Dartmouth Announces Team Awards

HANOVER, N.H. - Dartmouth men's hockey coach Bob Gaudet announced the squad's annual awards along with the 2008-09 captain at a private, casual function earlier this week. Junior forward Rob Pritchard (Burnaby, B.C.) was named the Big Green's team captain for next season while current captain Nick Johnson (Calgary, Alta.) earned two awards.

Johnson finished the season with a career-high 35 points along with a league-leading six power play goals. He was given the Friends of Dartmouth Hockey Leading Scorer Award and the McInnis Award which is given to the player who best reflects the spirit, camaraderie, loyalty and dedication to the team. Johnson played in every game of his four year career, including 32 this season. The forward proved his worth time and again was on the Big Green's top line all season. He was the league's second leading scorer and third leading assist maker.

Johnson garnered his first-ever first team All-Ivy and All-ECAC Hockey awards while also being named Academic All-ECAC and All-Ivy. He recently signed an NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is currently listed on Willkes-Barre Scranton's roster.

Pritchard was chosen by his teammates and coaches as the player who is the one who will carry the team crest, is the leader on and off the ice, the one who has the most respect by his teammates and is the one who leads by a positive example each and every day. He is Dartmouth's 128th captain in 103 years of play.

Two forwards were honored with the John Manser Award for the most improved varsity player. Sophomores Josh Gillam (Peterborough, Ont.) and Joe Gaudet (Etna, N.H.) combined for 30 points. Gaudet played in all but one game scoring a career-high 15 points (10g, 5a). He played mainly on the third line notching 11 points in league games. Gillam appeared in 23 games, turning into a key player later in the season. He notched seven goals and eight assists along with three power-play strikes.

The Smoyer Award was given to junior Rob Smith (Calgary, Alta.). The award is given to the team's unsung hero. Over his three years Smith has chipped in two goals and five assists in 42 career games. He racked up seven points this season playing mainly on the third line.

The team MVP is named the Phelan Award and is given to the player who by demonstrating outstanding skill at his position, continued aggressiveness and team spirit, deserves to be named the "Most Valuable Player of the Year". Senior netminder Mike Devine (Orchard Park, N.Y.) earned the MVP honors after being the Big Green's top goalie for the last three seasons. Devine played in 28 games last season, writing his name in the Dartmouth record books. He earned 47 career wins, moving into second place on the career lists while also finishing second in saves.

The Booma Award was presented to defenseman Evan Stephens (Bessemer, Mich.). The award is given to the team's top rookie. Stephens enjoyed a solid first year as he finished third on the team in scoring with 22 points (5g, 17a). He was the ECAC's top scoring defenseman and was second in rookie scoring. He was named second team All-Ivy, third team All-ECAC and was played on the league's All-Rookie team. Stephens played in all 32 games on the Big Green's top line with classmate Joe Stejskal (Grand Rapids, Minn.).