1994-95 Princeton Men's Ice Hockey Banquet
 
Hobart A.H. Baker Trophy (Top Rookie): Casson Masters '98, Matt Brush '98
 
1941 Championship Award (Championship Spirit): Ian Sharp '95
 
Vaughan Cup (Perserverence & Dedication): Ethan Early '95, Mervin
Kopeck '95, Corey Rhodes '95
 
Blackwell Memorial Trophy (MVP): Ian Sharp '95, James Konte '96
 
Friends Award (Exceptional Dedication): Don Cahoon
 
WTTM Three Star Player of the Year: James Konte '96
 
 
In addition to the above awards, players received superlative awards
for hat tricks (Ethan Early), SH goals (Early 4, Ian Sharp, J.P. O'Connor),
shutouts (Erasmo Saltarelli & James Konte).
 
Other acknowledged honors:
 
Ian Sharp; ECAC Best Defensive Forward
Brent Flahr; MVP of Dexter Classic
J.P. O'Connor, James Konte; Dexter Classic All-Tournament Team
Jonathan Kelley; ECAC All-Tournament Team
Ian Sharp, 2nd Team All-Ivy League
Ethan Early, HM All-Ivy League
Casson Masters, ECAC All-Rookie team
Ethan Early, ECAC Player of the Week 2/6/95
Brent Flahr, ECAC Player of the Week 12/26/94
Matt Brush, ECAC Rookie of the Week, 12/5/94 & 3/13/95
Casson Masters, ECAC Rookie of the Week, 11/7/94
Erasmo Saltarelli, ECAC Rookie of the Week, 12/19/94
J.P. O'Connor, ECAC Player of the Week 12/19/94
Don Cahoon, Finalist for ACHA Coach of the Year
 
Comments:
 
An unusual banquet, to say the least ... The banquet unofficially
commenced during dinner, when hockey booster Rick Williams presented
some special gifts to the coaching staff - including 'training shoes'
for assistant coach John Hamre with butter already attached. Right
on cue, sophomore Keith O'Brien managed to deposit butter on BOTH
of Hamre's loafers while the coach was otherwise distracted by
senior Corey Rhodes. The 'shoe check' has been part of Princeton
tradition since '91-'92.
 
The assistant coaches opened the official proceedings with the
presentation of varsity letters and the superlative awards.
Friends of Princeton Hockey president Ken Scassera next presented
Friends-founder John Bernard '49 with a special award and gave
Cahoon the '94-'95 Friends Award. Cahoon presented former athletic
director Bob Myslick with Cahoon's ECAC Championship Watch in
recognition of Myslick's support (ironically, Myslick's first
choice for head coach was San Jose Sharks scout Tim Burke, but
the rest of the search committee overruled him).
 
The 'Major Awards' (MVP, etc.) were next - John Cook '63 got an
unintentional laugh while presenting rookie of the year when
he referred to Princeton's 'great power play' (last in the ECAC).
Hockey-L's own Adam Wodon, voice of the Tigers, presented the
WTTM Three Star Award to Konte.
 
Hamre wiped the butter off of his shoes long enough to show a
highlight video entitled 'The Road to Lake Placid,' the product
of his and Wodon's hard work.
 
Cahoon recognized each of the 7 seniors with a few words and the
presentation of an engraved silver pen set.
 
Corey Rhodes '96 ("Probably the last J.V. player to make the varsity,
since the J.V. program has been eliminated"). Plans to take a year off
to travel prior to applying to law school.
 
Gavin Colquhoun '96 ("When Gavin came to Princeton, he didn't play the
first couple of games because he couldn't handle the puck or skate well
enough. He still can't handle the puck or skate well enough, but he's
a heck of a player. A hard-nosed kid."). Will work for a Wall St.
investment bank next year.
 
Ethan Early '96 ("Effort. Effort. Effort. Ethan set the tone for the
season with his hard work"). Cahoon noted that Ethan had a 4.0
first semester and was nominated for Academic All-America. Will work
for a South Carolina law firm next year prior to attending law school.
 
Mervin Kopeck '96 ("If there were an award for being the second best
defensive forward in the league, than I know in my heart that Mervin
would have won it.") Hopes to sign a pro contract; if not, will work
with Early at a South Carolina law firm.
 
Scott Almon '96 ("Scott was a plus player each of the last two years,
and that tells you everything you need to know about him."). Will work
for a New York City law firm next year prior to attending law school.
 
David Scowby '96 ("From the middle of his sophomore year on, David was
always looking to help the younger guys ... There were weeks where he
would play defense, center and wing and he never complained.") Hopes to
teach physics and coach hockey at a New England prep school.
 
Ian Sharp '96 ("Ian doesn't shoot enough, but we all have our faults.
If he works hard to rehabilitate his knee, and I know he will, than
he has a chance to play at the next level. Once a professional coach
sees all the things that he can do, they'll learn to appreciate Ian
Sharp as we have.") Hopes to sign a pro contract after recovering from
the knee injury suffered in the ECAC semifinals.
 
Lastly, the players turned things over to Rhodes and Colquhoun for the
annual gag gifts and Kangaroo Court presentations. Among other things
too racy to mention here (and arguably too racy for a team banquet),
oft-injured David Scowby was given a pom-pom and binoculars in recognition
of his most valuable contributions to the team. Jonathan Kelley won
the "Rock Cup" for leading the team in Kangaroo Court fines for a third-
straight year, including a $1 fine for this exchange with coach Cahoon:
"Jonathan, how are classes?" "Great, coach. I just dropped one."
 
Geoff Howell
The Trenton Times
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