After last night’s disappointing result, Miami takes to the ice tonight in what will certainly be an emotional night no matter what the outcome. Tonight, we say goodbye to 6 seniors who will move on to the pro ranks, possibly even the NHL ranks, and others will become working men like many of us. Let’s take a look back at their time as RedHawks. (photos courtesy of http://www.muredhawks.com)

Marc Hagel

The senior transfer from Princeton was only in Oxford for one season. In his final season at Princeton, Hagel had 7 goals and 11 assists as the team captain. Head Coach Enrico Blasi brought in Marc for his leadership and it has paid off on the ice. Hagel is 5th in scoring on this year’s squad with a line of 5-11–16 in 35 games, with tonight and up to a max of another 7 games left. Some have criticized his play, including myself at the beginning of the season, but Hagel has played phenomenal hockey and his leadership has been invaluable to the team, as he hasn’t missed any playing time all year. He plays on the Power Play, the Penalty Kill and is on the ice in almost every critical situation. He plays a lot like Ryan Jones did in Oxford – as a gritty, grind-it-out, physical player. Hagel is more of a role player than Jonesey was, but his flow and his play have been similar to Ryan this season. After seeing his leadership for 1 season, I wish we had him in Oxford for 3 more.

Projected career path: College head coach, professor or politician

Steve Mason

“The Flying Dutchman” has seen minimal playing time this year, and really 3 of the 4 years he has been in Oxford. During his sophomore campaign, Mason played in 24 games, and has only played in 24 games the other 3 years total. Mason has 2 goals, 5 assists in his career. Mason didn’t have many highlights for his career other than his first career goal – it was in the third place game of the CCHA tournament against Ferris State in his freshman year, a very timely goal indeed.

Projected career path: European pro league player

Garrett Kennedy

Kennedy has been a great utility man for Enrico Blasi. He came into Oxford as a forward and didn’t play at all in 2009-10. The next season, he played offense and defense, splitting his time, and proved to be a great addition to the blueline. Thus, in 2011-12, he played defense only, and blocked 37 shots on the season. Overall, Kennedy has played in 65 games as a RedHawk, with 2 goals, 6 assists and a +15 rating.

Projected career path: ECHL

Joe Hartman

Hartman has been a stalwart on the defensive side of the ice for all of his 4 years in Oxford. Starting it off in 2009-10, Hartman was a member of the CCHA All-Rookie team and scored the only goal in Miami’s National Semifinal game at the Detroit Frozen Four. Hartman missed 1 game his freshman year, none his sophomore year, and one last season. This year, he did miss 6 games with injury, but has been out there on defense paired with Freshman Chris Joyaux all season, helping him and the other 2 main freshmen D-men (Matthew Caito and Taylor Richart) learn the ropes. In his 4 years in Oxford he has played in 150 games (including last night) and has 9 goals, 25 assists and an astounding +43 rating (high of +17 in 2009-10).

Projected career path: ECHL

Curtis McKenzie

The tough grinder from Golden, B.C. has been, perhaps, unfairly compared to former classmate Reilly Smith, who like McKenzie, is both a Canadian native and Dallas Stars draft pick. While Smith has moved on to the NHL after a spectacular three-year run with the RedHawks, McKenzie has continued to grind away scoring big goals and providing an edge to Miami’s frontline. Like Steven Spinell, McKenzie has played a role all four years and has appeared in 151 games for the Red and White. Overall C-Mac may leave without putting up the points we might have expected (26-51-77 career line), but his heart, soul and effort will be missed next year and beyond.

Projected career path: ECHL/AHL

Steven Spinell

Miami’s captain, Spinell has played in 142 games in his Miami career earning a 4-28-32 line while racking up 220 PIM. The rugged defenseman from Vernon Hills, Ill. has helped mold the young 2012-13 RedHawks into a legitimate national title contender and, along with Hartman and McKenzie, is the last RedHawk to skate in a Frozen Four game back in 2010. This season, Spinell has certainly exceeded my expectations as he has picked up his play after the departures of Will Weber, Cameron Schilling and Chris Wideman from last year’s blueline. His leadership and dedication to Miami hockey will most certainly be missed next year and beyond.

Projected career path: AHL or college head coach