WINTHROP, Mass. – Nov. 1, 2022 – Former All-American and Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year Joseph Duszak of Mercyhurst University is this week's inductee into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor.
In addition to the All-America AHA Player of the Year honors, the Mercyhurst blueliner was a two-time All-Atlantic Hockey honoree and the conference's Best Defenseman in 2018-19 during his Laker career and ranks No. 3 on Atlantic Hockey's career goals by a defenseman list despite playing only three seasons in the AHA. As a junior in 2018-19, Duszak set AHA single-season records for most goals (16) and points (47) and goals in AHA play (15) by defenseman.
"I had a great time at Mercyhurst," Duszak said. "Rick Gotkin and Bobby Ferraristook a chance on me. I'll always be grateful for that. They helped me shape my career and take that step to go pro. What I'll always remember is just hanging out with my best friends. For 10 months, you're 24-7 with a great group of guys. Lots of memories at the rink, but away from the rink, too."
The Franklin Square, N.Y., native debuted with the Lakers in 2016-17 and finished as MU's No. 4 scorer and second-leading scorer among defensemen with 21 points on five goals and 21 assists as the Lakers reached the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Hockey Postseason. His 21 points ranked sixth among all AHA blueliners that season.
Duszak's sophomore campaign in 2017-18 saw the Lakers start 7-9-2 in Atlantic Hockey play prior to the holiday break. But Mercyhurst stormed to a 12-2-2 record as the calendar turned to 2018 to clinch the AHA regular season crown. Duszak finished the season with a 9g-22/31p line to lead the conference in defenseman scoring. The effort earned Duszak the first of his two All-Atlantic Hockey selections.
As a junior, Duszak produced one of the top scoring seasons by an Atlantic Hockey defender in conference history. He posted career highs in goals (16), assists (31) and points (47) to lead the Lakers and Atlantic Hockey in scoring. His 27g-19a/34p line in conference play led all defensemen and was second overall to scoring champion Blake Christensen of AIC. In addition to his full-season goal and point totals and AHA play goal total standing as AHA defenseman records. His 31 assists rank No. 6 on the defenseman single-season assist chart.
The performance not only earned Duszak a second All-Atlantic Hockey nod and AHA Best Defenseman accolades but also AHA Player of the Year honors.
Following that season. Duszak began his professional career after signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finished his Mercyhurst career with 99 points on 30 goals and 69 assists in 101 games.
"We saw him grow a lot at Mercyhurst," Lakers head coach Rick Gotkin said. "Joe came in and put the time and the work in. Joe had unbelievable offensive skills and had the green light to move the puck and get involved in the offense."
After signing with the Maple Leafs, Duszak spent three seasons with Toronto's AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, before moving to Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League this season.
Atlantic Hockey 20th Season
The Atlantic Hockey Association is celebrating its 20th season of competition in 2022-23 with the recognition of the top 20 players from the conference's first two decades. This distinguished group will also comprise the first class of inductees into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor. The honorees will be revealed weekly during the 2022-23 regular season with the final player revealed on Feb. 21.
