UNH Commit Niko Tournas: A Tall, Athletic, Skilled Forward
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| Niko Tournas 2024 UNH Commit |
"Tournas scored one of the best goals we saw all week on a snipe top corner from the slot which was not only perfectly placed and had an explosive release but he read the goalie and saw that was the only spot he could have put it. An intriguing prospect with his size, his athleticism, his skating ability and raw tools" Neutral Zone, July, 2022
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Niko Tournas
Forward, 6'2", 185 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: Redding, Connecticut DOB: February 17, 2006 16 years, 7 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Current Team: New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA (THF 16U) Committed to UNH in September, 2022 at Age 16 years, 7 months. |
2022 Highlight Reel
Interview
I had an opportunity to interview Niko Tournas, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:
I chose UNH because I loved the campus but more importantly Coach Mike, Coach Jeff and Coach Glenn made me feel welcome and I believe they will help me take my hockey to the next level.
Mike Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?
Niko Tournas: Yes, I considered other schools in Hockey East and yes there were schools talking about offers but Coach Mike and the UNH staff just made me feel welcome. Sometimes you have to go with your gut and my gut told me UNH is my school. I want to be a Wildcat and I wanted to be a part of a true hockey school. I know they love their hockey at UNH and I hope to add to that excitement.
Lowry: Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for you to enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?
Tournas: My goal is to play Juniors in the USHL my Senior Year in high school and see how things go from there. I was drafted by the Omaha Lancers and I am working hard to hopefully play for Coach Wilkie and the Lancers next year.
Lowry: At this stage in your development, what are the main strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?
Tournas: I have always been known as a goal scorer. I love scoring and I am always working on creative ways to beat a goalie and put the puck in the net.
I am always trying to improve every aspect of my game. I believe the off ice piece is just as important as the on ice piece. I am working hard off ice to get stronger and faster. Hitting the gym has become my main focus now and my new obsession.
Lowry: Last year, as a sophomore at your hometown high school - Joel Barlow HS, Redding, Connecticut - you played for Joel Barlow/Weston/Abbott, a co-op of three high schools in Connecticut's Division III South-West Conference (SWC). You scored 59 goals, 15 assists in 21 games, lead the team to the SWC Championship, and earned D-III SWC Player of the Year. Would you describe what it meant to achieve these accomplishments in your hometown?
Tournas: I was very excited to be able to play for my local high school and take them to their first ever SWC Conference Championship. I had a great coach and would love a shout out to Coach Mike Mallozzi who made that year even more enjoyable. I enjoyed every second playing and had a great bunch of teammates that made hockey fun.
Lowry: This season, you're playing for the New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA team based in Bridgewater, NJ. What went into your decision to make this move? You've already scored 10 goals, 7 assists in 8 games. Do you feel the level of competition is challenging enough?
Tournas: Playing for the NJ Rockets is by far the best hockey decision I have made so far. I was looking for a team that would compete for a National Championship and a Coach that can take them there.
The competition is top notch and playing for Coach Noel Rubin has elevated my game and is making me the hockey player I want to become. He holds me accountable and makes me work harder then I have ever worked. I know that Coach Rubin will get me ready for next year and playing in the USHL. I am surrounded by very talented players and a Coach that knows what to do with them. I look forward to my journey with this team and my teammates.
Lowry: There are a number of indicators you are one of the top US forwards born in 2006. You participated in the 2021 USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp and the 2022 Select 16 Camp. You were invited to compete for a roster position at the 2022 US National Team Development Program's evaluation camp. Also, the Neutral Zone scouting service ranked you the 39th forward on their list of top 300 players born in 2006. How do you think your skills compare with the other top US forwards in your birth year?
Tournas: I believe I can compete with anyone. I work hard everyday. I shoot pucks everyday. I know what I need to do to be one of the best and I try and live my life to accomplish my goals. I know if I take the day off or a week off someone out there is working hard so I choose to keep working every day till I get to the finish line. .
Lowry: Last May, the Omaha Lancers selected you in the 8th Round (113th Overall) of the 2022 USHL Phase I (Futures) Draft. You participated in their training camp this summer. Do you anticipate playing for Omaha this season or next?
Tournas: I will be playing for the NJ Rockets and Coach Noel Rubin this year. I hope to be playing for the Omaha Lancers and Coach Wilkie next season.
Lowry: When do you plan to graduate from high school? What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?
Tournas: I will be graduating in 2024. My strengths are Math and English. I will be majoring in Finance at UNH.
National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp, March, 2022
"Tournas was a bit under the radar last year heading into National Development Camp in Buffalo over the summer but his 4 goals in 4 games and size and skill combination caught our attention. This season he played Connecticut High School hockey so this was quite a jump in competition for Tournas but to his credit he rose to the challenge."
"He’s 6’1” and 181lbs, he has a long and fluid stride, handles the puck well on the rush and can cut inside on defenders. He showed poise with the puck and a slick toe drag and pull before he shoots to change the angle and he can do it at speed. He scored a nice goal with a slight pull and release that snuck in 5-hole against U17’s and scored again on a line rush on a deke and shoot play at speed. He can catch passes on both his forehand and backhand and settle wobbling pucks showing his puck touch. Tournas is still a bit green having not played much high level competition hockey but he has all the raw tools you want in a tall, athletic, skilled forward with high potential."
Youth & High School Hockey Statistics
| Player | Season | Team | League | GP | Goals | Asst | Pts | PIM | Niko Tournas (F) | 2022-23 | New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA | THF 16U | 8 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Columbia | USA Select 16 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2021-22 | Joel Barlow Weston Abbott High | USHS-CT | 21 | 59 | 15 | 74 | - | |
| Yale Jr. Bulldogs 15U | BEAST 15U | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Team Navy | USA Select 15 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2020-21 | CT Jr. Whalers 14U AAA | AYHL 14U | 7 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 6 | |
| 2019-20 | CT Jr. Whalers 13U AAA | AYHL 13U | 25 | 26 | 23 | 49 | 20 |
posted by Mike Lowry at 10:00 AM
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