For Immediate Release
Contact Dave Geringer, Sports Information Director, (508) 990-9651  [log in to unmask]
Wednesday, April 16, 2008					

TYLER CROCKER WINS J. THOM LAWLER AWARD

BOSTON, MA-For the second time in three seasons, a member of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's hockey team has been to receive a prestigious award.

Senior defenseman Tyler Crocker (Wakefield, MA/Wakefield HS) has been named the recipient of the annual J. Thom Lawler Award,  which is presented to an NCAA Division II or III hockey player in New England each season. Senior forward Eric Frank (Waltham, MA/Traverse City Enforcers) of the Corsairs won the award in 2006.
The award is presented in memory of the late J. Thom Lawler, who served as Head Coach and Director of Athletics at Merrimack College and led Merrimack to the NCAA Division II championship in 1978. The Eastern Massachusetts Hockey Officials’ Association presents it, and Crocker will receive the award tonight at the New England Hockey Writers’ Association’s annual dinner.
“The Eastern Mass Hockey Officials Association presents the J Thom Lawler Award annually to a hockey player from New England that has shown that he is a true leader to his team and his school,” said Frank Keough of the association. “The player is one that the team and coaching staff cannot succeed without. The player typically possesses a strong desire to lead the team by example. The player does not necessarily need to be an all-star or leading scorer.”
"It is a tremendous honor for Tyler Crocker and UMass Dartmouth hockey to receive the J. Thom Lawler Award,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach John Rolli. “The Eastern Massachusetts Hockey Officials Association has selected Tyler for his leadership traits and championship accomplishments.  He has been an outstanding captain this season, and an outstanding player throughout his career."

Crocker helped lead the Corsairs to their third consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference Northeast championship and NCAA Division III Championships appearance this season. 

UMASS DARTMOUTH HOCKEY