Anastasio is an '01 from North Babylon, NY, and after joining the 87's in the beginning of November, he provided an instant spark to the team's lineup. Overall, in 33 total Eastern Hockey League (EHL) games to date, Anastasio has delivered 17 goals and 22 assists.

As for Winslow, the '01 native of Jacksonville, FL arrived in New Jersey a month after Anastasio, and through 26 games of his own, he has registered 13 total points.

“They’re both great young men and it’s been a pleasure to have them join our program," said 87's head coach and general manager Adam Houli. "For both to go to Coach [Brian] Dickinson and the Brockport team, they’re getting two phenomenal hockey players and two phenomenal human beings. To be honest, it’s a really good match for them because Coach Dickinson has done a great job there and he’s getting two impact players right now."

Overall, Anastasio and Winslow are the 7th and 8th respective EHL players to choose Brockport so far this season, joining a class that includes nine skaters from throughout the league.

Anastasio spoke about committing to Brockport and what the accomplishment means to him.

“It feels really good overall, honestly, I’m still kind of soaking it in," said Anastasio. "Since the first time I talked to Coach Dickinson, I had a good connection with him and going up to see the school and everything, it just really felt like a good fit. I gelled a little bit with some of the guys on the team and I’m real excited to head there next year."

Winslow went out to talk about the accomplishment from his perspective.

“It’s awesome, I’ve played hockey my whole life working to play NCAA hockey, and it’s finally there so it feels really good,” said Winslow.

Prior to joining the 87’s, Anastasio and Winslow started the 2021-22 season with the Twin City Thunder of the NCDC and were roommates. After Anastasio joined the 87’s, Winslow said he was convinced to reunite with him in New Jersey.

“It’s honestly been great in the new environment,” added Winslow. “He’s just been a positive guy, fun to be around, easy to chat with and it’s been nice living with him too. I mean, sometimes he beats me in NHL '22 too much, but it happens.” 

For Anastasio, having a familiar face on the team meant even better results on the ice.  

“It’s really special, we’ve grown really close over the year, and even had some nice chemistry together, especially on the power-play, that we’ve been working on together throughout the season," added Anastasio. "But it’s gone really smoothly and we just became really close as friends, and off the ice as well."

Shortly after joining the 87’s, Anastasio went on a 10-game point streak and helped jumpstart an offense that was struggling early in the year, turning an eight-game losing streak into a 15-game winning streak. He spoke about his time in New Jersey and how his offensive production surged with the team.

“Coach Houli and the 87’s have really given me the opportunity to get better, I get plenty of work on the ice day in and day out," he said. "The way my line has clicked since we were put together, it’s really helped me excel overall as a player in all aspects of the game." 

Though Winslow’s offensive numbers are not as flashy as Anastasio’s, the sturdy veteran quickly established himself as one of the top two-way defensemen on the team. He credited the coaching staff for preparing him for the collegiate level. 

“Coach Houli has been really great with me, working on the specifics of my game," he said. "A lot of things that he’s helped me with are things like staying between the dots, making sure you’re always supporting your defense partner, being behind him a lot more, working hard to get back and just these little things that have helped me so much in my growth as a hockey player."

Houli spoke about their development with the team and why they became important players for the team in the regular season and the current postseason. 

“They came here, we cared about them and we knew what we could get out of them and wanted to work with them, and I think they felt that,” added Houli. “They felt confident in their game finally and they had a staff that was willing to work with them and give them every opportunity, and then you could see what they can each be as a player. That’s been the fun part from our side is to continue to develop them and get them to the level that they’re going to be ready to play at Brockport this fall.”

Anastasio, Winslow, and the 87's are gearing up for the South Division Finals, which will kick-off on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Little Flyers.

Learn more about the 87's on the team's official website, and check out the full 2021-22 NCAA commitment list.