Now that I'm back from the South Pacific, I'm able to do my midseason awards.
For the Men:
MVP: Greg Carey, 13G, 23A=36 points. When you lead the country in points, its pretty hard not to be the MVP of your team, especially a team that wins with offense. Greg was a Hobey Baker finalist last year, and was just two points shy of the national lead, and he looks to be one of the top point producers again this year. He will play a big role in the coming months if SLU wants to go deep in the ECAC tournament, or make the NCAA tournament.
Rookie of the year (so far): Gavin Bayreuther, 4G, 11A=15 points. For a freshman defenseman, being fifth on the team in scoring is really impressive. His defense might not be the best in the NCAA, but he certainly makes up for it point production, something SLU sorely needed with the graduation of George Hughes. Look for Bayreuther to play a big role in SLU's offense, especially the power play, in the next two months.
Unsung hero: Jeremy Wick 9G, 10A=19 points. Wick does everything for the Saints, but is generally overshadowed by the Carey brothers, something that is bound to happen. Wick is third on the team in points, and 7 of his 9 goals have come on the power play. He also kills penalties for SLU, and I can remember one game in particular, the first against North Dakota, he was by far the best player on the ice from either team, playing huge minutes on the PK, scored a shorthanded goal, a power play goal, and had an assist. This is a prime example of the work Wick does in every game.
Most surprising performance: Eric Sweetman, 1G, 7A=8 points. He does everything. He kills penalties, plays on the top pair with Justin Baker, even works the point on the second power play. And he does all of this as a freshman. I'm sure Carvel and his coaching staff had a better idea of his talent than I did, but they still have to be very pleased, and maybe a little surprised at just how good he is. His stick work in his defensive zone is fantastic, and its clear he has a very high hockey IQ. Its a comfort to everyone I talk to, having Sweetman on the team for the next few years.
A side note: Greg Carey is currently on pace to finish his stellar four year career at St. Lawrence with 192 points. That does not take into account any games played in the ECAC tournament, or hopefully the NCAA tournament. This means Carey would be the first in quite a while to reach the 200 point plateau. Believe me, if he does, you'll know.
For the Women:
MVP: Carmen MacDonald, 6-4-1, 1 SO, 2.08 GAA, .942 Sv. Pct. This was a pretty easy pick for me, and its obvious from her numbers just how good MacDonald has been this year. She ranks in the top five in several statistical categories within the ECAC, but more importantly, the team definitely feels comfortable knowing the MacDonald is in net. With the team sitting T-5 in the ECAC, but not far back at all, with games in hand over most of the teams in front, MacDonald will absolutely be key for the Saints moving forward if they want to get back into the NCAA tournament.
Rookie of the year: Brooke Webster, 6G, 7A=13 points. Webster turned it on in November, scoring 3 goals and 6 assists, earning rookie of the month honors from the ECAC. Her last season before SLU, she scored 40 points in 38 games, so offense was clearly her strength, and she has displayed that recently. Look for the trend to continue.
Unsung hero: Kirsten Padalis, 4G, 2A=6 points. Padalis is another freshman defenseman who has performed well. She finished the year scoring goals in consecutive games, does a good job of staying out of the penalty box, and has a well rounded game. But what goes largely unnoticed in the eyes of hockey fans, but plays a huge role on the ice, is blocking shots, especially as a defenseman. MacDonald's numbers are great, in large part because of her solid play, but also in part to her defense. Padalis alone has blocked 32 shots this year, followed by Dayle Wilkinson with 31. That's slightly higher than the average amount of shots a goalie faces in a game. but Padalis isn't wearing all the big leg pads, which makes her sacrifice even more important. And, unfortunately, because fans generally watch hockey for the goals and really exciting plays, the things like shot blocking go unappreciated. I personally recognize the sacrifice those players make for the team, and that's why Padalis gets the unsung hero.
Most surprising performance: Dayle Wilkinson, 2G, 9A=11 points. The senior defenseman has been crucial for the past three years for the Saints, but this year in particular, Wilkinson has added more offense to her game. She recorded ten points last year, and the most she ever recorded was 12, her last year before SLU. She currently has 11, and that number should increase even as she continues to play solid defense for the Saints.
Another side note: Senior forward Rylee Smith has 47 career goals at this point in the season, and could realistically reach the 50 goal milestone this season. Watch out for that, and I'll be sure to put it out there if she does.
For the Men:
MVP: Greg Carey, 13G, 23A=36 points. When you lead the country in points, its pretty hard not to be the MVP of your team, especially a team that wins with offense. Greg was a Hobey Baker finalist last year, and was just two points shy of the national lead, and he looks to be one of the top point producers again this year. He will play a big role in the coming months if SLU wants to go deep in the ECAC tournament, or make the NCAA tournament.
Rookie of the year (so far): Gavin Bayreuther, 4G, 11A=15 points. For a freshman defenseman, being fifth on the team in scoring is really impressive. His defense might not be the best in the NCAA, but he certainly makes up for it point production, something SLU sorely needed with the graduation of George Hughes. Look for Bayreuther to play a big role in SLU's offense, especially the power play, in the next two months.
Unsung hero: Jeremy Wick 9G, 10A=19 points. Wick does everything for the Saints, but is generally overshadowed by the Carey brothers, something that is bound to happen. Wick is third on the team in points, and 7 of his 9 goals have come on the power play. He also kills penalties for SLU, and I can remember one game in particular, the first against North Dakota, he was by far the best player on the ice from either team, playing huge minutes on the PK, scored a shorthanded goal, a power play goal, and had an assist. This is a prime example of the work Wick does in every game.
Most surprising performance: Eric Sweetman, 1G, 7A=8 points. He does everything. He kills penalties, plays on the top pair with Justin Baker, even works the point on the second power play. And he does all of this as a freshman. I'm sure Carvel and his coaching staff had a better idea of his talent than I did, but they still have to be very pleased, and maybe a little surprised at just how good he is. His stick work in his defensive zone is fantastic, and its clear he has a very high hockey IQ. Its a comfort to everyone I talk to, having Sweetman on the team for the next few years.
A side note: Greg Carey is currently on pace to finish his stellar four year career at St. Lawrence with 192 points. That does not take into account any games played in the ECAC tournament, or hopefully the NCAA tournament. This means Carey would be the first in quite a while to reach the 200 point plateau. Believe me, if he does, you'll know.
For the Women:
MVP: Carmen MacDonald, 6-4-1, 1 SO, 2.08 GAA, .942 Sv. Pct. This was a pretty easy pick for me, and its obvious from her numbers just how good MacDonald has been this year. She ranks in the top five in several statistical categories within the ECAC, but more importantly, the team definitely feels comfortable knowing the MacDonald is in net. With the team sitting T-5 in the ECAC, but not far back at all, with games in hand over most of the teams in front, MacDonald will absolutely be key for the Saints moving forward if they want to get back into the NCAA tournament.
Rookie of the year: Brooke Webster, 6G, 7A=13 points. Webster turned it on in November, scoring 3 goals and 6 assists, earning rookie of the month honors from the ECAC. Her last season before SLU, she scored 40 points in 38 games, so offense was clearly her strength, and she has displayed that recently. Look for the trend to continue.
Unsung hero: Kirsten Padalis, 4G, 2A=6 points. Padalis is another freshman defenseman who has performed well. She finished the year scoring goals in consecutive games, does a good job of staying out of the penalty box, and has a well rounded game. But what goes largely unnoticed in the eyes of hockey fans, but plays a huge role on the ice, is blocking shots, especially as a defenseman. MacDonald's numbers are great, in large part because of her solid play, but also in part to her defense. Padalis alone has blocked 32 shots this year, followed by Dayle Wilkinson with 31. That's slightly higher than the average amount of shots a goalie faces in a game. but Padalis isn't wearing all the big leg pads, which makes her sacrifice even more important. And, unfortunately, because fans generally watch hockey for the goals and really exciting plays, the things like shot blocking go unappreciated. I personally recognize the sacrifice those players make for the team, and that's why Padalis gets the unsung hero.
Most surprising performance: Dayle Wilkinson, 2G, 9A=11 points. The senior defenseman has been crucial for the past three years for the Saints, but this year in particular, Wilkinson has added more offense to her game. She recorded ten points last year, and the most she ever recorded was 12, her last year before SLU. She currently has 11, and that number should increase even as she continues to play solid defense for the Saints.
Another side note: Senior forward Rylee Smith has 47 career goals at this point in the season, and could realistically reach the 50 goal milestone this season. Watch out for that, and I'll be sure to put it out there if she does.
Nice article! One correction though, if Greg Carey does make it to 200 he would be the 1st to do so. 197 points is the current leader for St. Lawrence Hockey. I have a feeling he will make it by the end of the season!
ReplyDeleteI meant he would be the first in a while in all of NCAA hockey, but thanks for the fact! I'll be sure to include if, hopefully when, he reaches it!
ReplyDelete