When you think of the greatest players in a team's history, usually you think of players in the past that have already completed their careers. However, this may not be the case for Melissa Piacentini, a senior on the Syracuse women's ice hockey team.
Piacentini is just one assist shy of owning every single offensive record in the history of the program. She leads by a large margin in overall points, goals, and plus/minus, while being tied in all-time assists at 57. With four games left in the regular season, and a potential playoff run, there is a good chance Piacentini will achieve the feat.
So can she be called the best Syracuse hockey player of all-time? For now, yes.
Even though the program has only been around since 2008, it doesn't take away form her accomplishments. She is the first player to hit the 100-point mark in career points. Left and right she has been setting milestones and has established herself as one of the best players in the CHA.
There may be an argument that I'm only looking at the offensive side of things and that a lot of impact players, like goalies, are not being accounted for. But when you hold the amount of records she does, and if you look back on the careers of each Syracuse player, she has made by far the most impact.
So for now, Melissa Piacentini is the best player to put on a Syracuse jersey. But, how long can she hold the position? No record can stand the test of time and as this program evolves, it could see even better talent come through it's doors. I don't think Piacentini will hold every offensive record for long. Players like Stephanie Grossi are already nipping at her heels in categories like assists and will most likely pass her by the end of their collegiate playing days.
But it will be a while before the women's hockey team has another skater like Piacentini.