ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley Men's Ice Hockey team had three skaters sign professional contracts following finishing up their careers with the Dutchmen this season. Darion Benchich signed a professional contract with the defending champion Binghamton Black Bears of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL), Mac Diver signed with the Motor City Rockets in the FPHL, and Haralds Jirgens is playing for HK Zemgale in his home country of Latvia.
 
Benchich, who skated in all 25 games for the Dutchmen this season, had 14 points on six goals and eight assists. He had a career game earlier this season with four points on two goals and two assists to lead LVC to a 5-3 win at King's College. The Dover, Pennsylvania native finished his career second in program history with 104 games played recording 62 points on 22 goals and 40 assists.
 
He becomes the Black Bears' first collegiate signee of the season and LVC's second in the past two years. Blake Tosto signed with the Black Bears last spring and helped lead the team to a FPHL title. Tosto started the season in Binghamton and before signing with the Pensacola Ice Flyers in the Southern Professional Hockey League in November. Benchich saw his first action for the Black Bears on Saturday March 1 against the Danville Dashers Hockey Club. He recorded his first point with the Black Bears on an assist and was a +2 on the ice in the 7-1 victory.
 
"Darion's plan from day one at LVC was to serve LVC Hockey as a Dutchmen for five years and then play Pro hockey," Head Coach Don Parson stated about Benchich. "Mission accomplished! Darion was the type of player that would play any role that helped the good of the team. Not only was he an offensive threat, but he also became one of our best and most exciting penalty killers. Darion's work ethic and positive attitude made him a leader in the locker room among his teammates and a fun young man to coach. I look forward to watching Darion play for his new team alongside a bunch of new brothers."
 
Diver, who skated in 24 games for the Dutchmen on defense, blocked 66 shots and had one point on one assist. He played in 90 games during his five seasons at The Valley recording seven points on one goal and five assists with 194 blocked shots. Diver joins former Dutchman T.J. Sneath '19 on the Rockets. Sneath is in his second season at Motor City and skated in 25 games before being placed on the injured reserved. Diver made his debut with the Rockets on Feb. 28 recording a point on an assist during a 6-3 defeat to the Columbus River Dragons. Diver also played in a 7-6 defeat to the River Dragons the following night.
 
"I will be honest, Mac was/is one of my most favorite players that I have had the opportunity to coach," Parsons stated about Diver. "There is nothing Mac wouldn't do to help the good of the team and wore his heart on his sleeve. Mac was an ultimate captain this year and received the utmost respect from his teammates and the entire coaching staff. Mac was a warrior on and off the ice always leading by example and never taking a shift off. I know that he aspires to become a hockey coach and have no doubt in my mind that he will climb the latter quickly. He leaves a big void to fill for our team for a lot of reasons."
 
Jirgens skated in all 10 games for the Dutchmen during the first half of the year before graduating in December. The defenseman then returned to Latvia where he was signed by Zemgale. Jirgens finished his career at LVC with 57 games played, 140 blocked shots, and 17 points on nine goals and eight assists during his three seasons. He scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 victory over Arcadia to begin his final weekend at The Valley. Jirgens has skated in 12 games for Zemgale recording two points on two assists.
 
"Haralds was one of the most fun young men that I have been fortunate to coach," Parsons had to say about Jirgens. "He mixed a lighthearted nature with a passion and dedication to the team. Haralds came to LVC as an offensive defenseman and left as one of the best defensive defensemen on the team. That proved obvious as we struggled after his departure. It's been fun to watch Jirgey via the internet and just spoke with him the other day. He is a proud father of a six-month-old baby boy and loving every minute of it. I will forever miss his "Hey Coach" and watching him converse with his teammates always with a smile on his face."
 
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