Men's Hockey | 1/17/2011 11:08:23 AM

Click here for official Vancouver Canucks release

ROCHESTER, NY - Former RIT standout defenseman Chris Tanev (Toronto, Ontario/), the 2010 Atlantic Hockey Association Rookie of the Year, made his National Hockey League debut with the Vancouver Canucks at Colorado on Jan. 18, 2011.  He became the first former RIT player to appear in an NHL contest.

Tanev played 12:49 over 22 shifts and was minus-1.  He made a key breakup of a Colorado 3-on-1 rush late in regulation that helped Vancouver get the game to overtime and secure an important point.  The Canucks fell to Colorado, 4-3 in overtime.

Tanev, who signed with Vancouver on May 30, 2010, foregoing his final three years of eligibilty, has played in 39 games with the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League this season.  He tallied a goal and eight assists for the Moose, and scored his first professional goal on November 13 against the Rochester Americans.

In 2009-10, Tanev enjoyed a tremendous season for the Tigers, helping lead the squad to its first trip to the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the Frozen Four.  Tanev played in all 41 games and recorded 28 points on 10 goals and 18 assists.  He led the team and was among the national leaders with a plus-33 rating.  In addition to earning AHA Rookie of the Year honors, he earned All-AHA third team honors.  He was a three-time AHA Rookie of the Week and earned 2010 Atlantic Hockey Championship All-Tournament Team honors.

The Toronto, Ontario native helped lead RIT to the 2010 AHA regular season and postseason championship. The Tigers finished 22-5-1 in conference play and 28-12-1 overall. The 28 wins is a school record.  In addition the 22 wins and 45 points in conference play were AHA records.  Behind the play of Tanev, the Tiger defense allowed just 1.82 goals per game in AHA play, and were fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 2.20 goals per contest.  RIT set a school record by recording eight shutouts in 2009-10.

“We are really proud of everything that Chris accomplished at RIT and hope this is the start of a long and prosperous NHL career for him," said RIT Head Coach Wayne Wilson. “This is a great thrill for Chris and it is something he has worked his whole life for."

The 21-year old defenseman follows in the footsteps of Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades), who was the first Tiger to leave school early and sign a contract with the Washington Capitals in March, 2007.  Pinizzotto was called up to Washington on March 24, 2009, but did not dress.  He currently plays for the two-time defending Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears of the AHL.