Offensive production wasn’t among the Falcon hockey team’s strong points last season.
Then again, not much was.
Jake Cepis, a Bowling Green freshman ranked 16th among the top national incoming collegiate recruits by InsideCollegeHockey.com, leads a freshman class that hopes to help change that this winter.
The honor adds another dimension to Cepis’ already growing list of distinctions. Last season he led the United States Hockey League with 34 goals while playing for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. For this feat he was named First Team All-USHL and selected to play in the 2006 USHL All-Star Game.
Cepis showed off his leadership qualities as an assistant captain for the Roughriders in 2006.
Despite the accolades, Cepis remains modest. As the season approaches he tries not to worry about the ranking.
“It brings more attention to you and away from the team,” Cepis said. “It’s all about the team, but I’m glad that with my hard work it will be good for the school.”
The young forward carries that humble personality on a humble frame, standing only 5 feet 6 inches and 165 pounds.
Apparently it’s what’s on the inside that counts though because BG coach Scott Paluch has already noticed that Cepis shows unusual confidence on the ice for a freshman.
He also described the rookie’s speed as “something jumping at us right now that will really help our team this year.”
“We need him to produce and he’s going to be put into roles to do that,” said Paluch.
Cepis looks to bring his scoring poise and quickness to a BG squad that fell dead last in CCHA scoring in 2006-2007.
Cepis hails from Parma, Ohio, a city near Cleveland already known for a Falcon hockey standout in former NHL player Brian Holzinger. Both players are aware of the connection, and are actually quite close. In fact, Cepis cited Holzinger as one of the reasons for him choosing BGSU early on in his junior year of high school.
Although the University’s ice-centered tradition has faded lately, Cepis appears confident the program can rebound this year.
“It’s a great hockey school,” he stated. “People need to be coming to see us. We have a great team, a great bunch of guys and we’re going to have a hell of a season this year.”
So much for modesty.
