The Norwich Sea Captains of the North American 3 Hockey League are very pleased to announce that 2001 goaltender Patrick Kristo has committed to Kent State University to continue his academic and hockey careers. The Mentor, OH native will return to the Buckeye State this fall enrolling at Kent State and joining the Golden Flashes’ American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I team. Kristo recently completed a successful junior hockey career which included two seasons with the Rochester Vipers in the United States Premier Hockey League before his time in Norwich. In two seasons with the Vipers Kristo made 37 appearances and earned 6 wins. He made three appearances after joining the Sea Captains at the holiday break this past year. His best outing was his last when he dropped a 2-1 decision to the Danbury Jr Hat Tricks despite making 24 saves.
“I am really excited to continue my academic and athletic careers at Kent State. I am confident that it will be a good fit for me both on and off the ice. I know some the guys on the team and I have had the opportunity to train with Coach Nowak before, so I have some familiarity with the program. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and billet family in Norwich for giving me the opportunity to finish my junior career in a great environment,” said Kristo.
Head coach Kevin Cunningham added, “I am extremely excited for Patrick that he will be joining a quality ACHA program at Kent State. He is a very talented goaltender with the ability to thrive at the next level. I believe that he will do exactly that at Kent State. We brought Patrick in at the holiday break to add an experienced goaltender and he played his best hockey down the stretch for us. I am looking forward to seeing Patrick have success both on and off the ice at Kent State. Congratulations to him and his family!”
Kristo becomes the second inaugural Sea Captain to make a college commitment, joining another 2001 Ohio native, forward Drew Schemmel, who will attend Lawrence Tech this fall. The Norwich Sea Captains, who call the RoseGarden Ice Arena home, will begin their second season in the NA3HL in September. Roster, schedule and ticket information for the 2022-23 season will be forthcoming soon.