WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University has placed 18 student-athletes on the 2013-14 Atlantic Hockey All-Academic team, the conference announced Monday. Last season's team captain Jared Rickord (Skokie, Ill./Springfield Jr. Blues) earned his fourth straight selection.

To qualify for the All-Academic team, the student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in each semester during the hockey season. The Falcons' 18 honorees are fourth most out of 12 teams.

Four Falcons made their third appearance on the All-Academic team; recent graduates Branden Komm (Williamsville, N.Y./Northfield Mount Hermon) and Justin Breton (Fitchburg, Mass./Boston Jr. Bruins), and rising seniors Alex Kubiak (Tinley Park, Ill./Chicago Steel) and Brett Switzer (Calgary, Alberta/Spruce Grove Saints), who have now received All-Academic honors in each of their first three seasons.

Earning their second All-Academic selections are recent graduates Brett Gensler (St. Charles, Mo./Youngstown Phantoms) and Zach Ledford (Folsom, Calif./Wichita Falls Wildcats), and rising juniors Andrew Gladiuk (White Rock, B.C./Nanaimo Clippers), Matt Blomquist (Blaine, Minn./Coulee Region Chill), Gabe Antoni (Lansdale, Pa./Springfield Jr. Blues) and Tyler Krause (Kelowna, B.C./Okotoks Oilers).

Seven Bentley players earned their first All-Academic recognition. Recent graduate Andrew Fitzstephens (Schoolcraft, Mich./Bay State Breakers), rising juniors Derek Bacon (Calgary, Alberta/Okotoks Oilers) and Kyle O'Brien (Tewksbury, Mass./Cushing Prep), and rising sophomores Mike Berry (Edmonton, Alberta/Sherwood Park Crusaders), Tyler Deresky (Flemington, N.J./Amarillo Bulls), Max French (West Kelowna, B.C./West Kelowna Warriors) and Will Suter (Omaha, Neb./Lincoln Stars).