Sam Torney

Viewing 1 of 2

The defense for the St. Michael's College men's hockey team has a distinct Shelburne flavor and that's just fine with Purple Knights head coach Chris Davidson.

Junior Connor Logan and sophomore Sam Torney are two players the Purple Knights are counting on to keep opponents from scoring while giving the SMC offense an occasional boost.

"It's been a great addition having two very good Vermonters on our team," said Davidson." 

The two Shelburnites played for Rice Memorial but their paths from high school to St. Michael's diverged, Logan taking a circuitous route while Torney attended prep school before becoming a Purple Knight.

After high school, where he also played tennis and golf, Logan took a year off to play for the Green Mountain Glades while taking a few courses at Champlain College. The following year, he played 24 games for St. Anselm in New Hampshire, scoring one assist. 

"It really wasn't the right fit for me on the school side, but I had a great time playing hockey there," said Logan, who took a semester off to work, then attended Curry College for a semester "to get my grades up, find myself academically, and gain confidence in the classroom."

From there, Logan applied to St. Michael's, though he anticipated his prospects of being accepted as low. Instead, he gained entrance although he had to sit out the 2010-11 hockey season. "Coach said he'd welcome me but I'd be ineligible the first year. I wasn't able to play any games but I was able to practice with the team and be part of the team. I thought that was the best option for me," explained Logan, whose father, Dave, played over 200 NHL games and uncle, Bob, played for Yale and in the NHL.

This year, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior quickly made the starting lineup with the additional charge from Davidson that as an older player, Logan had to assume a leadership role.

"I hadn't played a game in 21/2 years. I was able to get in the games early and get comfortable on the ice," said Logan, whom Davidson describes as a strong skater and fierce competitor.

"He's probably our most balanced defenseman, offensively and defensively," said Davidson of Logan, who has three assists in 10 games prior to Tuesday's game at Southern New Hampshire. 

"I'm more of a defensive defenseman but I'm able to jump in the play. I'm a good puck mover in my own zone. I can get it to the forwards quickly, move on transition, and create offense in the other end," said Logan, who is also a physical presence for the Knights.

Like Logan, the 6-foot, 185-pound Torney comes from a hockey family. Father Bob played forward for the University of Vermont and professionally. Older brother Bobby was a defenseman at St. Lawrence and is playing in Belgium. Uncle Mike was also a Catamount defenseman who played professionally.

"Sam's similar to Connor. He's a very good skater, handles the puck really well, has a very good shot and he's a great team guy," Davidson said. "He has a very good offensive upside so I think we can create a little bit more with Sam. He loves to join the rush but sometimes he loves to play offense too much."

Torney attended the Berkshire School after Rice, where he also played soccer and lacrosse. He chose St. Michael's because of the school's size and its smaller classes, which allow stronger bonds with the professors. He said he was never concerned about "getting away from home" but added, "I told my mom the first day when I left for school to act like I'm 200 miles away and she did, although I find myself going home here and there."

As a freshman, Torney played in 22 games, scoring three goals and nine points. This year, he has five assists in SMC's 10 games. 

"Last year, I was more of a supportive guy in the locker room and around the team, keeping morale up and keeping the guys going, especially in practice," Torney said. "This year, I've taken on the role as a solid defenseman trying to be out there for the least goals [scored against] possible, help our guys out down low and be physical."

Prior to Tuesday, the Knights were 2-6-2 overall and 1-4-1 in ECAC East. Since St. Michael's is a Division II school, it is ineligible for the Division III East's tourney or the NCAAs, leaving the Northeast 10 title as their ultimate goal, a prize two Shelburne defensemen will do everything they can to help the Purple Knights succeed.

Contact Ted Ryan at TedRyanVT@aol with information on area college student-athletes.