A Tall, Athletic, Expert Ahead

Niko Tournas 2024 UNH Commit

“Tournas scored among the finest objectives we noticed all week on a snipe high nook from the slot which was not solely completely positioned and had an explosive launch however he learn the goalie and noticed that was the one spot he might have put it. An intriguing prospect together with his dimension, his athleticism, his skating capacity and uncooked instruments” Impartial Zone, July, 2022

Niko Tournas Ahead, 6’2″, 185 lbs. Shoots Proper Hometown: Redding, Connecticut DOB: February 17, 2006 16 years, 7 months Impartial Zone Ranking: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Present Staff: New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA (THF 16U) Dedicated to UNH in September, 2022 at Age 16 years, 7 months.

2022 Spotlight Reel

Interview

I had a possibility to interview Niko Tournas, through e-mail, about his hockey profession and dedication to UNH:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations in your dedication to play for the College of New Hampshire. How did you first turn out to be curious about UNH? What are the primary causes you selected to decide to UNH?

Niko Tournas: I at all times have been a Hockey East Fan and at all times needed to play in that league. I turned curious about UNH once I acquired to satisfy the teaching workers and see the campus. Liked every little thing about it and the Teaching Employees simply made the entire thing really feel proper.

I selected UNH as a result of I liked the campus however extra importantly Coach Mike, Coach Jeff and Coach Glenn made me really feel welcome and I consider they may assist me take my hockey to the subsequent stage.

Mike Lowry: What different faculty applications did you take into account throughout the recruiting course of? Which faculties did you go to and which of them made a suggestion to you?

Niko Tournas: Sure, I thought of different faculties in Hockey East and sure there have been faculties speaking about presents however Coach Mike and the UNH workers simply made me really feel welcome. Typically you must go along with your intestine and my intestine informed me UNH is my faculty. I wish to be a Wildcat and I needed to be part of a real hockey faculty. I do know they love their hockey at UNH and I hope so as to add to that pleasure.

Lowry: Have you ever and the UNH coaches agreed on a goal date so that you can enroll as a freshman at UNH and be a part of the workforce?

Tournas: My purpose is to play Juniors within the USHL my Senior Yr in highschool and see how issues go from there. I used to be drafted by the Omaha Lancers and I’m working exhausting to hopefully play for Coach Wilkie and the Lancers subsequent yr.

Lowry: At this stage in your improvement, what are the primary strengths of your sport? What areas are you attempting to enhance?

Tournas: I’ve at all times been generally known as a purpose scorer. I like scoring and I’m at all times engaged on artistic methods to beat a goalie and put the puck within the internet.

I’m at all times attempting to enhance each facet of my sport. I consider the off ice piece is simply as necessary because the on ice piece. I’m working exhausting off ice to get stronger and sooner. Hitting the health club has turn out to be my essential focus now and my new obsession.

Lowry: Final yr, as a sophomore at your hometown highschool – Joel Barlow HS, Redding, Connecticut – you performed for Joel Barlow/Weston/Abbott, a co-op of three excessive faculties in Connecticut’s Division III South-West Convention (SWC). You scored 59 objectives, 15 assists in 21 video games, lead the workforce to the SWC Championship, and earned D-III SWC Participant of the Yr. Would you describe what it meant to realize these accomplishments in your hometown?

Tournas: I used to be very excited to have the ability to play for my native highschool and take them to their first ever SWC Convention Championship. I had an excellent coach and would love a shout out to Coach Mike Mallozzi who made that yr much more gratifying. I loved each second enjoying and had an excellent bunch of teammates that made hockey enjoyable.

Lowry: This season, you are enjoying for the New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA workforce primarily based in Bridgewater, NJ. What went into your determination to make this transfer? You’ve got already scored 10 objectives, 7 assists in 8 video games. Do you are feeling the extent of competitors is difficult sufficient?

Tournas: Taking part in for the NJ Rockets is by far the very best hockey determination I’ve made to date. I used to be searching for a workforce that might compete for a Nationwide Championship and a Coach that may take them there.

The competitors is high notch and enjoying for Coach Noel Rubin has elevated my sport and is making me the hockey participant I wish to turn out to be. He holds me accountable and makes me work more durable then I’ve ever labored. I do know that Coach Rubin will get me prepared for subsequent yr and enjoying within the USHL. I’m surrounded by very proficient gamers and a Coach that is aware of what to do with them. I stay up for my journey with this workforce and my teammates.

Lowry: There are a selection of indicators you might be one of many high US forwards born in 2006. You participated within the 2021 USA Hockey Choose 15 Participant Growth Camp and the 2022 Choose 16 Camp. You had been invited to compete for a roster place on the 2022 US Nationwide Staff Growth Program’s analysis camp. Additionally, the Impartial Zone scouting service ranked you the thirty ninth ahead on their listing of high 300 gamers born in 2006. How do you assume your expertise examine with the opposite high US forwards in your beginning yr?

Tournas: I consider I can compete with anybody. I work exhausting on a regular basis. I shoot pucks on a regular basis. I do know what I must do to be among the finest and I try to dwell my life to perform my objectives. I do know if I take the time without work or per week off somebody out there may be working exhausting so I select to maintain working every single day until I get to the end line. .

Lowry: Final Could, the Omaha Lancers chosen you within the eighth Spherical (113th Total) of the 2022 USHL Section I (Futures) Draft. You participated of their coaching camp this summer time. Do you anticipate enjoying for Omaha this season or subsequent?

Tournas: I will likely be enjoying for the NJ Rockets and Coach Noel Rubin this yr. I hope to be enjoying for the Omaha Lancers and Coach Wilkie subsequent season.

Lowry: When do you propose to graduate from highschool? What are your tutorial strengths and pursuits? Have you considered what you would possibly main in once you enroll at UNH?

Tournas: I will likely be graduating in 2024. My strengths are Math and English. I will likely be majoring in Finance at UNH.

Impartial Zone Scouting Report

Nationwide Staff Growth Program Analysis Camp, March, 2022

“Tournas was a bit beneath the radar final yr heading into Nationwide Growth Camp in Buffalo over the summer time however his 4 objectives in 4 video games and dimension and ability mixture caught our consideration. This season he performed Connecticut Excessive Faculty hockey so this was fairly a leap in competitors for Tournas however to his credit score he rose to the problem.”

“He’s 6’1” and 181lbs, he has an extended and fluid stride, handles the puck properly on the frenzy and may reduce inside on defenders. He confirmed poise with the puck and a slick toe drag and pull earlier than he shoots to vary the angle and he can do it at velocity. He scored a pleasant purpose with a slight pull and launch that snuck in 5-hole in opposition to U17’s and scored once more on a line rush on a deke and shoot play at velocity. He can catch passes on each his forehand and backhand and settle wobbling pucks displaying his puck contact. Tournas remains to be a bit inexperienced having not performed a lot excessive stage competitors hockey however he has all of the uncooked instruments you need in a tall, athletic, expert ahead with excessive potential.”

Youth & Excessive Faculty Hockey Statistics