April 5, 2009
Audio Recap
LOWELL, Mass. (Apr. 5, 2009) – Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alta.) was named the UMass Lowell Hockey most valuable player, and David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) was named the rookie of the year at the team’s annual awards banquet on Sunday afternoon.
Edwards was second on the team in scoring with 29 points on 11 goals and 18 assists. He led Hockey East in defense scoring in Hockey East games, and was third among league blue liners in all games. Edwards led the River Hawks in power play points (15) and tied for the team-lead in power play goals (7).
In addition to being named team MVP, Edwards was also named a Hockey East First Team All-Star and to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. The sophomore defenseman was also picked for the New England Division I Men’s Hockey All-Star team.
Vallorani made an immediate impact on the River Hawks totaling six points (1 goal, 5 assists) in his first six collegiate games. His productivity continued as he led UML rookies in points (27), goals (9) and assists (18). Vallorani ranked third among Hockey East rookies in scoring.
The freshman center was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Month for October and voted to the league’s All-Rookie Team in March.
Also recognized at the banquet were Scott Campbell (Navan, Ont.), Jeremy Dehner (Madison, Wis.), Nick Schaus (Buffalo, N.Y.), Nick Monroe (Groton, Mass.), Mark Roebothan (St. John’s, Nfld.), Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.), Michael Budd (Burlington, Ont.) and Kory Falite (Billerica, Mass.).
Campbell was the recipient of the G. Harvey Chandler Award as the team’s leading scorer. The sophomore center totaled 10 points over the final six games, including four multi-point games during that span. He tied for the Hockey East playoff scoring lead with six points and was named to the league’s All-Tournament team. Overall, Campbell had 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists.
Dehner and Schaus were the co-winners of the team’s Best Defensive Player award. It’s the third straight selection for Dehner and first for Schaus.
The two defensemen combined to form one of the best defensive pairings in Hockey East. They played a key role in the squad’s penalty kill that led Hockey East and the defensive unit that finished third in the league in goals against per game (2.3/game).
Dehner and Schaus had career years offensively each ranking in the top-10 in Hockey East in defense scoring. Dehner was fourth in the league with 26 points on three goals and 23 assists. Schaus was eighth among league blue liners with 22 points on five goals and 17 assists.
Monroe was named the Unsung Hero. Monroe had a career-best 10 points on three goals and seven assists in 38 games as a senior. A relentless forechecker and penalty killer, he led the team with three shorthanded points. Roebothan received the “Gus” Coutu Award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the UML hockey program.
Roebothan had a positive impact on the River Hawks through his leadership and through his determined, gritty play. UML was 20-11-2 with Roebothan, a senior captain, in the lineup and 5-0-1 when he scored a goal. He scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half, when the River Hawks played their best hockey.
The Coaches’ Perseverance Award went to Ferreira, who was scheduled to join the UML program in 2007-08 but had his arrive delayed due to a brain tumor. Ferreira had a solid rookie season playing in all situations for the River Hawks. He totaled seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in 29 games. He killed penalties, saw time on the power play and played with grit and determination every shift.
Budd was named the team’s Most Improved Player. The freshman winger played in 30 games and was second among UML rookies with 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists). By mid-November he was a regular in the lineup and as the season progressed his role increased. He saw time on the power play totaling four power play points (1 goal, 3 assists).
For the second straight year Falite was named the winner of the UMLhockey.com award. The award is given annually to the player who receives the most votes for his contributions during UML home games. Falite had 22 points on 14 goals and eight assists in 31 games. Falite tied for the team lead in goals and power play goals (7).
The 2009 Marc Connelly Award went to Mike Kuenzler, Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee. Kuenzler has been instrumental in the selling of club seats as the River Hawks have seen in an increase in attendance the last two seasons.
The River Hawks went 20-16-2 overall in 2008-09 and 14-11-2 in Hockey East play. They finished fifth in the Hockey East standings with 30 points.
The River Hawks swept Vermont in the Hockey East Quarterfinals to reach the tournament semifinals for the first time since 2002. UMass Lowell played in the Hockey East championship game for the second time in program history in 2009.
