Four BCHL alumni were recognized with weekly awards over the past few days. Get caught up in this week’s NCAA Roundup, presented by CWENCH Hydration.
Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week
Ajeet Gundarah (G) – Freshman – Sacred Heart University (Langley/Surrey)
Making his first two collegiate starts last weekend, Gundarah led the Pioneers to a 2-0 result on the road at Mercyhurst. He made 26 saves in a 4-3 win on Friday to earn his first collegiate win, then followed that up by stopping 34 of 35 shots en route to a 4-1 victory on Saturday. In total, the Richmond, B.C. native turned aside 60 of 64 shots on the weekend, good for a save percentage of .938 and goals-against average of 2.00.
The 2003-born netminder played three seasons in the BCHL from 2021 to 2024, the first two with the Langley Rivermen and the third with the Surrey Eagles. In his final season, Gundarah led the league with a .931 save percentage, had the second-best goals-against average at 2.14 and helped guide the Eagles to their first Fred Page Cup championship since 2013. He was rewarded with the Michael Garteig Trophy as the league’s Top Goaltender.
CCHA Goaltender of the Week
Rorke Applebee – Freshman – Lake Superior State University (West Kelowna Warriors)
Applebee went 2-0-0 with CCHA-bests in goals-against average (0.50) and save percentage (.984), posting the only shutout in the conference over the weekend. Turning away a total of 62 of 63 shots over both games, he earned his second shutout of the season on Friday against Northern Michigan with 34 saves in a 5-0 win. On Saturday, he registered 28 stops in a 5-1 victory.
The Châteauguay, Que. native played the 2023-24 campaign with the West Kelowna Warriors where he had a top-five goals-against average with a rate of 2.63, a save percentage of .902 and three shutouts.
ECAC Hockey Defender of the Week
CJ Foley – Sophomore – Dartmouth College (Salmon Arm Silverbacks)
Foley, the 2023-24 ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year, notched one goal and two assists last weekend against Quinnipiac and Princeton. The Hanover, Mass. native ended the weekend with a plus-4 rating, helping Dartmouth to their first 4-0-0 start since the 1957-58 season.
The 20-year-old played the 2022-23 campaign with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks where he led the team in points from the back end, putting up seven goals and 20 assists in 48 regular-season games. He was also productive during Salmon Arm’s postseason run, contributing eight points in 14 games.
ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week
Frias led the Bulldogs to a 1-0-1 weekend record, scoring his first career points with two goals and three assists. The Hudson, Mass. native helped lead the Bulldogs to a 2-2 tie at vs. Cornell and a 4-3 victory at Colgate.
Playing alongside his twin brother Julian, Frias spent two seasons with the Cranbrook Bucks from 2022 to 2024. In 105 regular-season games, he totaled 38 goals, 34 assists and 72 points. He was Cranbrook’s representative at the 2024 All-Star Weekend.
