University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Hockey Announces Award Winners
May 10, 2004 | Hockey
May 10, 2004
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts ice hockey team put the finishing touches on one of the best seasons in school history at its year-end banquet on Saturday morning. The Minutemen finished the season 19-12-1 and made their first appearance in the Hockey East Tournament finals.
Thomas P?ck (Klagenfurt, Austria) was named the team's MVP after one of the best seasons for a UMass individual in school history. P?ck finished his season with 41 points (16 g, 25 a), the most among the country's defenseman, and his career with 102 points, becoming only the seventh member of the UMass 100-point club. He shattered every defenseman school record and was UMass' first-ever Hobey Baker finalist and first team All-Hockey East award winner. He became the second Minuteman in school history to appear in anm NHL game, making his first appearance with the New York Rangers on March 23. He finished his NHL season, playing in the final six games and scoring four points (2 g, 2 a).
Freshman Kevin Jarman (Aurora, Ontario) was named Rookie of the Year after tallying 10 points (4 g, 6 a). He netted four assists in four Hockey East Tournament games. He is UMass' third-highest draft pick ever, being selected in the fourth round of last year's NHL Entry Draft.
Two senior assistant captains, Nick Kuiper (Beaconsfield, Quebec) and Mike Warner (Waltham, Mass.), were the recipients of the "Minuteman Award". Kuiper joined the team midway through his freshman season and had his best season as a senior, scoring 10 points (5 g, 5 a). He signed a free-agent contract three days after the season ended with the Chicago Blackhawks. Warner was a recruited walk-on as a freshman, and finished his career playing in 134 games, the fourth most in school history. He was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament team after scoring four goals in four games. He finished his senior year with 12 points (7 g, 5 a).
Mike's brother, Tim, won the Jack Canniff "Unsung Hero" Award. Warner appeared in only seven games, but made his appearances count. He won three games in the Hockey East Tournament, stopping a total of 87-of-93 shots to lead the Minutemen to the finals. He posted a 3-1-0 record with a .931 save percentage and a 1.93 GAA, the latter two marks are the lowest in school history among any goalie that played at least five games in a season.
James Solon (Acton, Mass.) was named the team's Most Improved Player. Solon ranked sixth on the team with 12 points (4 g, 8 a), after scoring eight as a freshman. He was fifth on the team in Hockey East games with nine points (4 g, 5 a). He had one game-winning goal whole playing in 35 games and having a +4 plus-minus ratio.
Jeff Lang (Westwood, Mass.) earned the academic award for having the highest GPA on the squad. Lang, a business major, appeared in 26 games, scoring six points (1 g, 5 a).
