Niko Tournas 2024 UNH Commit

“Tournas scored among the best objectives we noticed all week on a snipe high nook from the slot which was not solely completely positioned and had an explosive launch however he learn the goalie and noticed that was the one spot he may have put it. An intriguing prospect together with his measurement, his athleticism, his skating capacity and uncooked instruments” Impartial Zone, July, 2022

Niko Tournas Ahead, 6’2″, 185 lbs. Shoots Proper Hometown: Redding, Connecticut DOB: February 17, 2006 16 years, 7 months Impartial Zone Score: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Present Workforce: New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA (THF 16U) Dedicated to UNH in September, 2022 at Age 16 years, 7 months.

2022 Spotlight Reel

Interview

I had a possibility to interview Niko Tournas, through electronic mail, about his hockey profession and dedication to UNH:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations in your dedication to play for the College of New Hampshire. How did you first change into involved in UNH? What are the primary causes you selected to decide to UNH?

Niko Tournas: I all the time have been a Hockey East Fan and all the time wished to play in that league. I turned involved in UNH once I bought to fulfill the teaching employees and see the campus. Cherished every little thing about it and the Teaching Employees simply made the entire thing really feel proper.

I selected UNH as a result of I cherished the campus however extra importantly Coach Mike, Coach Jeff and Coach Glenn made me really feel welcome and I consider they may assist me take my hockey to the following stage.

Mike Lowry: What different school packages did you take into account through the recruiting course of? Which colleges did you go to and which of them made a suggestion to you?

Niko Tournas: Sure, I thought of different colleges in Hockey East and sure there have been colleges speaking about presents however Coach Mike and the UNH employees simply made me really feel welcome. Typically it’s important to go along with your intestine and my intestine advised me UNH is my college. I wish to be a Wildcat and I wished to be part of a real hockey college. I do know they love their hockey at UNH and I hope so as to add to that pleasure.

Lowry: Have you ever and the UNH coaches agreed on a goal date so that you can enroll as a freshman at UNH and be part of the crew?

Tournas: My purpose is to play Juniors within the USHL my Senior 12 months in highschool and see how issues go from there. I used to be drafted by the Omaha Lancers and I’m working onerous to hopefully play for Coach Wilkie and the Lancers subsequent yr.

Lowry: At this stage in your improvement, what are the primary strengths of your sport? What areas are you making an attempt to enhance?

Tournas: I’ve all the time been referred to as a purpose scorer. I really like scoring and I’m all the time engaged on inventive methods to beat a goalie and put the puck within the web.

I’m all the time making an attempt to enhance each side of my sport. I consider the off ice piece is simply as necessary because the on ice piece. I’m working onerous off ice to get stronger and quicker. Hitting the health club has change into my foremost focus now and my new obsession.

Lowry: Final yr, as a sophomore at your hometown highschool – Joel Barlow HS, Redding, Connecticut – you performed for Joel Barlow/Weston/Abbott, a co-op of three excessive colleges in Connecticut’s Division III South-West Convention (SWC). You scored 59 objectives, 15 assists in 21 video games, lead the crew to the SWC Championship, and earned D-III SWC Participant of the 12 months. Would you describe what it meant to attain these accomplishments in your hometown?

Tournas: I used to be very excited to have the ability to play for my native highschool and take them to their first ever SWC Convention Championship. I had an excellent coach and would love a shout out to Coach Mike Mallozzi who made that yr much more gratifying. I loved each second taking part in and had an excellent bunch of teammates that made hockey enjoyable.

Lowry: This season, you are taking part in for the New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA crew based mostly in Bridgewater, NJ. What went into your resolution to make this transfer? You have already scored 10 objectives, 7 assists in 8 video games. Do you’re feeling the extent of competitors is difficult sufficient?

Tournas: Enjoying for the NJ Rockets is by far the very best hockey resolution I’ve made to this point. I used to be searching for a crew that will compete for a Nationwide Championship and a Coach that may take them there.

The competitors is high notch and taking part in for Coach Noel Rubin has elevated my sport and is making me the hockey participant I wish to change into. He holds me accountable and makes me work tougher then I’ve ever labored. I do know that Coach Rubin will get me prepared for subsequent yr and taking part in within the USHL. I’m surrounded by very proficient gamers and a Coach that is aware of what to do with them. I look ahead to my journey with this crew and my teammates.

Lowry: There are a selection of indicators you might be one of many high US forwards born in 2006. You participated within the 2021 USA Hockey Choose 15 Participant Improvement Camp and the 2022 Choose 16 Camp. You have been invited to compete for a roster place on the 2022 US Nationwide Workforce Improvement Program’s analysis camp. Additionally, the Impartial Zone scouting service ranked you the thirty ninth ahead on their listing of high 300 gamers born in 2006. How do you assume your abilities evaluate with the opposite high US forwards in your beginning yr?

Tournas: I consider I can compete with anybody. I work onerous on a regular basis. I shoot pucks on a regular basis. I do know what I have to do to be among the best and I attempt to stay my life to perform my objectives. I do know if I take the break day or every week off somebody out there may be working onerous so I select to maintain working on daily basis until I get to the end line. .

Lowry: Final Might, the Omaha Lancers chosen you within the eighth Spherical (113th General) of the 2022 USHL Section I (Futures) Draft. You participated of their coaching camp this summer time. Do you anticipate taking part in for Omaha this season or subsequent?

Tournas: I will probably be taking part in for the NJ Rockets and Coach Noel Rubin this yr. I hope to be taking part in for the Omaha Lancers and Coach Wilkie subsequent season.

Lowry: When do you propose to graduate from highschool? What are your tutorial strengths and pursuits? Have you considered what you may main in whenever you enroll at UNH?

Tournas: I will probably be graduating in 2024. My strengths are Math and English. I will probably be majoring in Finance at UNH.

Impartial Zone Scouting Report

Nationwide Workforce Improvement Program Analysis Camp, March, 2022

“Tournas was a bit beneath the radar final yr heading into Nationwide Improvement Camp in Buffalo over the summer time however his 4 objectives in 4 video games and measurement and ability mixture caught our consideration. This season he performed Connecticut Excessive College hockey so this was fairly a soar in competitors for Tournas however to his credit score he rose to the problem.”

“He’s 6’1” and 181lbs, he has a protracted and fluid stride, handles the puck nicely on the push and may minimize inside on defenders. He confirmed poise with the puck and a slick toe drag and pull earlier than he shoots to vary the angle and he can do it at velocity. He scored a pleasant purpose with a slight pull and launch that snuck in 5-hole in opposition to U17’s and scored once more on a line rush on a deke and shoot play at velocity. He can catch passes on each his forehand and backhand and settle wobbling pucks exhibiting his puck contact. Tournas remains to be a bit inexperienced having not performed a lot excessive stage competitors hockey however he has all of the uncooked instruments you need in a tall, athletic, expert ahead with excessive potential.”

Youth & Excessive College Hockey Statistics