BOSTON, Mass. - October 7, 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. 4-5, 2024. This week's winners are Penn State junior Tessa Janecke (Forward), Robert Morris sophomore Thalia D'Elia (Defenseman), Robert Morris sophomore Maggie Hatch (Goaltender), and Syracuse freshman Rylee McLeod (Rookie).

AHA FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Tessa Janecke, Jr., F, Penn State
Junior forward Tessa Janecke tallied three points (1g, 2a) in Penn State's two-game series at (9/9) UConn. Janecke put together a multi-point effort on Saturday, scoring a short-handed goal and picking up an assist in Penn State's 4-2 victory over the Huskies. The goal tied the game at one in the 2nd period leading the Nittany Lions to their first ever win over UConn. The Orangeville, Ill native also racked up 27 faceoff wins in the series on 42 attempts, while putting 13 shots on net. On the year, Janecke leads the Nittany Lions with six points off two goals and four assists.

AHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Thalia D'Elia, So., D, Robert Morris
Sophomore defenseman Thalia D'Elia put together a three-point weekend (1g, 2a), to help RMU sweep Bemidji State. The West Chester, Pa. native picked up an assist in Friday's contest, then had a multi-point effort on Saturday, which included scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. Through four games, D'Elia leads the Colonials in points with five (2g, 3a). D'Elia has now won AHA Defenseman of the Week in the first two weeks of the 2024-25 season.

AHA GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Maggie Hatch, So., G, Robert Morris
Sophomore netminder Maggie Hatch led the Colonials to a sweep over Bemidji State this weekend, getting the start between the pipes in both games and allowing just three goals in 121:55. The Cleveland Heights, Ohio native earned her second career shutout and first of the season on Friday, turning aside all 46 shots she faced. On the weekend, she stopped 73-of-76 shots for a save percentage of .961. Going back to last week, Hatch had a shutout streak of 114 minutes, making 81 saves during that time period. She has started the season 3-0 and now has 12 career wins.

AHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Rylee McLeod, Fr., F, Syracuse
Syracuse's Rylee McLeod logged her first collegiate points on Saturday with a goal and an assist in Syracuse's 4-0 win. She finished the weekend with a +3 rating to lead all forwards for the Orange in their two-game sweep over Stonehill. The Grand Prairie, Alberta native added 14 faceoff wins, including going 10-of-15 on Friday night (.667) during her first college game while centering the third line.

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 College, 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.