skip navigation

Wildcats Add Elite Goalie: Anthony Ciurro

By UA Hockey, 05/10/17, 1:15PM MDT

Share

The Wildcats have added their second -- and final goaltender to their 2017-18 recruiting -- class with the addition of elite goaltender: Anthony Ciurro.

Anthony Ciurro, from Peoria, Arizona, comes to the Wildcats after a very impressive junior hockey career with the Victoria Cougars of the VIJHL (Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League). During his stellar 3 year career with the Cougars, Ciurro was awarded with an impressive amount of accolades, including:

  • 2014-15:
    • VIJHL Best Goals Against Average (1.51)
    • VIJHL Best Save Percentage (.934)
    • VIJHL Top Goaltender
  • 2015-16:
    • VIJHL Best Goal Against Average (1.70)
    • VIJHL Best Save Percentage (.929)
    • VIJHL Championship
  • 2016-17:
    • VIJHL Best Save Percentage (.917)

“I feel very fortunate to be joining the Wildcat hockey program and to be pursuing my education at the University of Arizona,” Said Anthony Ciurro. “U of A meets all my academic and hockey needs. I was contacted by several other schools and after talking with Coach Berman it was obvious that my best fit was U of A. Coach Berman and his coaching staff have created a great hockey program. I am looking forward to being a part of this hockey organization and the U of A community.”

The Victoria Cougars benefited gloriously from their top goaltender by making it to the playoff finals all three seasons; winning it all in 2016. His last game as a Cougar will go down in the record books as one of the greatest goalie performances in VIHL Playoff history. The Cougars extended their playoff run all the way to game 7 of the championship game, only to lose in quadruple overtime against the Campbell River Storm. The Storm out-shot the Cougars 85-50, as the two teams refused to quit. Shots in overtime were 44-19 in favor of the Storm. 

“That was an unbelievable performance,” said coach Berman. “The thing that I love the most about Anthony is that he is ultra-competitive. You don’t have to look any further than the tape to see that. He absolutely hates to lose, and I want more of that in our room. I watched every game of his playoff run – not because he required further evaluation – because he is so easy to root for. He lays it all on the line when he steps on the ice. That kind of competitive fire rubs off on the rest of your teammates and it makes guys want to go the ‘extra mile’ to: block shots, execute back checks, pick up back door sticks etc. We are very fortunate to add a player of his abilities - everything about Anthony is of championship quality; on and off the ice.”

The addition of Ciurro completes the goaltending class for the 2017-18 season; as the Wildcats have added to an already impressive group consisting of: senior goaltender Austin Wilson and incoming freshmen Nolan Bivolcic.

Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Wildcats as the recruiting process rolls on!

Season Team League Games Played Goals Against Avg. Save %
2014-15 Victoria Cougars VIJHL 19 1.51 .934
2015-16 Victoria Cougars VIJHL 31 1.70 .929
2016-17 Victoria Cougars VIJHL 29 2.48 .917