Penn State ice hockey has received its seventh commitment in the form of Walpole (Mass.) Express assistant captain Matt Venoit.
Veniot had 50 points in 40 games this season.
Venoit, who just completed his third year of junior hockey, helped his Express team win its second straight league title as the second leading scorer, netting 50 points in 40 games. As evidenced by his 31 assists, the 20-year-old was described by head coach Tony Dalessio as a playmaking forward, and was actually told by coaches to shoot more after being too unselfish during the early stages of the season.
“He is a two-way forward, and is very responsible in all three zones,” said Dalessio on Monday. “He is a bit of a power forward, he uses his size, but he does have skill and is a good shooter. He isn’t an overly finesse player, but he knows where to be and how to gain points.”
The 11th leading scorer in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League can be relied on in any situation, and was used during his three years in Walpole on the power play, to kill penalties and in every situation of the game.
Named an assistant captain at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, the 6-foot forward was more of a leader-by-example, but grew into his role as a vocal leader as the season progressed.
Described as someone who was the first on the ice and last to leave it, nothing was below the veteran, as Venoit regularly helped pick up pucks at the end of practice, something usually left for the younger players to do. This is not much of a surprise from someone who comes from a military background, and has a very disciplined nutrition program.
Dalessio couldn’t be happier of his player and is excited to see what he can do at the next level at Penn State.
“Matt is just a super human being, he has been doing this for 15 years and he works hard every day. Penn State is getting a great player.”
- Andrew Dzurita
- Contributor - Lions247