The Ridge Meadows Flames are sending a third athlete to play hockey for Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.
Graduating goaltender Matthew Candusso has committed to backstop Drury for the 2026-2027 season. He was the Pacific Junior Hockey League goalie of the year last season, and was the team’s MVP in 2025.
Candusso has played for the Flames for three straight championship seasons – arguably the best three in team history. He appeared in 91 regular season games and has a record of 71 wins and 14 losses, with 11 shutouts, a 2.26 goals against average, and 0.92 save percentage. In 42 post-season games he added another 32 wins and 10 losses.
Candusso is the league’s first goalie to post 20 or more wins in three straight seasons.
He will join former teammates Lukas Ravenstein and Nolan Bowsher who played for Drury last season.
The American College Hockey Association is considered a high level of competitive hockey, featuring numerous graduated junior hockey players, and many ACHA players have gone on to play in the minor professional leagues such as the ECHL, or European hockey leagues.