For Immediate Release
Contact Dave Geringer, Sports Information Director, (508) 990-9651 [log in to unmask]
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
ONCE AGAIN, THREE CORSAIRS FINALISTS FOR JOE CONCANNON AWARD
BOSTON, MA– For the second year in a row, three members of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s hockey team are among 15 semi-finalists for the seventh Joe Concannon Award, presented annually by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston to New England’s best American-born NCAA Division II or III hockey player.
Senior forward Kyle McCullough (Danvers, MA/Boston Jr. Blackhawks), who was a semi-finalist last season, along with junior forward Jeff Grant (Burlington, MA/Austin Prep) and sophomore goaltender Jeff Green (Medway, MA/Valley Jr. Warriors) were named as semi-finalists for the award. It marks the second time that three semi-finalists from one team have ever been chosen. Last year was the first time, and three Corsairs were nominated: McCullough, forward Eric Frank and goaltender Jon Dryjowicz-Burek.
McCullough is one of three semi-finalists from last season. He ranks second on the Corsairs with 17 goals, 25 assists and 42 points this year, and has 64 goals and 85 assists for 149 points in 108 career games at UMass Dartmouth. He is tied for third in the ECAC Northeast in points, ranks sixth in assists and is tied for 10th in goals. Nationally, he is tied for 12th in points, tied for 23rd in goals and tied for 14th in assists.
Grant leads the Corsairs in scoring with 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points. He has 46 goals and 54 assists for 100 points in 78 games as a Corsair; leads the ECAC Northeast in points, is tied for sixth in goals and is fifth in assists; and is tied for seventh nationally in points, 13th in goals and tied for 16th in assists. Grant leads UMass Dartmouth with seven game-winning goals and six power play goals and is tied for the lead with two shorthanded goals.
Green has started every game this year, and has posted a 23-2-1 record this season and is 30-2-1 overall in 33 games as a member of the Corsairs. He ranks second nationally in goals-against average (1.77), is third in save percentage (.927), and leads the nation with a .904 winning percentage. He leads the ECAC Northeast in every category.
“No doubt, we have seen the most exciting and competitive season at the D-II and D-III levels, with lots of up-and-coming programs establishing themselves with some truly notable performers in each of the three leagues in New England,” said Concannon Award Committee Chairman Tim Costello. “In addition to proving themselves as superb hockey players, each of the nominated players exemplifies sportsmanship and character in representing his team and institution. This year in particular, the committee’s final decision will not be an easy one, based on the caliber of play and competitive nature of all of the conference. We will be very diligent in evaluating the final performances of the season in order to determine this year’s winner.”
“I’m thrilled for Kyle McCullough, Jeff Grant and Jeff Green, as well as UMass Dartmouth hockey being recognized by the Joe Concannon Award Selection Committee,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach John Rolli. “They have all been mainstays of this year’s team.”
The Gridiron Club established the Joe Concannon Award in 2001 to honor Concannon, a lifelong devotee of college hockey, former member of the Walter Brown Award Selection Committee and, as a journalist, a staunch advocate for the amateur athletes he knew and covered. He served as sports information director (SID) at Holy Cross before joining the Boston Globe in the late 1960’s to cover college sports. He passed away in 2000.
The award will be presented April 11th at the annual New England Hockey Writers Banquet.
Joe Concannon Award Winners
2001 Keith Aucoin Norwich University
2002 Michael Carosi Bowdoin College
2003 Nick Stauder Salem State College
2004 Jim Pancyzkowski Wesleyan University
Michael O’Sullivan Curry College
2005 Brian Doherty Curry College
Joseph Ori Trinity College
2006 Adam Dunn Bowdoin College
UMASS DARTMOUTH HOCKEY
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