Robert Morris Hockey: Cody Wydo, Jessica Dodds, Brittany Howard Bring Home More Awards
By Larry Snyder
Junior sniper Cody Wydo claimed more accolades this week after his historic year for Robert Morris. (Photo: RMU Athletics)
The Atlantic Hockey Association this week honored Cody Wydo of Robert Morris University as their player of the week for his performance against Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
It was the fourth time during the 2013-2014 season that Wydo brought home the award.
In the regional semifinal against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Wydo became the program’s all-time leading goal scorer when he recorded the 65th goal of his career. During the contest, Wydo also recorded an assist to finish the season with 31 goals and 54 points, both of which are single-season records at RMU.
The junior left wing from Southgate, Mich., put together a season for the record books for Robert Morris (19-18-5, 13-9-5 AHA). Wydo became the first junior in program history to reach 100 career points, and currently has 107 points in his three seasons as a Colonial. That is good for the fourth-highest total in the 10-year program history.
Wydo was named to the all-AHA first team after the regular season and earned a spot on the AHA all-tournament team. In helping the Colonials win their first AHA championship, he was also named the tournament’s most valuable player.
On the women’s side of the house, RMU freshmen Jessica Dodds and Brittany Howard were two of six players to be named to the United States College Hockey Online (USCHO.com) all-rookie team.
The last time a Colonial was selected to the USCHO all-rookie team was following the 2011-12 season when Rebecca Vint was honored. RMU is the only school to claim more than one spot on this season’s squad.
RMU freshman goalie Jessica Dodds took the CHA by storm this season, helping the Colonials to another winning year. (Photo: RMU Athletics)
Dodds won College Hockey America’s rookie of the year earlier this month at the annual CHA tournament banquet. The Ontario-born netminder paced the rookie class in practically every statistical category, leading with 21 wins, a .776 win percentage, a 1.66 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage, and five shutouts.
The first freshman goaltender in conference history to claim All-CHA first team honors, Dodds was a three-time CHA goaltender of the month winner in November, December, and January; was a CHA rookie of the month recipient in October; and won seven conference weekly awards with five goaltender and two rookie honors in 2013-14.
Howard was named to the All-CHA second team after a historic freshman campaign. The St. Thomas, Ontario native forward was outstanding in numerous statistical categories, including leading RMU in assists with 24, points with 41, and five game-winning goals. Howard was second with 17 goals, and was one of three freshmen to record a hat trick this season.
The rookie winger broke the single-season program record for assists, topping Vint’s mark of 22 set in 2011-12. On Nov. 29, she became the third player in school history to score four or more goals in a game, accomplishing the feat in the Colonials’ 4-2 victory over Maine.
Howard was named CHA player of the month for October and CHA rookie of the month in November. She also won five conference weekly awards this season.
The future of Robert Morris men’s and women’s hockey is indeed looking bright. Let’s get ready to drop the puck next fall.