Taylor, Traversa, ten Vaanholt and Davis Claim ECAC Men's West Top Honors
Taylor, Traversa, ten Vaanholt and Davis Claim ECAC Men's West Top Honors
DANBURY, Conn. – With the conference tournament set to begin on Wednesday, the ECAC Men’s West Hockey League announced its yearly awards and all-conference teams on Tuesday. Tied for third in Division III for the longest current unbeaten streak, Hobart College received two top honors in head coach Mark Taylor receiving Coach of the Year and senior Tommaso Traversa (Torino, Italy) being tabbed as Defensive Player of the Year. Junior Jarryd ten Vaanholt (West Vancouver, British Columbia) of Elmira College takes home Player of the Year honors, while Neumann University’s Mike Davis (Newark, Del.) claims Rookie of the Year accolades.
Taylor led the Statesmen to an outstanding 19-6-0 mark this season, including a 12-3-0 conference record that earned Hobart the top seed in the conference tournament. Now entering his 14th season on the bench for Hobart, Taylor continues to add to his impressive resume as the most successful coach in Hobart history. In 13 seasons, he has compiled a record of 194-121-32, while earning four NCAA Tournament bids and two trips to the national semifinals (2009, 2006). Taylor is a two-time finalist for the AHCA Division III Coach of the Year Award and was named ECAC West Coach of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2006, and again in 2009. Hobart is tied for 11th in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 3.88 goals per game and is tied for 12th in scoring margin (1.40). Hobart will host the lowest remaining seed in a semifinal game on Saturday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m.
A native of Torino, Italy, Traversa joins his coach as a major award winner after tallying 10 goals, nine assists and 14 blocks in 25 games. Traversa stood out in conference-play, scoring four of his goals, dishing out six assists and recording four blocks against Men’s West opponents. Traversa led a Hobart defense that ranked first in the league in both total goals against (61) and goals against per game (2.43). Traversa’s most prolific game came in a 5-4 win over Utica on November 15, when he scored two goals and recorded one assist. He also put together a two-goal performance against Oswego State on January 9.
Taking home top honors as Player of the Year, ten Vaanholt led the ECAC Men’s West in points this season. The West Vancouver, British Columbia native began the season red hot, recording at least one point in his first six games on the way to posting totals of 12 goals and 21 assists in 25 contests. ten Vaanholt was twice named ECAC West Player of the Week, including after a two-goal, two-assist performance in a 7-6 win over Wesleyan on December 6. He also put together a four-point effort in a 7-4 loss to Neumann, registering three assists and one goal.
Neumann’s Mike Davis is tabbed Rookie of the Year after playing a pivotal role in the Knights’ 13-8-4 overall season. The freshman forward ranks sixth in the league amongst forwards in goals scored. Davis compiled 10 goals and seven assists, totaling 17 points. Davis helped guide a Neumann offense that ranked second in both goals scored (90) and assists (137).
The 2015 ECAC Men’s West Tournament begins on Wednesday, February 25. The first round winners will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, February 28. The lowest advancing seed from the quarterfinals will travel to take on Hobart while the highest advancing seed will travel to Aston, Pa to take on Neumann. The semifinal winners will meet Saturday, March 7th for the championship at the highest remaining seed. For more information regarding the 2015 ECAC Men's West Hockey Tournament, including scores, game times and locations, visit www.ecacsports.com. Visit the Men's West Championship page by clicking HERE
2014-2015 ECAC Men's West Major Award Winners
Men's West Coach of the Year: Mark Taylor, Hobart College
Men's West Player of the Year: Jarryd ten Vaanholt, Elmira College
Men's West Defensive Player of the Year: Tommaso Traversa, Hobart College
Men's West Rookie of the Year: Mike Davis, Neumann University
ECAC Men's West All-Conference Teams
First Team
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Forwards
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Jarryd ten Vaanholt
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Elmira College
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Ben Blasko
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Nazareth College
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Brad McBride
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Hobart College
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| Tommaso Traversa |
Hobart College |
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Defensemen
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Dan McDougall
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Neumann University
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Ryan Michel
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Hobart College
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Goaltender
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Frank Oplinger
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Hobart College
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Second Team
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Forwards
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Louie Educate
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Utica College
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Bo Webster
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Hobart College
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Shayne Morrissey
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Neumann University
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Defensemen
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Eric David
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Elmira College
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Dalton Carter
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Utica College
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Goaltender
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Ed Zdolshek
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Nazareth College
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Honorable Mention
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Forwards
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Tommy Sumi
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Elmira College
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Dominik Gabaj
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Nazareth College
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Chris Bournazos
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Neumann University
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Defensemen
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Terrence O'Neill
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Hobart College
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Doug Rose
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Neumann University
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Goaltender
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Ryan DeMelo
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Elmira College
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All-Rookie Team
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Forwards
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Mike Davis
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Neumann University
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Oliver Janzen
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Nazareth College
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Stephen Gaul
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Manhattanville College
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Liam Board
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Neumann University
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Defensemen
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Doug Rose
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Neumann University
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Dalton Carter
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Utica College
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Goaltender
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Frank Oplinger
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Hobart College
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