The Norwich Sea Captains, proud members of the North American 3 Hockey League, are very pleased to announce that 2003 goaltender Eric Dillner has committed to Fairfield University where he will continued his academic and hockey careers. The Madison, CT native will enroll in the University’s School of Engineering and join the Stags’ Collegiate Hockey Federation program this fall. The Stags compete in the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference. Dillner was a member of the Sea Captains inaugural team after a very successful high school career at Daniel Hand High School where he was a key member of the Tigers’ hockey team.
Dillner discussed his decision to attend Fairfield and his time in Norwich saying, “I am really excited for this upcoming year at Fairfield University! Coach Cunningham helped connect me with Coach Silva at Fairfield which made it possible for me to learn about the hockey experience there. After conversations with Coach Silva and some Fairfield students it became clear that this was the school for me because it offers me the the best combination of great academics and an amazing hockey experience. My time in Norwich made this opportunity at Fairfield possible. I was pushed to become a better player. The entire staff was there every day to make sure that I had the best opportunities to get better and succeed. Whenever anyone asks me “What is the logo on your hat?” I am proud to say that I was a part of the inaugural Norwich Sea Captains.”
“I am extremely proud of Eric and pleased for him and his family that he has this tremendous opportunity to attend a top notch engineering program and continue playing hockey at a very competitive level. Eric is a very talented, committed goaltender who will continue to develop because of his quenchless thirst to get better. I am confident that Coach SIlva, who I have a great deal of respect for, and his teammates at Fairfield will quickly recognize Eric as a true Stag who can be relied on to bring his best both on and off the ice,” added Sea Captains head coach Kevin Cunningham.
Dillner is the fourth member of the inaugural Norwich NA3HL team to make a college commitment. He joins a trio of 2001-born players who are attending American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I programs; Patrick Kristo (Kent State), Ethan Ranger (University of Delaware) and Drew Schemmel (Lawrence Tech). The Norwich Sea Captains will begin their second season at the RoseGarden Ice Arena in September. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE. The team’s roster, promotional schedule and individual ticket sales will all be announced on this website in the coming weeks before the season opens on Friday, September 23 when the Sea Captains will host the New Jersey Titans at noon.