Men's Ice Hockey | 2/1/2018 1:32:00 PM

ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's ice hockey team retired the jersey of 2011 alum Ryan Zapolski during Thursday's press conference and celebration of his selection to the United States Olympic Team. Zapolski wore the No. 35 during his time as a Laker.

Zapolski represents one of the 23 men's ice hockey players selected to Team USA at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February. The PyeongChang Games mark his first Olympic appearance.
 
Of the 23 athletes selected to the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, all but three skated collegiately at 13 different institutions.
 
Zapolski played for Mercyhurst from 2007-11. During his time as a Laker, he was named to the 2008-09 All-Atlantic Hockey Association Second Team and the 2009-10 All-AHA Third Team. Zapolski appeared in 109 games for the Lakers, putting up a season-best goals-against average of 2.22 and save percentage of .934 during his sophomore year.
 
He is currently a member of Jokerit of the Kontinental Hockey League. So far, this season, he has a 23-11-4 record in 38 games while compiling a 1.73 GAA and .932 save percentage.

Zapolski is now the second Mercyhurst men's ice hockey player to have his jersey retired; the other is Scott Burfoot '92, who wore No. 17 from 1988 until 1992.