Frosh ‘Ghost’ busting Union foes this season (with video)

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ken Schott

Union freshman defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has a couple of nicknames — “Ghost” and “Ghostbuster” — because it’s easier to say than pronouncing his last name.

But Gostisbehere (pronounced Gost-is-bear) has been anything but invisible this season for the ECAC Hockey-leading and 11th-ranked Dutchmen.

Gostisbehere had the best game — and best weekend — of his college career last week, when Union beat Colgate, 3-1, Friday and tied Cornell, 4-4, Saturday. He had four assists in the Cornell game, tying a team Division I record for assists in an ECACH game. Gostisbehere also had an assist in the Colgate game, giving him a five-point weekend.

“Shayne Gostisbehere put himself on the map this weekend with a lot of people, and it was fun to watch,” said Union coach Rick Bennett. “He did not play like a freshman this weekend.”

Gostisbehere was named ECACH rookie of the week on Tuesday. He is tied for sixth in scoring by ECACH defensemen and fourth in freshman scoring in league play with one goal and 10 assists. In overall games, Gostisbehere has three goals and 13 assists. He’s tied for seventh in overall scoring and tied for eighth in freshman scoring.

“It was a pretty big confidence builder,” Gostisbehere said. “It felt good. The coaches told me to move my feet, and it helped a lot. I just have a lot of confidence right now.”

Gostisbehere is very responsible, defensively, and is rarely caught out of position. His plus/minus defensive rating of plus-10 is second among the Dutchmen defensemen, and is fifth best on the team overall.

Still, Gostisbehere loves to be involved on the offense.

“I am a defenseman, but I definitely like to jump up in the play,” said Gostisbehere. “I love playing offense. I’ve been known more for my offense my whole life than my defense.”

Gostisbehere grew up in Margate, Fla., near Miami. Even though it does have an NHL team in the Florida Panthers, who play in Sunrise, Fla., Margate isn’t exactly a hockey hotbed. Gostisbehere’s grandparents have been Panthers season-ticket holders since 1993, the first year of the franchise’s existence. Gostisbehere is a huge Panthers’ fan

“My sister was a very good figure skater, and I was always at the rink,” said Gostisbehere, who played prep school hockey at South Kent. “I was like, ‘Why not? I should play hockey.’ ”

As for his nicknames, Gostisbehere knows it’s easier for people to say “Ghost” or “Ghostbuster” than “Gost-is-bear”

“[Because of] my long last name that no one can pronounce too well, I get ‘Ghostbuster,’ ” Gostisbehere said. “Coach calls me ‘Ghost.’ So, I have a nickname for my nickname.”

Local update

Here’s a look at how college hockey players from the Capital Region did over the past week.

* Union freshman goalie Colin Stevens (Niskayuna) made 27 saves in last Friday’s 3-1 win over Colgate. Stevens had 19 stops in a 4-4 tie against Cornell the next night.

* Alber had two assists in the Eagles’ 7-1 rout of Northeastern in Monday’s first round of the Beanpot. BC will face top-ranked Boston University in Monday’s championship game.

* New Hampshire senior forward Mike Borisenok (Watervliet) picked up an assist in last Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win over Providence.

Two ECACH finalists

Two ECACH players are among the top five finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award. They are Colgate defenseman Kevin McNamara and Yale forward Aleca Hughes.

The other finalists are Saint Anselm forward Tucker Mullin, Miami (Ohio) goalie Cody Reichard and Norwich defenseman Shawn Baker.