FAIRFIELD, Conn. – With outstanding play all season between the pipes, the Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team placed both Ajeet Gundarah and Teagan Kendrick on the 2025-26 Mike Richter Award "Watch List", announced by the Hockey Commissioners Association on Wednesday afternoon. 

Goalies qualified for this initial "Watch List" by meeting minimum goals against (2.40) and save percentage (.917) standards, while also appearing in 33% of the team's minutes. Other names may be added for consideration before the first formal vote.

Gundarah and Kendrick have helped backstop one of the best defenses in the country, as SHU ranks 17th nationally in scoring defense (2.45 gpg) and 14th in penalty-kill percentage (84.7%). The Pioneers join Dartmouth and Arizona State as the three teams to have multiple goaltenders on this year's watch list. 

Gundarah has appeared in 12 games during his sophomore campaign, posting a 6-5-1 record, a 2.39 goals-against average, and a .918 save percentage. He has led SHU to wins over #14/15 Ohio State and a sweep of RIT. Gundarah has made the Richter watch list in both of his collegiate seasons. 

Kendrick has caught fire of late, winning his last four starts to set his record this year at 5-2-1. He owns a 2.27 goals against average and a .926 save percentage, both of which rank third in the AHA. Kendrick's shutout of RIT at the Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland, clinched a third-place finish for SHU at the prestigious event. 

Sacred Heart is home this weekend for a high-profile series between two of the hottest teams in the AHA. SHU will meet the Falcons first on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. before closing things out the following evening at 6 p.m.