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Key Statistics: Churchill
is a valuable contributor to the Canisius offense, though
he is not going to burn up any score sheets. He had
five goals and 13 assists in 37 games as a junior —
all but one helper came in league play. He ranked ninth
in goals and fifth in both assists and points for the
Golden Griffins. In 98 career games, he has nine goals
and 26 assists. In his first season of juniors in Ontario,
Churchill posted 15 goals and 39 points on the way to
being named team rookie of the year for the Burlington
Cougars. The next season, he posted 21 goals and 53
points in 51 games, and showed his rugged side with
64 penalty minutes, earning team MVP honors.
What He Does: Churchill
averaged nearly a point per game in juniors, but his
asset for Canisius is his defensive play. Playing alongside
the league’s top defensive forward, center Dave
Kasch, the Griffin pair were often assigned to mark
the opposition’s top offensive unit. The 6-foot,
185-pounder skates very well and adds a physical presence
on the ice. Churchill has good hockey sense and is rarely
caught out of position.
The Bigger Picture: Churchill,
who turns 24 in mid-January, has gotten bigger, stronger,
and faster during the offseason, and he will serve as
assistant captain during his final year. Canisius coach
Dave Smith is looking for leadership and increased scoring
from the lone senior forward in the Griffin lineup.
Smith believes Churchill has pro potential, and he will
have a graduate degree in business administration to
fall back on for the future.
Canisius coach Dave Smith on Churchill:
"Spencer is definitely a positive guy
in the dressing room — that’s why he is
wearing the letter. He is making good decisions off
the ice, and is respected for it. While points are nice,
his success will be measured as a leader and captain
and defensive player."
—
Ken McMillan |
Churchill
is among the top defensive forward in Atlantic
Hockey.