Head coaches of the American Collegiate Hockey Association named Arizona Wildcats forward Anthony Cusanelli Division I rookie of the year Tuesday. Cusanelli is the first Wildcat to win the award.
In his first season at the UA, Cusanelli scored 31 goals and totaled 51 points. He recorded a point in 15 of 28 games and had 10 multi-goal outings, including a four-goal game against Grand Canyon in January. He had five game-winning scores.
The New Jersey native played two seasons in the North American Hockey League with the New Jersey Titans before coming to Tucson.
Cusanelli was the team leader in goals and points. He beat out Cole Gammer of Liberty, Jordan Oshowy of Adrian College, and Joe Nolan of Illinois for rookie of the year honors.
Cusanelli also won the Western Collegiate Hockey League's most valuable player, rookie of the year and Sportsmanship Award, while being named to the All-League first team and All-Rookie team. He took home UA's rookie of the year and most valuable player awards, as voted by his peers.
The Wildcats finished the 2017-18 season 24-11-2, ranked 16th in the country. Arizona earned a 16 seed in the ACHA national tournament and knocked off No. 17 Missouri State in Ohio before falling in the second round to top-seeded Minot State.
It was Arizona's first playoff appearance since 2016, when it also lost in the second round.
Cusanelli had a goal in this year's first-round win.
