Ice Owl named All-American

PETE PAGUAGA — Sports Editor
The Ice Owls finished this season with an incredible 21-1 record, which includes their dominating performance at the League Championships. With all the success they have had as a team this year, one player stood out and was rewarded for it.
Steve Rosenkrantz was a second-team All-American after finishing the season with 25 goals, 50 assists and 75 points in only 22 games for a ridiculous 3.4 points per game.
“It feels good; it’s a big honor when you work hard for it,” said Rosenkrantz. “It’s good to see it pay off.”
Rosenkrantz, who was born and raised in California, started playing roller hockey when he was seven and then moved to ice hockey when he was 12.
“I always used to play roller hockey in streets, but when I was 12 I started playing ice hockey,” said Rosenkrantz.
A big part of Rosenkrantz’s game is his hands, which he uses to deke and dangle around opponents, giving him more room to operate with the puck.
“I had a buddy who was so good with his hands. I envied him so I always was on his team,” said Rosenkrantz. “I also watch videos.”
Ice Owls captain Joe Innamorato sees Rosenkrantz being named an All-American as something that was way overdue; he said that the team has always known how good he is and that with the team being so successful it finally shed light on Rosenkrantz.
“It’s nothing new to us,” said Innamorato. “Our team is in the spotlight this season and Steve is finally getting the credit that he deserves.”
This season the Ice Owls came into the season wanting to play better defensively, and Rosenkrantz, who played mainly on the power play last season and saw a lot of time on the penalty kill this season, was one of the players who excelled.
“Years before we were a more offensive team. This year our goal was to allow less goals,” said Rosenkrantz. “We bought into the defensive scheme.”
One superstition that Rosenkrantz has that will cause many athletic trainers to cringe is that he refuses to stretch before games.
“I never stretch,” said Rosenkrantz, “I don’t warm up before games either. I hate it; it makes me sore before the game.”
Innamorato, who was named an Academic All-American himself, was very happy for Rosenkrantz not only because of his stats but also because of how good a teammate he is.
“He’s a great teammate but a better friend,” said Innamorato. “He leads by example on the ice and he is the big play guy.”
For a club program that has amassed a huge following on campus, Innamorato is happy to see that the Ice Owls are finally getting some credit.
“Seeing SCSU on the second team All-American—it’s nice to see.”