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Stag skaters will be put to the test physically and mentally over the course of an intense two-and-a-half-day event, playing in five full-length games against the best all-star teams in the U.S.

These four players – Patrick Lawler ’18, Scott Kohlhepp ‘18, Frankie Wedge ‘20, and Ben Affenito ’21—will represent Fairfield as part of the Empire Hockey Conference All-Star Team. Coaches and officials have been monitoring players all season long, tracking player performances to be selected for this team. Players are selected through a voting system, conducted by the coaches of the Empire Conference. The coaches from each team vote on approximately 20 players that they think would best represent the Empire Conference as a whole. Overall, the team is comprised of athletes from Fairfield, Quinnipiac, Southern Connecticut State University, and Farmingdale State University.

“I feel honored to be selected for the team, and it was something that I worked for throughout the season, so I am very happy to have made an impression on the coaches of our conference,” said Affenito. “I'm most excited to not only represent my conference, but also my team, as I couldn't have gotten here without the support that they have given me throughout the season.”

The goal for this conference is for all six conferences in the ACHA to gather together and be further scouted for a separate select team to compete internationally. This year’s select players for the ACHA All-Star Team will travel to Russia next winter break. Kohlhepp, Fairfield Club Hockey Captain, participated in this competition last year and was among the select players to compete in Europe.

“It is a great feeling to have my hard work recognized by the league,” said Kohlhepp. “Not only was this an incredible experience traveling to Europe for 14 days over winter break, I also formed some incredible relationships with the other players from across the country who were on the team, as well as many of the ACHA staff that accompanied us on the trip.”