Dartmouth Announces End-of-Year Awards, 2009-10 Captain

HANOVER, N.H. -- Dartmouth men's hockey coach Bob Gaudet announced the squad's annual awards along with the captain for the 2009-10 season at a private, casual function on Wednesday, March 11. Junior defenseman Peter Boldt (Greenwich, Conn.) was named the captain as classmate Joe Gaudet (Etna, N.H.) and sophomore Scott Fleming (Plainfield, Ont.) were named the assistants.

The Friends of Dartmouth Hockey Leading Scorer Award along with the Manser Award for the most improved player went to sophomore Adam Estoclet (Orono, Minn.). Estoclet finished the season as the team's leading scorer with a career-high 32 points. He played in every game this season, notching 21 points in ECAC Hockey play. The forward proved his worth time and again as he was a key starter for the Big Green most of the season. He was top-10 in the league for scoring and was third in assists.

The Smoyer Award was given to senior John Gibson (Okotoks, Alta.). The award is given to the team's unsung hero. Over his four years Gibson chipped in four goals and eight assists in 81 career games. He was a key member of the Big Green's blueline as Gibson saw action in 11 games this season.

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". The award will be shared by two players as rookie Jody O'Neill (Nepean, Ont.) and Fleming were both named. O'Neill was recently named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year as he became Dartmouth's starter in net early in the season, appearing in 28 games. He finished the regular season with a 14-11-3 record and had three shutouts this season with two of them coming against nationally-ranked Princeton. O'Neill is the first Big Green goalie to win a Rookie of the Year award in the Ivy League. O'Neill was also presented with the Booma award which is given to the team's top rookie.

Fleming had a stellar year as he came on strong and finished as the team's leading goal scorer. Fleming had potted 10 points through December but had 15 from Jan. 10 to March 6. He had just three games where he recorded only one point. Fleming was ranked in several ECAC categories as he finished the year 14th in assists, second in goals, seventh in power play goals and sixth in game-winners.

Rob Pritchard(Burnaby, B.C.) was presented with the team's McInnis Award which is given to the player that best represents the spirit, camaraderie, loyalty and dedication of the team. The senior forward was Dartmouth's 2008-09 team captain as he finished the season with 18 points, tying his career-high point totals from 2006-07. Pritchard appeared in all but one game as he finished with nine goals and assists. For his career he played in 125 games, notching 62 points.

Boldt was chosen by his teammates and coaches as the player who will carry the team crest, and is looked to be the leader on and off the ice next season. Boldt was chosen because he is believed to be one who leads by a positive example each and every day. He will be Dartmouth's 129th captain in 104 years of play. Boldt played in 29 games on the blueline for the Big Green this season.

Gaudet was a key member of the team all year long. He played in 28 games, scoring a career-high 14 points (7g, 7a). Gaudet was one of Dartmouth's starter most of the season, appearing on the top line. Fleming will serve as the second assistant captain as the sophomore will help lead an group of 18 sophomores and freshmen next year.