Dartmouth Announces Team Awards and 2011-12 Captain
HANOVER, N.H. – Sophomore defenseman Mike Keenan (Weymouth, Mass.) has been picked to lead the 2011-12 Dartmouth men's hockey team as announced by head coach Bob Gaudet at an informal team gathering on Wednesday evening. Gaudet also announced the team's end-of-the-year team award winners.
Keenan became the 131st captain in Dartmouth history and will be joined by assistant captains, Doug Jones (Marietta, Ga.), Connor Goggin (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and Jim Gaudet (Etna, N.H.). Keenan become a true leader for the Big Green this season from the blueline. He missed all but seven games of his freshman year with an injury but he made an impact for Dartmouth in 2010-11. Keenan saw time in all 34 games, tallying 11 points and was the second highest scoring defenseman on the squad. He also racked up 45 penalty minutes.
The Friends of Men's Hockey Leading Scorer Award was given to senior Scott Fleming (Plainfield, Ont.). Fleming earned the award for the second year in a row after finishing the season with 31 points. He was second on the team in goal scoring with 13 and assist scoring with 18. Five of his 13 goals came on the power play as well as one shorthanded strike.
The Smoyer Award was given to senior Rob Smith (Brooks, Alta.). The award is given to the team's unsung hero. Smith was a true workhorse for the 2010-11 Big Green team as he played in 30 games with a total of nine points scored. Many of Smith's points came as the result of incredible hard work and were at key moments. He tallied a goal in an 8-1 trouncing of St. Lawrence before adding the lone goal in a close 2-1 loss to top-ranked Yale. Smith's goal against UNH gave Dartmouth a 2-1 lead as the Big Green went on to capture that win, 5-4.
Joe Stejskal (Grand Rapids, Minn.) was awarded 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 defenseman earned his first ever post-season awards as he was named second team All-Ivy and third team All-ECAC. He finished the year with five points as all three of his goals tallied came in Dartmouth victories. Stejskal was part of the Big Green's top defensive pairing as he helped the team finish second in ECAC Hockey in penalty killing and third in scoring defense.
Two players earned the team's most improved player with the Manser Award. Nick Walsh (Shannonville, Ont.) and Jim Gaudet each were chosen as the most improved player for the Big Green. Walsh played in all but two games this season, racking up a career-high 17 total points. He led the team in game winners with three while adding two power play strikes. Gaudet was one six players to play in all of Dartmouth's 36 games this year. He notched one assist but was key in helping freshman Taylor Boldt adjust to the college game as the two were paired together all season.
The Booma Award is given to the player that is chosen by his teammates and coaches as the first year member of the Dartmouth men's hockey team who, through determination, desire, dedication and ability earns the "Rookie of the Year". This year's award was given to Matt Lindblad (Winnetka, Ill.). Lindblad was one of the league's top scoring freshmen, racking up 28 points. He led the squad in power play goals with seven and had two game winners.
