April 7, 2008

Air Force Hockey Announces Team Awards

Matt Charbonneau Takes Two Major Awards; Goalie Andrew Volkening Named MVP

USAF ACADEMY, Colo.  - Senior Matt Charbonneau earned two major
awards and sophomore goaltender Andrew Volkening was named the team
MVP at the annual Air Force Hockey Awards Banquet, Sunday, April 6, at
the Garden of the Gods Club.

A defenseman from Stillwater, Minn., Charbonneau earned the
prestigious Vic Heyliger Award. This award, voted on by the team, is
the cornerstone of Air Force hockey. It is awarded to the player whose
dedication, character, leadership and work ethic exemplifies Falcon
hockey. Known as the "Father of Air Force Hockey", Heyliger came
to the Academy in 1966 to coach the Falcon club team. Charbonneau also
earned the Larry Cronk Award. This award, voted on by the team, is
presented to the player whose play on the ice inspired his team and
most typifies Falcon hockey. Cronk has been a part of Air Force hockey
since its inception in 1966.

An assistant captain this season, Charbonneau was named to the
all-tournament team at the AHA Final Five as he tallied three assists
in the win over RIT in the semifinals. He played more career games
than any other player on this year's team, taking the ice 138 times
in four years. His inspired and physical play made him a mainstay in
the lineup all four years. He had career-high 19 points his senior
year with four goals and 15 points.

Volkening, a sophomore from Genoa, Ill., won the Chuck Delich Award as
the team's most valuable player. This award, voted on by the team,
is named after the Falcons' all-time leading scorer and the No. 8
scorer in the history of NCAAhockey. Volkening was named to the AHA
all-tournament team for the second straight year. He was the
goaltender on the all-tournament team at the NCAA Northeast Regional,
becoming to first Falcon to ever earn that honor. He set new school
records for saves percentage and goals-against average and ranked 10th
in the nation, allowing just over two goals per game.

Freshman Derrick Burnett earned the John Matchefts Award as the
team's rookie of the year. This award, voted on by the team, is
named in honor of the Falcons' second coach. A member of the United
States Hockey Hall of Fame, Matchefts coached the Falcons for 11
seasons, leading Air Force to the second-most wins in school history
and a record of 154-150-6. Burnett scored 17 points in his last 18
games. He finished third in the league, and 31st in the nation, in
scoring by a rookie with 26 points in 39 games. He earned AHA Rookie
of the Week honors twice this season and scored AFA's first goal
vs. Miami in the NCAA Northeast Regional. 

Senior Frank Schiavone won the Jim Bowman Award.  The scholar-athlete
award is named after a man who has put his heart and soul into Air
Force athletics. As a coach and administrator since 1958, Bowman's
extensive experience was instrumental to the success of Falcon
athletics. Schiavone carries a 3.6 cumulative grade point average and
a 3.80 in his major of management. A finalist for the Lowe's Senior
Class Award, he is a two-time academic all-conference selection and
has been on the dean's list every semester. On the ice, he had a
career best five goals this season, including one in the win over
Mercyhurst in the AHA Championship game.

The team's most improved player award, voted on by the team, went
to junior right winger Brent Olson. Olson scored eight points last
season as a sophomore and exploded for 18 goals and 39 points this
year to lead the team in both categories this season. He was the MVP
of Atlantic Hockey Final Five as he scored five points in the two
games.

Junior Greg Flynn was named the team's Defenseman of the Year. This
award is presented to the defensive player who the coaching staff
feels was the team's most diligent defensive performer. Defensive
habits and skill with plus-minus ratio are factors used to select the
recipient. Flynn was one of the top offensive defenseman in the
nation, ranking fifth with 31 points in 39 games. A second-team
all-league selection, he became the first Falcon blueliner in 13 years
with 30 or more points.

--30--

Dave Toller
Sports Information Director
U.S. Air Force Academy
(719) 333-3478 (office)
(719) 200-2802 (cell)
(719) 333-3798 (fax)


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