GLOUCESTER, Mass. – The best of the best in NCAA Division III men's hockey have been unveiled, as head coaches across the nation announced the 2025–26 CCM Hockey/AHCA All-America teams on Thursday and Saint Mary's is right in the spotlight.
For the first time since 2014-15, the Saint Mary's men's hockey team has an All-American, and this time, they didn't stop at one. The Cardinals are celebrating two First Team All-Americans in the West Region, marking a historic moment for the program.
It's the first time since the 1996-97 season that two Saint Mary's players have earned this elite honor and just the second time ever. Sophomore Joona Juntunen (Hyvinkää, Finland / Rice Memorial) and junior Cole Mickel (Castle Rock, Colo. / Culver Military Academy) etched their names into program history, joining Brad Mattson and Matthew Montgomery (1988-89) as the only Cardinal duos to accomplish the feat.
Juntunen delivered a season to remember, emerging as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the nation. At one point leading all of Division III in both goals and points per game, he was named Offensive Player of the Year in the MIAC, making his second straight postseason honor after earning honorable mention last season. The sophomore played in all 26 games, racking up 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points, averaging an eye-popping 1.77 points per game, second-best in the country.
He dominated on special teams with 11 power-play goals and came through in the clutch with three game-winners. His 21 goals led the conference by a comfortable margin, while his 25 assists tied for the top spot, alongside his teammate.
That teammate, Mickel, was just as impactful from the blue line. The junior defenseman turned in a standout two-way season, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in the conference. He tallied three goals and matched Juntunen with a conference-best 25 assists, all while anchoring the Cardinals defensively with 26 blocked shots.
Mickel's stellar play also earned him a shot at the next level, signing a professional contract with the Knoxville Bears of the SPHL.
When Juntunen and Mickel were on the ice together, Saint Mary's thrived.
Behind their leadership, the Cardinals put together a strong 14-10-2 overall record, including a 10-5-1 mark in conference play, securing the No. 3 seed in the MIAC playoffs.
