Gostisbehere named team MVP

by Ryan Fay

Junior defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was named Most Valuable Player of the Union men’s hockey team at the program's annual year-end banquet Thursday at The Edison Club.

Gostisbehere, who will make his pro debut tonight with the Adirondack Phantoms, topped the NCAA champion Dutchmen in plus/minus rating (+33) while ranking third in blocked shots (52), fourth in assists (25) and fifth in scoring (34 points).

Gostisbehere, a third round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2012 NHL draft, was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award and earned All-America honors for the second time in his career. He was the co-winner of ECAC Hockey's Player of the Year and Best Defensive Defenseman awards.

Other award winners

Senior defenseman Mat Bodie, a two-time team captain, received the Coaches Award for the second consecutive season. Bodie, who also earned All-America honors for the second time in his career, was the top scoring defenseman in the country this season with 39 points (eight goals, 31 assists).

Senior forward Kevin Sullivan earned Most Improved Player honors after setting career highs in goals (nine), assists (29) and points (38).

Freshman forward Mike Vecchione was honored as Rookie of the Year. His 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) led Union's freshman class and ranked ninth nationally among freshmen.

Junior defenseman Charlie Vasaturo received the Scott Richardson Unsung Hero Award. Vasaturo was one of three players to appear in all 42 games and paced the team in blocked shots with 62.

Senior forward Cole Ikkala picked up the Charles N. Morrison Scholarship Awartd for the second straight season. The honor is given annually to a student who participates in extracurricular activities while demonstrating academic interest and achievement.

Ikkala posted a perfect 4.00 GPA during the winter semester and owns a cumulative 3.82 GPA as a Managerial Economics major. He was named a Senior CLASS Award Second Team All-American and was chosen as one of 18 candidates for the Hockey Humanitarian Award.

Sophomore forward Theo DiPauli and sophomore defenseman Sebastien Gingras were chosen as recipients of the Thomas VanArden Dukehart Award, given annually to the student-athlete(s) with the highest GPAs on the team.

DiPauli, who also earned the award last season, owns a 3.93 GPA in Bioengineering. Gingras has a 3.85 GPA while majoring in Neuroscience. Both players posted 4.00 GPAs during the winter semester.

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