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Kopack commits to Curry College

By Anthony Di Paolo, 05/03/21, 9:00AM EDT

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Three-year EHL goaltender will play for Colonels this fall

The New Jersey 87's are proud to announce that Jon Kopack has committed to play Division III hockey at Curry College for the 2021-2022 season.

Kopack is a 20-year-old goaltender from Ramsey, New Jersey and played three seasons for the 87's EHL team. In the 2020-21 campaign, he posted a 13-0-2 record with a 2.17 goals against average, a .917 save percentage and two shutouts. Throughout his three seasons with the club, Kopack posted a 36-5-2 record, a 2.28 goals against average, a .913 save percentage and six shutouts.

Head coach Adam Houli spoke about Kopack's commitment and what the Ramsey native meant to the organization. "I am very happy to see him commit, he has worked extremely hard as an 87 and to see it pay off is such tremendous accomplishment," Houli said. "Jon has done everything we asked and beyond. He is a great player on and off the ice and he will be sorely missed, I can’t wait to see his college career unfold."

Curry College is a Division III program located in Milton, Massachusetts. Competing in the Commonwealth Coast Conference, the Colonels are led by head coach T.J. Manastersky.

Kopack discussed his commitment and what it means for him to join the Colonels in the fall of 2021. "It's extremely special to me. I've been working towards this goal of getting an NCAA commitment for the past three years. I couldn't have done it without the help and support of all my teammates, coaches and most importantly my family," Kopack said.

Throughout his tenure with the 87's, Kopack worked alongside goaltenders who also made the NCAA, including Dalton Jerzak (SUNY Fredonia) and Ian Graiff (Western New England). Entering the 2020-21 campaign as a three-year veteran, Kopack led the way as the 87's main starter between the pipes and went the entire season without a regulation loss. In the postseason, he helped the team win its first-ever playoff series in the EHL as well as getting to the Frozen Finals. He finished the postseason with a 5-1-0 record along with one shutout.

Upon finishing his age-out season, Kopack re-wrote the record book for 87's goaltenders with wins (36) and shutouts (6). He also joins Tim DeBord as the only two players who have served three seasons with the 87's EHL team.

Kopack reflected on his time with the 87's and how it helped him grow into the player he is today.

"The process the 87's have for developing players helped me on and off the ice. During my three years with the 87's, my game constantly developed and my confidence grew each day," Kopack said. "Being one of the three year veterans helped me develop into a leader and I became more mature as a player. I trusted the process of 'the 87 way' and it gave me the opportunity to continue on to the college level."

The 87's organization would like to congratulate Jon and his family as he gets ready to advance his hockey career to the Division III collegiate level.