Three seasons ago, the Robert Morris University Division I club ice hockey team was looking for a goalie.

And the Colonials found one in Jonathan Hoffmann.

The 2003 Seneca Valley graduate took over the starting job at the beginning of his freshman season and has never given it up.

Hoffmann recently wrapped up his junior season after leading RMU to its first Eastern Collegiate Hockey League title and first Division I national tournament, where the team went 1-1 and finished 15th in the entire nation.

His statistics included a record of 18-5-3, a 2.34 goals-against-average and a 93 percent save percentage, which earned him All-American honors.

"That save percentage led the nation," said Colonials' coach Jason Evans. "We win games with Jon, it's that simple."

"The mental game is a key of being a goalie in this sport," said Hoffmann, 22. "This past season, I was focused going into every game."

Hoffmann's play impressed his coaches and teammates enough that he received two awards by season's end.

"He won Team MVP, which is voted on by the coaches and he won the Player's Player Award, voted on by the players," said Evans. "So, that speaks to how important he was to the team."

"I was surprised I was chosen for both awards," said Hoffmann. "There were a lot of guys who I felt were worthy, but it's a great honor."

Hoffmann started in net for Seneca Valley's varsity team in his sophomore and junior campaigns before playing for the Pittsburgh Junior B Penguins during his senior year.

For the 2003-04 season, Hoffmann joined the Twin City Saber Cats in Fitchburg, MA, and then joined RMU's squad for the 2004-05 season.

"Playing in the junior leagues helped me tremendously," Hoffmann said. "I wanted to start playing against better competition, against players at a higher skill level."

That higher level of play undoubtedly helped Hoffmann's performance once he joined the Colonials.

"When he arrived, we were just two years removed from winning a Division III national title," said Evans. "And the goalie on that championship team had graduated.

"Jon came in with the right mindset," he added. "He went in and did the things that he does well and he never asked for anything. He's a great kid, a great athlete and a great teammate."

Hoffmann has also passed along his goal-tending knowledge to younger players.

Three years ago, he and RMU goal-tending coach Sean Moloney started the Building Blocks Goaltending program, which helps goalies ages 6-18 strengthen their skills.

"Our camps take place during the summer at two separate BladeRunners, the one in Warrendale and the one in Bethel Park," Hoffmann said. "We modify each drill so that each player gets the most out of it. The kids who have taken part have been great and we're happy with what we've been able to do with that."

As for his playing career, Hoffmann is looking forward to his senior campaign with the Colonials.

And the Colonials are looking forward to having him one more season.

"We're putting a lot of eggs in next year's basket, with Jon in net," said Evans.

"I hope we can continue what we started this year, and hopefully get a higher seed (in the national playoffs) next season," Hoffmann said. "Individually, I just want to stay consistent."

Ice hockey may become a part of Hoffmann's long-term future as well.

"I've been told there's a few free agent camps I could attend," he said. "Or, with my major being sports management, I could end up with a job in sports that way.

"It's going to depend on the way next season progresses."