BOSTON, Mass. - October 28, 2024 - Atlantic Hockey America is proud to honor four student-athletes as AHA Players of the Week for their outstanding on-ice performances in games of Oct. 22-26, 2024. This week's winners are Canisius sophomore Matteo Giampa (Forward), Robert Morris sophomore Michael Craig (Defenseman), Holy Cross senior Thomas Gale (Goaltender), and Army freshman JJ Cataldo (Rookie).

AHA FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Matteo Giampa, So., F, Canisius
Canisius sophomore forward Matteo Giampa collected six points on a goal and five assists in three games for the Golden Griffins this week. Giampa began the week with a five-point performance (1g, 4a) in the Griffs 6-3 victory over Mercyhurst on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The five points matches the program's Division I mark for points in a game, while the four assists are the most by Canisius skater since the 2016 season. Then on Saturday, Oct. 26, the Virgil, Ontario native recorded the primary assist on Canisius' lone goal in the series finale against (4/4) Michigan State. Giampa was the 2023-24 AHA Rookie of the Year, and this is his first AHA Weekly Award this season.

AHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Michael Craig, So., D, Robert Morris
Robert Morris sophomore defenseman Michael Craig had a productive weekend collecting two goals and two assists for four points in RMU's two-game weekend series against Niagara. After picking up an assist in Friday night's contest, Craig put together a three-point game (2g, 1a) on Saturday. With RMU trailing 4-2, Craig scored a pair of 3rd period goals to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Colonials would later earn the extra point in the shootout. Craig also assisted on Mitch Deelstra's 1st period tally. The St. Catharine's, Ontario native has opened the season on a four-game point streak, and currently leads the Colonials in points with six. His +7 rating also leads RMU and is tops in the AHA.

AHA GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Thomas Gale, Sr., G, Holy Cross
Holy Cross senior goaltender Thomas Gale led the Crusaders to a conference road win on Friday, Oct. 25 at Sacred Heart. Gale made 29 saves on 30 shots for a save percentage of .967 in 61:13 between the pipes in Holy Cross' thrilling 2-1 overtime win. On the weekend, the Kirkland, Quebec native stopped 44-of-47 shots for a save percentage of .936 and 1.51 goals-against average. On the season, Gale sports a save percentage of .918 and goals-against average of 2.47 in seven games.

AHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
JJ Cataldo, Fr., G, Army
Army's JJ Cataldo earned his first career win in his first career start on Saturday, Oct. 26 vs. Bentley. The Stuart, Fla. native turned aside 31-of-32 shot attempts, good for a save percentage of .969, en route to a 4-1 victory for the Black Knights. He didn't allow an even-strength goal, only allowing a power play goal in the 2nd period. Cataldo made nine saves in the 1st period, 12 in the 2nd period, and 10 in the 3rd period. 

About Atlantic Hockey America
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) embarks on its first season in 2024-25 after the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 11 men’s teams (American International College, Bentley University, Canisius University, The College of Holy Cross, Mercyhurst University, Niagara University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris University, Sacred Heart University, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Military Academy), and six women’s teams (Lindenwood University, Mercyhurst University, Penn State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris University, and Syracuse University). In 2025-26, Delaware University will join the women’s league. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.