AJ Bucchino

By John Hepokoski
UWRF Sports Information

Ever since AJ Bucchino started playing hockey at the age of six, the hockey puck had something to fear.

"My father was involved with hockey and I just grew up watching it," said Bucchino. "Hockey was in my nature, it was a family tradition."

Bucchino attended Tilton High School in New Hampshire where he helped his team capture two championships while being named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Bucchino went on to play juniors at Des Moines where he had a 3.52 goals against average and a .909 save percentage in his first season. Following one year of juniors, Bucchino moved on to play Div. I hockey at the University of New Hampshire. Bucchino went back to Des Moines in 2004 before deciding on coming to River Falls.

"I'll always remember a playoff game we had against Waterloo," Bucchino said. "That was probably the most intense hockey game I have ever played."

Falcon Head Coach Steve Freeman and Assistant Coach Bob Ritzer contacted Bucchino and River Falls was the next step.

"Div. III hockey is the best in the West and that made my decision easy to come to River Falls," said Bucchino. "The coaches were interested in getting me a lot of playing time which let me know that I wanted to be a Falcon."

Bucchino's best memory as a Falcon was the team's recent win over St. Norbert, 3-2. The Green Knights were ranked No. 1 in the country as the No. 6 ranked Falcons showed up and played extremely well, especially Bucchino. He made 36 saves - several came while the Falcons were skating short handed against a St. Norbert power play that entered the game converting on over 30 percent of their power play opportunities.

The goal for the season is to win a National Championship in Bucchino's eyes.

"I don't care about stats, all I am focusing on is wins and getting to the National Championship," said Bucchino.

In his first season with the Falcons, Bucchino went 10-5-3, had a 2.08 GAA and tallied a .938 saves percentage. He was named to both the All-NCHA and the All-WIAC teams.

"AJ is a tremendous leader on the ice for us," said Freeman. "He is strong in net and continues to be a dominating force."

So far this season, Bucchino has logged just over 665 minutes for the Falcons while appearing in all 12 games. His record is impressive at 10-2. Bucchino holds a 2/16 goals against average and a .932 save percentage.

In his spare time Bucchino likes going to the beach in the summer along with attending baseball games.

"I want to see where hockey can take me," said Bucchino of his plans following college. "I'll have my degree to back it up if hockey doesn't work out."