play," Gacek said when asked about Zezima. "I'm proud of CJ's growth as he is a leader on and off the ice. I can't wait to see what he has in store for his final year."
The postseason nods for the 2025-25 season mark back-to-back seasons with multiple honorees, with
Ryan Austin and
Nathan Carl being honored with All-Conference Third Team, and Austin earning CNE Rookie of the Year.
Senior assistant captain
Aaron Hamel is the Bison's men's hockey community service representative. The forward played 24 games this season, recording 4 goals, including one game-winner, and 10 assists for 14 points. Hamel was strong from the faceoff spot, winning 214 of 412 faceoffs taken for a win percentage of .519. He also finished +7 and recorded 22 blocked shots in the season. Off the ice, the native of Okemos, Michigan is on the Student Government as the VP of Student Advocacy, an Admissions Ambassador, and a Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) representative for the men's ice hockey program.
