Mercyhurst hockey players Matthew Zay, Ryan Misiak, Tyler Shiplo, Daniel Bahntge, Grant Gettinger, and Zac Frischmon have signed professional contracts, continuing their hockey careers.

Zay signed an amateur tryout contract with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Springfield Falcons. Misiak signed an amateur tryout contract with the East Coast Hockey League’s (ECHL) Reading Royals while Frischmon signed a standard player’s contract. Shiplo and Bahntge signed to the Gwinnett Gladiators. Gettinger signed as well, but for a three-game tryout contract with Southern Professional Hockey League’s Pensacola Ice Flyers.

Head coach Rick Gotkin said the Lakers have players every year who are able to sign professional contracts.

“They’ve worked hard and have a great opportunity to start their professional career and I’m sure they are going to do very well,” Gotkin said.

Zay led the team in scoring his junior year, and served as the Lakers team captain this season. During his sophomore year he was named to the Atlantic Hockey Conference (AHC) Third Team and was named to the First Team as a junior.

Zay became the first of four players this year to capture 100 career points, making him the 17th player in program history to do so. He captured his 100th point against Merrimack on Oct. 24, at the Mercyhurst Ice Center, with a goal that sent the game into overtime.

He ended his college hockey career with 47 goals and 81 assists.

Misiak was an assistant captain this season. He switched from forward to defense as well, and was named to the AHC Second Team. During his sophomore year he was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association Second Team.

He became the second player this year to capture 100 career points, making him the 18th player in program history to do so.

Misiak ended his college hockey career with 45 goals and 74 assists for 119 points, which tying him with Mercyhurst Alumni Daniel O’Donoghue.

Shiplo was also an assistant captain this season. The AHC named him to the All-Rookie Team during his freshman year.

He ended his college career with 17 goals and 50 assists.

Bahntge led the Lakers in scoring this season with 36 points, which was his career high. He was named to the AHC Third Team after earning All-Rookie Team honors during his freshman year as well.

He was the third player this year to reach 100 career points and the 19th in program history. His 100th point came through a goal scored during the second period of the game Dec. 13 at a home game against Robert Morris.

Bahntge ended his college hockey career with 52 goals and 75 assists.

Gettinger ended his college hockey career with three goals and 25 assists.

Frischmon scored the game winning goal in overtime of the AHC semifinals game on Friday, March 20, against top-seeded Robert Morris.

Frischmon ended his college hockey career with 21 goals and 35 assists.