April 2, 2009
Media Contact: Jon Litchfield (617) 373-3643

The New England Hockey Writers All-Star teams and awards for Men’s Division I have been released. The annual awards banquet will be held on Monday, April 13 at the Prince Restaurant in Saugus, Mass. The All-Star teams and special award winners will be presented. Coaches, student-athletes, family members and friends should plan on attending this function. Contact John Gruppo at (617) 373-7409 for information on attending this event. Cost is $30 per person.

Northeastern University goaltender Brad Thiessen was named New England MVP and NU coach Greg Cronin was named Coach of the Year. Thiessen was in goal for every minute as Northeastern went 25-12-4, finished second in the Hockey East regular season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994. NU’s Joe Vitale was named Best Defensive Forward.

Boston University took home three awards – goaltender Kieran Millan was named Rookie of the Year, Colin Wilson was named Best Forward and Matt Gilroy was named Best Defenseman. The Terriers won Hockey East and will play in the NCAA Frozen Four starting April 9.

New England’s other Frozen Four participant – Vermont – was represented by Viktor Stålberg, who was named Most Improved Player. He went from a 10-13-23 scoring line in 2007-08 to a 24-21-45 scoring line this season.

Matt Vokes was named New England’s Unsung Hero after posting an 11-17-28 scoring line for the 5-23-5 Bears. Trinity’s John Dunham received the Parker/York Award for Contribution to New England hockey. He coached the Bantams for 33 years.