Ajeet Gundarah Earned Preseason Player Of The Year
The junior goaltender at Sacred Heart looks to lead the Pioneers after a standout season in Atlantic Hockey America.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Hockey
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Sacred Heart University goalie Ajeet Gundarah has been named the Atlantic Hockey America preseason player of the year for the 2026-27 season. The 23-year-old enters the campaign after leading the conference in save percentage and goals-against average during the 2025-26 season.
Why it matters
Gundarah is using the sting of a 3-2 championship game loss to Bentley last March as fuel for his final collegiate season. He aims to secure a professional contract after proving his value as an undersized but highly capable goaltender.
Gundarah finished the 2025-26 season with 13 wins, 7 losses, and 1 tie across 22 appearances. The 6-foot, 185-pound goaltender previously secured the Michael Garteig Award as the top goalie in the British Columbia Hockey League during the 2023-24 season.
The players
Ajeet Gundarah
He is a 23-year-old junior goalie at Sacred Heart University who previously played in the British Columbia Hockey League.
Sacred Heart University
This is a private university in Fairfield that competes in the Atlantic Hockey America conference.
The details
Gundarah relies on his ability to read plays and anticipate action to compete with larger opponents on the ice. He remains motivated by his history of going undrafted and expects to cement his status as the best goaltender in the country this season.
Timeline
In 2023-24, Gundarah won the Michael Garteig Award in the BCHL.
On March 21, 2026, Sacred Heart lost the AHA championship game to Bentley.
In September 2026, Gundarah was named the AHA preseason player of the year.
In October 2026, Sacred Heart opened the 2026-27 season.
Season Trajectory
Gundarah's performance directly influences Sacred Heart's standing within the Atlantic Hockey America conference. His goal to turn professional adds high stakes to every game this season, shifting the team's reliance on his play to remain competitive for the championship.
Gundarah's save percentage and goals-against average metrics indicate he will remain the starter for the bulk of Sacred Heart's schedule. His performance in high-leverage games will be the primary factor in whether the team can return to the conference championship.
The takeaway
Gundarah demonstrates how overlooked athletes can leverage past setbacks into a competitive advantage. His focus on technical anticipation serves as a reminder that strategic skill can often bridge the gap against more physically imposing opponents.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by NHL.
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