University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Hockey Holds Its Annual Banquet
April 15, 2006 | Hockey
April 15, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts hockey team held its annual end of the season banquet on Saturday afternoon in the UMass Campus Center. Six individual awards were issued during the event, the graduating seniors were recognized and the coaching staff addressed those in attendance. The 2005-06 highlight video was also unveiled. Lastly, the 2006-07 captain was named: Matt Anderson will wear the "C" for the second-consecutive year, with assistant captains to be named at a later date.
Below is a list of awards handed out on Saturday afternoon:
Rookie of the Year
Given to two Minutemen this season: Chris Davis and Cory Quirk. Davis ended the season with 18 points (9g, 9a) with a power play goal, a shorthander and a gamewinner. Quirk went 8-5-13 with a power play tally and two gamewinners. Both played in all 36 games.
Most Improved Player
Mike Kostka. Played in all 36 games on defense as a sophomore, finishing the season tenth on the team in scoring, third among blueliners with a total of eight points. All eight points came in league play, setting a new career mark for points in a season, while the total doubled his freshman output. Kostka's plus-minus paced the team: +2 overall, +7 in Hockey East games.
Jack Canniff Unsung Hero Award
Zech Klann. Recognized by the team for his contributions on and off the ice without the recognition others have received. Klann played in 24 games as a sophomore, 16 in league play. All three assists on the year came vs. Hockey East opponents.
Minuteman Award
Jamie Solon. Billed as UMass' top defensive forward, Solon skated in all 36 games and ended the season with 12 points, good enough for ninth on the team. Eight of his 12 points came in league play, while his shot percentage of .219 was good enough for second on the team. Solon skated on UMass' top penalty-killing unit, was tops in blocked shots and set a new season-best for goals with seven, topping his sophomore total of four.
Coaches' Award
Mark Matheson. Played in 34 games, splitting time at defense and center, doubling his season points total from his sophomore season, posting 14 (3g, 11a). Matheson set new personal-bests for goals and assists in a season and 11 of his 14 points came in league play. Seventh on the team in scoring overall and in league play.
Most Valuable Player
Marvin Degon. Captain of the Minutemen and a 2006 All-League defenseman. He played in all 36 games as a senior and finished the season first on UMass' scoring list with 29 points (10g, 19a). 22 points in league play also paced the Minutemen (8g, 14a). Degon's scoring led Hockey East defensemen both overall and in league play, his 10 goals overall paced all league defensemen, his eight power play goals topped all blueliners nationally and he was tenth among DI defensemen in scoring, third among Eastern players . Degon tied an NCAA all-time record for power play goals in a game (defensemen) with his power play hat trick vs. Merrimack (1/7) and set new personal-bests for goals, assists and points in both overall and conference play this season. He had seven multiple-point games as a senior, was a Hockey East Player of the Week, UMass Athlete of the Week and Toyota UConn Hockey Classic All-Tourney Team honoree. Degon was also a two-time semi-finalist for the Walter Brown Award, given annually to the top American-born college hockey player in New England.
