Hockey East will hand out its awards at the league’s banquet at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Mass. on Thursday evening.
Here are the New England Hockey Journal's Hockey East Awards for the 2017-18 season:
Hockey East Player of the Year
Adam Gaudette, Jr., C, Northeastern – The Braintree, Mass., native is the unquestioned best player in Hockey East this season. In 24 conference games, he led Hockey East in goals (20), points (35), power play goals, power play points, and game-winning goals. He’s a clutch performer who plays with an edge and competes hard in all three zones. The Vancouver Canucks prospect is expected to sign his NHL entry-level contract once the Huskies’ season concludes.
Hockey East Rookie of the Year
Logan Hutsko, Fr., RW, Boston College – The USA Hockey NTDP alum was the only rookie in the league to score at a point per game clip in 2017-18. Hutsko finished the regular season with eight goals and 16 assists in 24 conference games. He leads the Eagles in scoring and had the best plus/minus of any rookie in the league. He’s a great story, having recovered from a broken neck and knee injury the past two seasons with the NTDP. Hutsko is starting to garner NHL Draft interest in his second season of eligibility.
Hockey East Coach of the Year
Jerry York, Boston College – There’s an argument to be made for several coaches to win Hockey East Coach of the Year. While the Eagles underperformed out of conference, York guided his team to the regular season championship, despite not having one senior on the roster. Along with assistants Greg Brown and Mike Ayers, BC finished strong down the stretch. While it’s a big piece, goaltender Joe Woll is really the only asset the Eagles have that is as good as any of the other teams in the top four of the league.
Maine, picked to finish 11th, exceeded expectations, tying for fifth during the regular season. Red Gendron and his staff, Ben Guite and Alfie Michaud, should be commended for that. Also deserving of credit is Mike Cavanaugh and his staff at UConn, lifting the Huskies to their best finish in Hockey East program history.
Hockey East Goaltender of the Year
Joseph Woll, Soph., Boston College – The St. Louis, Mo., native had his ups and downs during the regular season, but he was on top of his game in the month of February. While Northeastern’s Cayden Primeau and Providence’s Hayden Hawkey have better save percentages, both goaltenders received better support in front of them than Woll. The Toronto Maple Leafs second round pick in 2016 passes the eye test. He’s big, makes saves look easy and was the biggest reason the Eagles won the 2017-18 Hockey East Regular Season Championship.
Hockey East Best Defensive Forward
Brian Pinho, Sr., Providence – The North Andover, Mass., native and Washington Capitals prospect has been an impressive two-way center for the Friars over the past few years. He’s smart, reliable, engages, and recovers pucks in all three zones. He’s the type of player who goes to spots and can be put out there in any situation.
Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman
Jacob Bryson, Soph., Providence – This pick might raise some eyebrows. Casual fans will whine that Bryson is an undersized, offensive defenseman. However, the London, Ontario, native is so good when it comes to puck possession he rarely has to defend. The best defense is a good offense. Bryson has the puck more often than not and his team rarely has to defend when he’s on the ice. He does a good job on shoulder-checks and makes the little dink passes to start breakouts.
In a year where Hockey East lacked a true, prototypical big, shutdown defender, there weren’t a lot of options. Byrson has been really good and the most valuable player for the Friars.
First Team All-Hockey East
Forward: Adam Gaudette, Jr., Northeastern
Forward: Dylan Sikura, Sr., Northeastern
Forward: Nolan Stevens, Sr., Northeastern
Defense: Jeremy Davies, Soph., Northeastern
Defense: Jacob Bryson, Soph., Providence
Goaltender: Joseph Woll, Soph., Boston College
Second Team All-Hockey East
Forward: Erik Foley, Jr., Providence
Forward: Jordan Greenway, Jr., Boston University
Forward: Brian Pinho, Sr., Providence
Defense: Dante Fabbro, Soph., Boston University
Defense: Cale Makar, Fr., Massachusetts
Goaltender: Cayden Primeau, Fr., Northeastern
Hockey East All-Rookie Team
Forward: Logan Hutsko, Boston College
Forward: Shane Bowers, Boston University
Forward: Brady Tkachuk, Boston University
Defense: Cale Makar, Massachusetts
Defense: Ben Mirageas, Providence
Goaltender: Cayden Primeau, Northeastern
