Men’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporters Brianna Trachenberg, Nick Olsen, Ava Heaton and Zach Naffah preview the men’s ECAC Playoffs and what the Bobcats’ chances are at winning the Whitelaw Cup. They also discuss their Hobey Baker winners and what teams will make it to the Frozen Four in April.
Inside the ECAC: 2026 Men’s Ice Hockey Edition
March 6, 2026
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About the Contributors
Brianna Trachtenberg, Sports Paws Executive Producer and Volleyball, Men’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter
Brianna Tractenberg is a graduate student in the Sports Journalism Master’s Degree program from Methuen, Massachusetts. Last year, she served as Q30 President and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. She is excited to be a Sports Paws Executive Producer and Volleyball and Men’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter this year. In the past, she was a Sports Paws Associate Producer and has beat-reported the rugby and acrobatics and tumbling teams. She was also a Social Media Manager for QBSN and Vice President of Quinnipiac’s chapter of the Association of Women in Sports Media. You can find her on LinkedIn and X
Nick Olsen, Men’s Soccer, Men’s Ice Hockey and Baseball Beat Reporter
Nick Olsen is first year sports communications major from Long Island, New York. He is a Men’s Soccer, Men’s Ice Hockey and Baseball Beat Reporter. He was his high school’s sports reporter and also ran his own podcast about the New Jersey Devils, his favorite hockey team, and has met Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Martin Brodeur. He is also a New York Mets and New York Giants fan. You can find him on X.
Ava Heaton, Sports Paws Associate Producer and Men’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter
Ava Heaton is a second-year 3+1 Journalism major from Long Island, New York. She is an associate producer for Sports Paws and a Men’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter and has beat-reported lacrosse. Her favorite professional sports teams are the New York Rangers and the New York Yankees. You can find her on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.
Zach Naffah, Bobcat Breakdown Executive Producer and Men’s Soccer, Men’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter.
Zach Naffah is a graduate Sports Journalism student from Wells, Maine. He is in his second year as a Bobcat Breakdown Executive Producer after serving as an Associate Producer for the show. He is also a Men’s Soccer and Men’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter and has reported on the men’s ice hockey and softball teams. He is also a broadcaster and writer for QBSN. He is a big Boston sports fan and has been to 18/30 MLB ballparks. He likes Star Wars, Marvel and Disney movies. You can find him on LinkedIn and X