LOWELL, Mass. – Play at both ends of the ice was reflected as senior defenseman Zack Kamrass (Atlan­ta, Ga.) and freshman forward C.J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) were named recipients of the UMass Lowell Hockey Most Valuable Player Award.
 
Statistically, Kamrass had a career year netting eight goals and 23 points, he was a plus-10. The team captain, Kamrass, a transition defenseman, led by example on and off the ice. His impact may never have been more apparent than in the decisive third Hockey East Quarterfinal match against Notre Dame when he scored twice in the River Hawks 6-4 win which ended the Irish season. He was also honored as the team's Best Defensive Player.
 
Smith led the River Hawks in scoring with 16 goals and 35 points earning the G. Harvey Chandler Award presented annually to the team's leading scorer in addition to the MVP award. He was one of just a handful of freshman to lead their team in scoring. The freshman with an explosive shot and quick release was an integral part of a team that saw its offensive output increase by more than a half a goal per game during the 2014-15 season. Smith had two game winning goals and assisted on six others. Smith, who earned a spot on Hockey East's All-Rookie Team was also named the River Hawks Rookie of the Year.
 
It is the first time since the inception of the MVP award following the 1979-80 season that it has been shared.
 
Sophomore defenseman Dylan Zink (Madison, Wis.) was honored as the team's Most Improved Player. That growth was most dramatically reflected in his offensive numbers. After scoring just one assist during his freshman season, Zink scored ten goals and 26 points. He was the first UMass Lowell defenseman to reach double digits in goals since Maury Edwards had 11 in 2009.

The Coaches' Perseverance Award went to junior goalie Kevin Boyle (Manalapan, N.J.) who won the starting nod after a red shirt year of hard work as a transfer student. Boyle had a 2.42 GAA and a .915 save per­centage. He had three shutouts and picked up his first three post season wins while backstopping the River Hawks to their third straight Hockey East Championship appearance.
 
Senior defenseman Jake Suter (Lac du Flambeau, Wis) was named the winner of the Unsung Hero Award. Suter has been a steady contributor to a program that has earned home ice in the Hockey East Tournament four straight years. He has played in 153 games during his career, the most by a UMass Lowell defenseman. Reflecting his gritty team-first approach, he has consistently led the team in blocked shots. He was a plus-44 during his collegiate career. During his senior season this stay-at-home defensemen contributed one goal and 12 points to what was the highest scoring defense corps in Hockey East. Part of the team leadership, Suter wore the "A" on his sweater and acts as a mentor on and off the ice. During the season he made a point of eating team meals with a different freshman each day.
 
Junior forward A.J. White (Dearborn, Mich.) was recognized for various contributions as the recipient of the Gus Coutu Award given annually to the most spirited player.
Graduate student Ben Bransfield (Newburyport, Mass.) took home the Mark Connelly Award given annually to the non-player who made a significant impact on the hockey program. Bransfield, in his fifth year with the program, assists in all areas of team services and video.
 
Kamrass, Suter and Terrence Wallin were part of the winningest senior class in UMass Lowell hockey history. The River Hawks won 99 games during their four years.