by Warren Kozireski
Rocky GruttadauriaFreshman Rocky Gruttadauria scored the first collegiate goal of his career as his Niagara University Purple Eagles tied Bowling Green 2-2 in their season opener.
The forward netted Niagara’s first goal of the season on a rebound 35 minutes into the contest to stake the Purple Eagles to a 1-0 lead. He finished his first college game with two shots on goal and plus-one.
Gruttadauria was Spencerport’s Most Improved Player in 2006-07 with former SUNY Brockport player Brian Fedele behind the bench and led the team in scoring in 2008-09 when he netted 13 goals and added 15 assists under former head coach and Rochester Americans Hall of Fame forward Craig Charron.
The 6’0”, 200 lb spent the next two seasons with the Buffalo Junior Sabres, who compete in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He scored seven goals and eight assists over 47 contests his first campaign in 2010-11 while netting 12 goals with 11 assists in 44 games last season.
The son of Cindy and Todd Gruttadauria and brother to Alexei, Dominic and Lea added one goal and four assists in eight playoff games last spring.
