Finalists Named for League’s Best Defensive Forward Award
ALBANY, N.Y. -- ECAC Hockey today announced the finalists for
the 2010-11 Men’s Best Defensive Forward Award presented by
Gladiator Custom Mouthguards. Aaron Bogosian, St. Lawrence, Adam
Presizniuk, Union, and Kelly Zajak also from Union have each been
nominated as finalists for the honor by the league’s coaches.
Bogosian has established his role with the Saints as the team's top
penalty killer and has developed into one of the best defensive
forwards in the league during his four years in Canton. The senior
was called upon to direct the Saints’ special team unit which
led the conference in killing penalties at a 87.4% success rate.
The Messena, NY native was also a major
contributor to the Saints’ defense, which allowed 3.32 goals
in 22 conference games. Bogosian, the gifted two-way
student-athlete, also netted one shorthanded goal and ranked third
on the team in scoring with six goals and eight assists in 17
league games.
Presizniuk, one of the Dutchmen assistant captains this season, has
been an influence on all special teams play for Union during his
four years at Union. Presizniuk was a major contributor to Union on
faceoffs, best penalty-kill situations, and played on the
team’s top lines. Despite missing six games with a thumb
injury, Presizniuk finished fifth on the team in scoring with 29
points (12 goals, 17 assists). On Oct. 9, Presizniuk set a school
record with five assists in a 7-3 win against Sacred Heart. He
became the school’s all-time leader in scoring and assists in
the Division I era on Jan. 7 against St. Lawrence. With an assist
in the third period, Presizniuk passed Jason Walters (’10) on
the scoring list, and Joel Beal (’05) on the assists list.
Presizniuk has 127 points (48 goals, 79 assists) in 142 games
played.
Rounding out the group of talented finalists is Kelly Zajac from
Union. Another leader on the ice, the junior has currently played
in more career games (114) than any other non-senior
student-athlete on the Dutchmen roster. Zajac has been a pure
two-way player during his three seasons at Union. The Winnipeg,
Manitoba native not only has amassed nearly 82 points on offense
(28g-54a) in his career, but has been one of the team’s
directors on the penalty kill unit for the Dutchmen. The first-line
forward led the Dutchmen in scoring in conference games year with
21 points on six goals and 15 assists. The point total and assist
total represent career highs for the junior. Zajac is currently
tied for sixth in the country (second in ECAC Hockey) with five
game-winning goals. He has a 15 points (four goals, 11 assists)
during Union’s current 11-game unbeaten streak (10-0-1).
