Federal Hockey League Player Spotlights

December 20, 2011 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Player Spotlight

Alec Kirschner

Danbury Whalers

Af ter a strong end to the season, Alec returns to the Whalers looking to continue his production. He came on at the end of the season to lead the team in plus/minus at +27 and scored seven points in the Whalers two playoff wins. If paired with Karlov and Velasquez, he can give the Whalers a potent top line. King Alec as he is know as in Danbury has been called up to Elmira 3 times so far and started the season with the Jackals as well .

Matt Anthony

1000 Islands Privateers

Thousand Islands Privateers netminder Matt Anthony was named Pro Hockey News' November Goaltender of the Month. The fourth year pro has posted a 12-4-1 record with one shutout this season. In nine starts during November, he posted a 7-2 record including two separate three-game winning streaks. Overall, his 2.96 goals against average and .907 save percentage have helped lead the Privateers to within two points of first place New Jersey in the standings. Prior to joining the FHL, Anthony skated for Eindhoven Kemphanen in Holland from 2008 to 2011.

Player Spotlight

Brad Surdam

Cape Cod Bluefins

Norton, Virginia native Brad Surdam of the Cape Cod Bluefins was named Pro Hockey News' Rookie of the Month for November. The 24-year-old Surdam picked up three goals and eight points in November while making a name for himself among the rookie class in this year's FHL campaign. His best game of the young season came on November 22nd against the Brooklyn Aviators when he netted two goals, including the game-winner, in an 8-2 Bluefins victory. Along the way Surdam, who played college hockey for Lebanon Valley College in Virginia, has amassed 32 PIM and shown a willingness to contest for the puck in the corners.

Kevin Cooper

New Jersey Outlaws

New Jersey Outlaws' forward Kevin Cooper is the Pro Hockey News Player of the Month for November. Cooper has netted 12 goals and 17 assists for the expansion Outlaws thus far, including four power play goals and one short-handed tally. The 29-year-old Toronto native currently has a plus+29 rating. Cooper's veteran leadership has steadied the young Outlaws' roster, leading them to a 9-point lead in the standings over the Thousand Islands Privateers through 20 games. His best game of the month came on November 30th against the Danbury Whalers when he netted a goal and three assists and was a plus-3 on the night.

Player Spotlight

Avon Old Farms Hockey Alum Lives Out Dream in Brooklyn

Ken Trentowski making most of rookie year in pro hockey

By: Jerry Del Priore

Avon Old Farms graduate Ken Trentowski can't imagine doing anything else other than his present job as a defenseman for the Brooklyn Aviators of the Federal Hockey League (FHL).

"It's been real fun. I am having a good time," Trentowski said after the Aviators' 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Outlaws on Dec. 9. "I am home playing pro hockey, getting paid for something I love doing. After a long career up the ranks, it's finally nice to get paid for it."

Avon Old Farms

Trentowski began playing the sport at the age of three, and skated for many youth and travel hockey teams as a kid, always dreaming of joining the professional ranks someday. That's why he decided to attend Avon Old Farms School, an all-boys private high school, instead of pursing the juniors, because he knew its hockey program would make him a better overall player while providing him with a topnotch education.

"I wanted to go to a good high school because I have had people tell me that college is the way to go," explained Trentowski, who won two New England High School Championships with Avon Old Farms, one in his sophomore year and another as a senior. "I knew if I went to a prep school, I have a better chance to get into a better college, which wound up working out for me."

Avon Old Farms prepared the Ronkonkoma, NY, native so well - academically and hockey-wise - in fact, that Yale University (NCAA Division I) in New Haven wound up recruiting him to play the sport.

Yale

Trentowski enjoyed a solid career at the college, registering two goals and 13 assists for 15 points in 93 career games for the Bulldogs (2007-11), winning ECAC Championships in 2009 and 2011 and three consecutive Ivy League Championships from 2009-11.

"We always been rather successful, and it was a great four years," the 23-year-old rookie said of starring for Yale. "I miss it, but I am glad to be where I am."

Brooklyn Aviators

After starting the 2011-12 season in training camp with the Florida Everblades of the East Coast Hockey League (AA), Trentowski would up being sent to the Augusta RiverHawks of the Southern Professional Hockey League (A) to start his professional career. But his time in Augusta was short-lived, only lasting two games due to lack of room on its roster.

Looking for a place to showcase his hockey abilities and continue his pro career, Trentowski considered the Aviators organization. He had heard of it through a few current and former players, including Carmine Vetrano, broadcaster and media relations representative and a fellow Long Island native.

Aviator head coach Rob Miller liked what he saw in Trentowski, and inked him to a contract. Fortunately for the blue liner, it has worked out thus far in Brooklyn, where he has played well, scoring four goals and eight helpers for 12 points through 17 contests. His solid play has helped the club post 31 points in 20 games-good for a tie for fourth place in the eight-team league.

"I feel good, I am happy to be playing here, and everything is going well right now," Trentowski said.

The added benefit of playing in Brooklyn, Trentowski said, is the proximity to where he lives in Long Island, allowing his parents to see him in action on weekends.

"They can come and watch, they get some enjoyment out of it, and it's right in their backyard," the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder said. "So, it's something for them to do on the weekends now."

Since it's considered Single-A hockey, three rungs below the NHL, Trentowski isn't overly concerning himself with making "The Show."

However, as far as getting called up to the next level (the Aviators are directly affiliated with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers, who have direct ties to the AHL (Triple-A) clubs of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens), Trentowski said, "I would love to, but it's not going to change how I'm playing here. I love it here, and I'm going to play my game. If it works out, it works out. If doesn't, not much is going to change in my eyes."

And Aviator fans and teammates alike are happy that Trentowski hasn't altered anything about his game, especially his winning attitude.

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2011

• Outlaws Announce End of Season Sellouts - Williamsport Outlaws
• Federal Hockey League Player Spotlights - FPHL

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.