EAST MEADOW, N.Y. - Freshman forward Dylan Kinch of the Long Island University men's ice hockey team was named NCAA Division I Independent Hockey Rookie of the Month, the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) announced. Senior forward Brett Rylance earned the honorable mention nod for the player of the month award and sophomore goaltender Daniel Duris earned the honorable mention nod for goalie of the month.

In his first seven collegiate games, Kinch totaled eight points with four goals and four assists. He posted multi-point performances three times, recording two assists in a 6-1 win over Canisius College on Oct. 11 and two goals each on back-to-back nights in games versus the University of New Hampshire and Merrimack College on Oct. 24 and 25.Kinch currently leads the Sharks with six goals this season and is tied with Rylance with a team high 11 points.

In October, Rylance also scored four goals with four assists, posting an eight-point month. Duris posted a .920 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average in the season's first month.

The Sharks return to action on Friday, Nov. 14, in the first game of a weekend pair at the University of Minnesota. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m.