Senior Night Recognition 2026, Syracuse Men’s Hockey

By Isabella Cucci, head beat writer, and Sophia Volz

As the 2025-2026 campaign reaches its final stretch, Syracuse Men’s Hockey will celebrate its senior class before Saturday’s Senior Game Day matchup. Members of the Class of 2026 will be honored prior to the game for their endless dedication, time, and effort that they have given to the program throughout their careers. We congratulate eight players and eight staff members for their unwavering commitment to Syracuse Hockey, and we are looking forward to celebrating this group.

Player Recognitions

Henry Pendleton, Forward

Senior Henry Pendleton from Annapolis, Maryland, has skated in 20 games for the Orange across two seasons with the program. After earning his degree in Economics in May, he plans to move to California and become a United States Navy SEAL Officer. His favorite memory from his time with the program came this season when the Orange, as underdogs, defeated #2 seeded Adrian College.  

John Angelino, Goaltender

Senior goaltender John Angelino from Marblehead, Massachusetts, has appeared in net in 10 games during his four year tenure with Syracuse Men’s Hockey. This May, he is set to receive his degree in Finance and plans to pursue a career in music investment in New York. His favorite memories with the team stem from their playoff push during the 2024-2025 season. 

Jacob VonTersch, Defenseman

From Luverne, Minnesota, Senior Jacob Vontersch has played 69 games for the Orange across three seasons. This May, he will graduate with his degree in Applied Data Analytics. Following graduation he plans to start his career in analytics on the east coast, eventually moving back home to the midwest. His favorite memories from his time with the team stem from their dominant run last season when the Orange entered the ESCHL playoffs as the #5 seeds.

Jack Wren, Forward

From Saratoga, New York, senior Jack Wren has skated in 98 games during his four years with the program. This May, he will earn his degrees in both Finance and Business Analytics and plans to either work as a finance broker in New York or continue to run his company, Happy Duck, that he started while in school. His favorite memory during his time as an Orange is when the team played in front of a crowd of 6,000 people against Liberty University during their “Midnight Mayhem” game during the 2023-2024 season. 

AJ Finta, Goaltender

From Brandford, Connecticut, senior AJ Finta has played 72 games across four seasons in between the pipes for the Orange. Following graduation in May, Finta will earn his degree in Finance and plans to begin his career in sales in Boston. His favorite memories from his tenure with the program come from last season, when the Orange caught momentum and made a run during the second half of the season.

Sean Caddo (Assistant Captain), Defenseman

Senior Assistant Captain Sean Caddo from Chester, New Jersey has skated in 111 games during four seasons as an Orange, leaving a significant mark on the program. After receiving his degree in Advertising, Caddo plans to pursue his career in either Boston or New York. His favorite memories with the team come from their ESCHL playoff run last season. 

Jack Alecia (Assistant Captain), Forward

Senior Assistant Captain Jack Alecia from Fairfield, Connecticut, appeared in 69 games over four seasons with Syracuse, and has had a lasting influence on the team. After earning his degree in Sports Analytics in May, he hopes to begin his professional career in a major city, ideally, living alongside some of his teammates while they take this next step together. While he is excited for what is ahead, Alecia will miss the team’s Thanksgiving dinner tradition every year that brought the team together and strengthened the bond that defined his time at Syracuse. 

Connor Chesner (Captain), Defenseman

From Aspen, Colorado, senior captain Connor Chesner has played in 125 games across his four seasons with the program, contributing meaningfully to the team's success on and off the ice. Following graduation in May, he will receive his dual degree in Marketing and Finance and plans to work for commercial real estate company Marcus & Millichap in Washington D.C. Chesner speaks very highly about his time with the program sharing that, “during the ESCHL playoff run, I had the best time of my hockey career. The team was such a close group, all chasing one common goal, with so much belief and support for each other. I’ll be forever grateful for that experience with the guys, and I hope we are able to do that again with this group.”

Honoring Our Graduating Student Operations Team

Natalie Symonowicz, Beat Writer

Senior Natalie Symonowicz has demonstrated her strong storytelling skills throughout her one year with the SU hockey staff. This May, she will earn her degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and plans on starting her career as a sideline reporter following graduation. 

Jacob Erlbaum, Broadcast Team

Senior Jacob Erlbaum’s commitment to the Syracuse Men’s Hockey staff over the past three years has been essential to the success of the game broadcasts. He is planning on earning his degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and to return to his home state of Pennsylvania to pursue a career in sports broadcasting.

Meghan McPherson, Social Media Team 

Senior Meghan McPherson’s skills over the past two years have been an asset to social media production for Syracuse Men’s Hockey. She plans on earning a degree in Television Radio and Film and plans on pursuing a career in sport production. 

Brian Piendel, Beat Writer

Graduate student Brian Piendel has made an immediate impact on the Syracuse Men’s Hockey Staff through his one year with the program. This spring, he will earn his Master’s degree in Public Relations on the Sports Media and Communications track and wants to continue to work in sports, wishing to pursue a career in hockey communications. 

Gino Capicchioni, Videographer 

Graduate student Gino Capicchioni has had an immense impact on the visual communications for the program throughout his one year on the staff. He’s produced several series recaps and captures the true essence of Syracuse Men’s Hockey in every project he’s worked on. This May, he will earn his masters in multimedia photography and design and hopes to continue his career in sports video production.

Arnav Pokhrel, Director of Broadcast Production

Senior Arnav Pokhrel’s past four years on the staff have been essential, providing live coverage of games and traveling with the team for road broadcasts while elevating the production of home games. He will earn his degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and plans to move to Europe, where he will begin working with a professional soccer team.

Linc Zdancewicz, Director of Game Day Operations

Senior Linc Zdancewicz has been a key member of the SU Men’s Hockey staff for the past two years as the director of game day operations and a video coach. He is set to earn his degree in Business Management this upcoming spring. Linc’s passion for hockey doesn’t stop here as he hopes to pursue a career in hockey operations post graduation. 

Madison Goodstein, Director of Social Media

Graduate student Madison Goodstein’s dedication over the past four years has played a key role in growing and strengthening the program’s social media presence. She will earn a Masters degree in Public Relations on the Sports Media and Communication track, where she hopes to pursue a career in sports content creation.

Maria Kaffes, Director of Communications

Senior Maria Kaffes’ ambitious drive to expand the program's visibility has been shown throughout her three years working with the program. From organizing special events, serving as the head photographer and expanding the SU Men’s Hockey staff, her legacy will forever be remembered. Maria is set to earn her degree in Public Relations and plans to pursue a career in the sports industry. 

Thank you to all our graduating players, staff, and broadcasters for your dedication to Syracuse Hockey’s development and success. Your endless commitment week in and week out has not gone unnoticed, and the impact you’ve made on this program will be felt for years to come.

You can catch seniors Arnav Pokhrel and Jacob Erlbaum on air tonight at Tennity Ice Pavilion. The Orange in their final regular game of the season will be taking on University of Pittsburgh at 2:00 p.m at The Tip.

All home games are held at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse University’s campus and are free for students and the general public. Home games are also streamed live on the SU Hockey Network.

All photos taken by Maria Kaffes.