Lowe's Senior CLASS Awards Criteria In addition to the core requirement that the candidate be a NCAA Division 1 senior, the finalists and eventual winner will be selected based on personal qualities that define a complete student athlete. These areas of excellence are defined under the categories of Classroom, Character, Community and Competition.

Classroom: academic achievements and successfully progressing in regards to earning a degree

Character: attributes that define the candidate's personal character, including leadership skills, work ethic and integrity

Community: involvement in community and charity activities, utilizing the candidate's status as a college athlete to make an impact in worthwhile causes

Competition: achievements within the athlete's respective sport and their role in the success of the team

Hockey 2008-09

Athletes: Andrew Carroll Brian McCafferty Brock Bradford Chris Hahn Corey Elkins Dean Strong Dewey Thomson Erik Condra Mathias Lange Matt Cook Mike Phillipich Patrick Mullen Sean Erickson Shane Connelly Trevor Hyatt Zach McKelvie Zach Miskovic Zach Pelletier Andrew Carroll (University of Minnesota Duluth)

Classroom Andrew is a two-time member of the WCHA All-Academic Team and was a WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award recipient one year ago. He was the men's hockey representative on UMD's Athletic Academic Support Center Scholar List for maintaining the best cumulative grade point average of any Bulldog during the 2006-07 school year and currently maintains a 3.32 GPA. Carroll will finish his "course" work in his field of study (physical education) this spring and will have just his student teaching left. Once his hockey playing days are over, he hopes to become a teacher and coach.

Character Carroll has held a full-time team captaincy role with the Bulldogs in each of the past three seasons and is serving as as a UMD tri-captain this winter. Co-captain the 2006-07 Bulldogs Andrew was the first sophomore to so in 56 years. In addition, he served as an alternate team captain one year ago and received the 2005-06 Goldie Wolfe Award as UMD's Most Inspirational Player.

Community Carroll has been active in a number of volunteer activities in the Duluth Community over the past several years, and is the first one called when a player is requested for such events. Previous activities include fundraisers for the American Breast Cancer Society and the Duluth Boy's and Girl's Club, as well as making visits to local hospitals and elementary schools. In addition, he is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus.

Competition Andrew has skated a regular shift with the Bulldogs for the past four seasons, spending ample time on the team's power play and killing units as well. He has collected 25 goals and 24 assists for 49 points in 119 career games and topped the 2007-08 Bulldogs in goals with eight. Brian McCafferty (Harvard University)

Classroom Brian owns a very strong grade-point average as an economics concentrator at Harvard and was tabbed an ECAC Hockey All-Academic selection as a sophomore and junior.

Character McCafferty was elected co-captain by his teammates.

Community Brian serves as President of Crimson City Hockey Clinic, an organization run by Harvard hockey players, providing free ice time, inexpensive equipment and positive role models to Boston youth in the summer.

Competition McCafferty helped Harvard lead the ECAC Hockey in scoring defense and penalty killing in league play last season. Harvard ranked 11th nationally in scoring defense last season, 26th his sophomore year and 23rd his freshman year. In addition, Brian is also a contributor on offense and the power play. He leads all active Harvard players (including forwards) in career assists (42) and ranks second in career points (48). Brian has been a fixture in the lineup for four seasons, playing in 101 games and reaching the ECAC championship game twice and was named Harvard's rookie of the year in 2005-06, when he helped the Crimson win ECAC and Ivy League titles. Brock Bradford (Boston College)

Classroom Brock earned 2007-08 All-Academic Team recognition.

Character Bradford missed 39 games during the 2007-08 season because of injury to the same bone (left humerus) and suffered a broken humerus in his left arm in the team's season-opening game against Michigan (10/12) in the in St. Paul, Minn. He returned to the lineup against Vermont (1/9) and netted the decisive in the team's 4-1 home win over the Catamounts. Brock scored twice, including a shorthanded score, in a 5-2 win over Vermont two nights later (1/11). Unfortunately, he sustained a season-ending injury - a break in the same bone (left humerus) - against Boston University (1/19).

Community Brock is an active participant in BC hockey community service at YMCA in Brighton, Mass. and annually visits patients at Franciscan Hospital for Children. He also makes time to assist in providing food service at local homeless shelters throughout the year.

Competition The Burnaby, British Columbia, resident has registered 23 points - 14 goals and nine assists - in 16 games. Currently, he is leading the nation in goals per game (0.88) and is tied for sixth in the country in points per game (1.44). The 5-foot-9-inch forward has scored at least one goal in nine (of 16) games and has scored multiple goals four times, including a hat trick at Merrimack (Nov. 14). He has totaled five multiple-point performances, including two four-point efforts and two three-point nights. Chris Hahn (Maine)

Classroom Chris Hahn has excelled in the classroom at the University of Maine. He has a 3.78 grade point average in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance. He has posted three consecutive semesters with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. In 2008, Hahn was selected one of three Hockey East Top Scholar-Athlete's. In addition, he was named to the Hockey East Academic All-Star Team, honoring six student-athletes with top GPAs by position. Hahn is a three-time member of the Hockey East All-Academic Team. He has earned the Dale Lick Academic Achievement Award in each of the past two seasons, for having the top grade point average on the Maine hockey team. Hahn has also been named a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner and been named to the Dean's List. He is a two-time Team Maine selection, which honors the top scholar-athlete in each sport at the University of Maine. Led by Hahn, Maine posted a team grade point average of 3.11 last year, the highest in team history.

Character Chris Hahn is a person of exceptional character. As one of four seniors on the Maine team this year, Hahn is an outstanding leader. He leads both on and off the ice for the Black Bears. Hahn had a very frustrating junior season, which left him more determined to make the most of his senior campaign. During the 2007-08 season, Hahn broke his hand in a game on Nov. 25. Having recovered from the hand injury and ready to play his first game back, Hahn was hit in the jaw with the puck during a pre-game skate the day he was scheduled to return to the lineup and was sidelined again. Hahn missed 12 games over the span of two months with the two injuries. The Black Bears went 4-7-1 in that time without Hahn. Determined to get back, Hahn returned to the lineup on Feb. 8 and the Black Bears were 5-5-0 in their final 10 games. Hahn had points in four of the final six games for the Black Bears, in which Maine went 5-1-0. It is the same character and determination that Hahn used to return to the lineup last year, that he uses every day in practice and in the locker room to lead a young Maine team that has 19 freshmen and sophomores on its roster.

Community As part of the Maine hockey team, Hahn takes an active role in the local Orono community. Hahn and the Black Bears complete numerous community service projects each year. This past September, Hahn was the University of Maine men's team's top finisher in the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure. He also participates in a pair of "Skate with the Bears" each year, where local children from the community come in and skate with the Maine team. Hahn has also volunteered with Maine Minor Hockey the past four years, where he teaches hockey skills to youth ages 5-14.

Competition Hahn is one of Maine's top forwards. He is currently second on the team in scoring with a team-best four goals and one assist for five points in seven games. He currently has goals in three straight games for Maine. He scored three goals in Maine's weekend sweep of Niagara. He scored one of two Maine goals in victory over second-ranked Boston College. Hahn has been named to the Hockey East Weekly Top Performers list each of the past two weeks. He has one game-winning goal and three power play goals. His three power play goals rank tied for third in Hockey East and tied for 10th in the nation. Corey Elkins (Ohio State University)

Classroom Elkins, a history major, has a 3.50 cumulative GPA and expects to graduate at winter quarter. He is a three-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a dean's list recipient.

Character Elkins recieved the Buckeyes' Coaches' Award following his sophomore season in recognition of his hard work and determination to come back from two sepearate injuries. He suffered a season-ending knee injury as a freshman after playing in nine games and had a shoulder injury that forced him to miss time as a sophomore.

Community As a member of the hockey team, Elkins has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House, the Second and Seven Foundation (reading to elementary students) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk.

Competition Elkins shares the team scoring lead this season through 11 games, with four assists and six points. He has played in 71 games as a Buckeye and has 13 goals, 16 assists and 29 points. Dean Strong (University of Vermont)

Classroom Dean has 3.18 cumulative grade point average as an agriculture and resource economics major and was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Character FROM VERMONT HEAD COACH KEVIN SNEDDON: "In our hockey program we have a core covenant made up of four characteristics: family, accountability, selflessness and toughness. Dean is the perfect role model for every student-athlete as he lives by these virtues. Dean's own stable "center of gravity" has always allowed him to display genuine respect towards everyone, respect that is returned in kind. It's one thing to be a respected member of a team; it's even more amazing to be universally respected by everyone he encounters at UVM and within the Burlington community. As a two-year captain, Hockey East All-Academic Team member, standout two-way competitor, and someone who consistently gives back to our community, Dean deserves to be considered for this prestigious award."

Community Strong has been involved with the following community service activities: The annual UVM Teddy Bear Toss (members of the team deliver Teddy Bears to children at Fletcher Allen Health Care and local nursing homes over the holidays), several Jarred Williams Foundation events (foundation raises money for chronically ill children), Green Up Day (clean up of the local community), Burlington Amateur Hockey Association events (hockey clinics) and reading to kids at local schools in the community. In addition, Dean recently took time during the season to skate with youth hockey players to reinforce not only fundamentals, but the fun of the game.

Competition Strong has played in every game in his career at Vermont (125). With 90 career points (30g, 60a) he is just 10 points shy of becoming the 41st Catamount to reach 100 career points. The Catamounts are 42-13-13 in games when Dean has recorded at least one point during his career. He has won 55-percent of his face offs in his career and has been one of the team's top penalty killers for a unit that has ranked in the top-14 nationally in each of the last three seasons. He is a two-time captain for the Catamounts. Was runner-up for Best Defensive Forward in Hockey East in 2007-08. Won the 2007-08 Vermont Jim Cross Coaches' Award. Was the 2005-06 Vermont George Buzzell Rookie of the Year. In this season's contest versus Boston College, Dean had four assists in a win and a tie and went 28-for-42 on face offs. In addition, he became the 41st Catamount to reach 100 points in his career. Dewey Thomson (Holy Cross)

Classroom Thomson has a 3.36 cumulative grade point average in economics. He has been named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team in all three years.

Character "Dewey has one of the best characters of any player we have ever had here," said Holy Cross head men's hockey coach . "I don't think he has the time to live a normal college kid's life with all of the hard work he spends on hockey, in the class room and in helping in the community. What he brings to the team as a leader and as a good example to his teammates is invaluable. He is also one of the hardest working kids in the summer as he worked with a hospital and still spent a ton of time working on hockey. He comes from a great family and you can tell by how mature and hard working he is."

Community Thomson spends time at the Grafton Street Elementary School where talks about careers and how important an education is. He is also a part of Crusaders for Kids which is a program that involves players bringing inner city kids to Holy Cross sporting events.

Competition Thomson has played in 96 career games with 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points. He had a career-best seven goals and nine assists for 16 points as a sophomore in 31 games. Thomson was named the Crusader of the Week as a sophomore. As a freshman he scored two goals and had four assists for six points in 27 games on a team that won the Atlantic Hockey regular season and tournament championships and upset Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. As a junior he had three goals and four assists for seven points in 33 games. Erik Condra (Notre Dame)

Classroom Erik owns a 3.56 grade-point average in his double major of psychology /pre-professional (pre-med). As a junior, he was selected to ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA's second team District V all-academic squad.

Character Erik is Notre Dame's team captain for the 2008-09 season and served as the team's alternate captain last season. A team leader on and off the ice, Condra has been a driving force in helping the coaching staff "change the culture" of Notre Dame hockey since they took over in 2005-06, his freshman season. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third game of the CCHA playoffs last season and worked hard in the offseason to return to the lineup for the start of this season.

Community Erik has been involved in all aspects of Notre Dame hockey's community service efforts throughout his career. He has participated in the annual Buddy Walk for kids with Downs Syndrome all four years as well as the University's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Christmas Party with Memorial Hospital. This year, the team is working with South Bend's Robinson Center in an after-school program to teach kids how to play hockey. Erik volunteers at Notre Dame's Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) working with younger children. He has been a part of the team's IYHL Mite Skates, working with the areas youth hockey program. He also has participated in the CCHA's annual Hockey Is Fun Clinic in the two years it has been running.

Competition Erik has led Notre Dame in scoring in each of his first three seasons and came into this season ranked 33rd on the school's all-time scoring list with 35 goals and 85 assists for 120 points. His 85 assists tied him for 18th on the all-time assist list. Coming into the 2008-09 season, he as a preseason first team all-CCHA selection. As a freshman he was a CCHA all-rookie selection and a finalist for rookie of the year. In 2006-07, he was an honorable mention all-CCHA selection. He has been Notre Dame's offensive player of the year in each of his first three years. During the first half of this season, Condra is sixth on the team in scoring with four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. Jeff Lerg (Michigan State)

Classroom Jeff maintains a 3.77 GPA as a finance major and has had two 4.0 semesters. He was named the 2008 CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was listed as a MSU hockey All-Academic team pick in 2007 and 2008. In addition, Lerg was listed on the CCHA All-Academic Team.

Character Lerg was an unanimous pick for 2008-09 team captain (was an assistant captain as a junior) and is just one of just two to ever serve as captain of the Spartans. Despite multiple challenges including being a severe asthmatic who has to use a nebulizer twice daily and being perhaps the smallest player in Division I hockey (5-6, 155 pounds), Jeff is a nominee for Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup due to his efforts on the ice.

Community Despite a demanding athletic training schedule, Jeff continues to make his community a priority. He is/has been involved in numerous activities including Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lansing, "Shoot for a Cure" (MSU hockey fundraising initiative for Cure Kids Cancer. Jeff has the Cure Kids Cancer bracelet painted on his helmet), Spartan Buddies (visiting critically/terminally ill children at local hospital), and the American Lung Association (Blow the Whistle on Asthma). In addition, he has also volunteered for the Children's Miracle Network, Make A Change (collecting money at football games for cancer research), and the Junior Spartan Tailgate. The list doesn't end there, Lerg has also participated in Project Read at local elementary schools and helps young people focus on fitness through "Jump Start Your Heart" (health and fitness) and "Fall into Fitness" (promoting health and wellness). Other community service projects include: Trick or Treating for Kids with Cancer, "Mad About Micah" (fundraiser for a local high school student who suffered a traumatic brain injury), Teams for Toys (team adopts a local needy family at Christmas), Family Skate Night (with local elementary schools), Have Fun, Play Hockey clinics (introducing youths to the sport), Wheelchair Hockey games (fundraiser for local wheelchair hockey team), and MSU Athletics Fan Fest. Jeff has also dedicated a portion of his free time to serve as a celebrity speaker for Hike For Hospice.

Competition As a Junior in 2007-08, Jeff compiled amazing stats: 41 GP/41 GS; 2464:14 Minutes Played; .926 Sv%, 2.22 GAA, 24-12-5 record, 4 shutouts. He was listed as Preseason First-Team All-CCHA and as an InsideCollegeHockey.com Preseason All-American. He was a six-time CCHA of the Week and was named RBC Financial CCHA Player of the Month and HCA National Player of the Month in January. Lerg was a finalist for the AAU's Sullivan Award, honoring top amateur athlete in the United States. A First Team All-CCHA, and CCHA Player of the Year finalist, Jeff was listed as a member of the NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team. He was an AHCA Second-Team All-American, and was tabbed the Michigan College Athlete of the Year and MSU's George Alderton Male Athlete of the Year. To top off his accomplishments as a junior, Lerg was selected as one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. So far in his senior campaign, Jeff is already recording great stats: 8 GP/8 GS; 483:36 Minutes Played; .944 Sv%, 1.74 GAA, 3-3-1 record, 1 shutout. He has already been named a Preseason First-Team All-CCHA, Inside College Hockey Pre-season All-America (Second Team), and a member of the Icebreaker All-Tournament Team. He has earned CCHA Goaltender of the Week status twice this season, and became MSU's all-time saves leader on Oct. 31. In the Michigan State recordbooks, Jeff is fifth in wins (70), third in games played (122), third in goal-against average (2.18), first in saves (3,192), second in saves percentage (.924), and fourth in shutouts (11). Jordan Pearce (Notre Dame)

Classroom Jordan owns a 3.816 grade-point average in his double major of anthropology /pre-professional (pre-med). He has been selected to the Dean's List in four of his first six semesters. Last season, he was the winner of Notre Dame hockey's Rockne-Scholar Athlete Award and was the Irish nominee for CCHA scholar-athlete team. He was selected second team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA's Academic All-American on the At-Large team. He is a Presidential Scholar and a member of Notre Dame's Academic Honors Program for student athletes.

Character For two seasons, Jordan served as the back-up goaltender at Notre Dame, playing in just 12 games. He never complained, just worked on improving his game for when his time came. As a junior he got his chance and set school records for games played (43), games started (42) and minutes played (2557:46) while going 23-15-4 with a 2.04 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage and helped lead the Irish to the Frozen Four and the NCAA championship game.

Community Jordan has been involved in all aspects of Notre Dame hockey's community service efforts throughout his career. He has participated in the annual Buddy Walk for kids with Downs Syndrome all four years as well as the University's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Christmas Party with Memorial Hospital. This year, the team is working with South Bend's Robinson Center in an after-school program to teach kids how to play hockey. He has been a part of the team's IYHL Mite Skates, working with the areas youth hockey program. He also has participated in the CCHA's annual Hockey Is Fun Clinic that has been held twice at Notre Dame.

Competition Jordan turned in a 23-15-4 record with a 2.04 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in his first year as a starter, leading the Irish to the Frozen Four for the first time. His 1.80 goals-against average in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) earned him the CCHA's Top Goaltender Award. He is currently first all-time in goals-against average (2.18) at Notre Dame, fourth all-time in save percentage (.910), first in winning percentage (34-23-4, .590) and third in shutouts (5) for his career. Through the first half of this season, Jordan is 13-3-2 with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage with two shutouts. Mathias Lange (Rensselaer)

Classroom Mathias currently maintains a Cumulative GPA of 3.76 while pursuing a Management major and a Sports Psychology minor. He has been listed on the Dean's List every semester and has earned multiple ECAC Hockey All-Academic honors. He is a member of EDS - the Management Honor Society and is bilingual: German and English.

Character Lange is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Community A Troy-Albany Youth Hockey Association volunteer, Mathias coordinated his senior class purchasing eight season tickets for all home games to be distributed to unprivileged children including a locker room tour and autographed programs. He is also a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Kids' Day volunteer and a three-time American Cancer Society's Relay For Life participant. This season, Lange has added the ECAC Hockey Adopt-A-Player program to his list of community efforts.

Competition In 2007-08, Lange was named ECAC Goalie of the Week twice and was a member of the Rensselaer Invitational All-Tournament and Tampa Bay College Hockey Classic All Tournament Teams. That same season, he was named the team's Most Valuable Player. Mathias maintains the school record for ties with 16, and is third in school history in starts with 85 (5 from 3rd place). Lange holds other spots in the school record books as he ranks fourth in games played by a goaltender with 90 and minutes with 5174:47. Mathias also earned ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week honors on January 12th. Matt Cook (Union College (NY))

Classroom An economics major with a math minor, Matt Cook carries a 3.833 grade-point average through three years at Union College. He was selected to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic squad his sophomore and junior seasons and has made Dean's List every term. Matt has ambitions to go to earn his MBA after his hockey career.

Character Cook was given the captain's "C" during his junior year over five seniors on the team. That season he led the Dutchmen to its first ever first round bye in the ECAC Hockey tournament and its highest finish (fourth) in program history. Cook remained the captain for his senior season and as led Union to its first tournament championship since 1993 by winning the 2008 Governor's Cup. Head coach Nate Leaman had this to say about Cook: "Matt is one of the hardest working players I've ever been around. He has a very good skill level and can finish. He is relied upon in all situations and his leadership is going to play a big role into the success of the team."

Community Cook is very involved in the Schenectady, NY community where he volunteers with a SAIL program at local area grade schools. He has also participated in Habitat for Humanity and has volunteered his time at the YMCA soup kitchen. An instructor in the Minerva Games for local area grade schoolers, Cook also coached a skills clinic for local youth hockey players.

Competition During his time at Union, Cook has posted 59 points, 27 goals and 32 assist, in 111 career games. Only one other Union student-athlete has played more games. As of November 17, he had produced five points, two goals and three assists, in nine games. He was named to the all-tournament at the 2008 Governor's Cup. In 2007-08, Cook was Union's leading goal scorer with 10 tallies and finished fourth on the team with 19 points. In 2006-07, he was named to the Vermont Tournament all-tournament team. Mike Phillipich (Air Force Academy)

Classroom A Systems Engineering Management Major, Mike maintains a 3.77 GPA (3.87 Major GPA). He ranks 42nd academically in his class of 1,066 cadets, and his majors GPA of 3.87 is second out of 73 systems engineering management majors. Has been on the dean's list every semester for academic excellence and has been on the superintendent's list once for excellence in athletics, military preformance and Athletics. Phillipich was a Dean's ACE (4.0 GPA) for Spring 2007 semester and is a three-time academic all-conference selection. He was selected to apply for both the Superintendent's RAND Scholarship (3-yr program at Pardee RAND Graduate School for a PhD in Policy Analysis) and the Draper Scholarship to MIT (2-yr Master's Program in an engineering related field). Mike plans to work in the acquisitions field in the Air Force after graduation.

Character Mike was on the Commandant's List twice for excellence in military performance, and as a freshman, was chosen as the chief clerk in his squadron, serving as a liaison between the freshmen and the upperclassmen. In addition, he was the course cadre for the Self-Aide and Buddy Care (SABC) Program as a sophomore and served as an instructor for the SABC course during Basic Cadet Training for the incoming class. He taught a lesson ensuring safety to yourself and the wounded, how to check the wounded person's airway and how to determine adequate circulation, including location of major pressure points. As part of the program, he also taught cadets how to handle semi-automatic weapons and smoke grenades safely. Phillipich was also selected as the Cadet-In-Charge for Operation Air Force, a program that send cadets around the world during the summer to experience the operational Air Force at an active base. In charge of accountability for, and the actions of, 22 cadets at McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas, Mike esured no disciplinary issues arose over the duration of the trip and met with a Captain a few times a week to get schedule updates and give status reports on the group o As a junior was the athletic non-commissioned officer in his squadron, conducting unit physical fitness tests and ensuring that all members of the squad met the physical fitness standards. Served as the Group Executive Officer for Combat Survival Training. Was the second in charge for standing up a military training program. Served as a liaison between cadets in the course, enlisted personnel running the training, and officers who oversaw the success of the program. o As a senior, is the element officer in his squadron, responsible for all other cadets in the element and ensuring that they are meeting Academy standards and are on the right track. Also, is the assistant standardization and evaluation officer. Responsible for conducting squadron inspections to ensure all standards are upheld

Community Mike helped organize a group of teammates to assist with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for the Cure and the annual Spring Gala each of the last four years. Each year the hockey team sponsors a toy drive and then visits hospitals in the Denver and Springs area to deliver the toys to children during the holidays, in which Mike was actively involved. In the summer of 2007, Phillipich worked with Habitat for Humanity, building a house for the less fortunate, and he has made numerous visits to elementary schools, talking to children about the importance of education, team work, and working hard to achieve your dream. He has also been active in teaching the skills of hockey to youth.

Competition Selected by his teammates as the hockey team captain as a junior and senior (one of just four players in school history to be a two-year team captain), Mike ked the team to the 2007-08 Atlantic Hockey championship. In addition, he helped lead this year's team to an 8-0 start and a No. 13 national ranking, the best in school history. Philliich suffered through an injury-plagued junior year in which he scored 15 points in 27 games. Had two assists to help lead Air Force to a double-overtime victory (5-4) over Mercyhurst in the championship game of the AHA Tournament and propel the Falcons to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. As a sophomore, he was the MVP of the AHA Tournament as he had three points in the championship game victory over Army to send AFA to its first NCAA Tournament. Phillipich was third on the team in scoring as a sophomore with 16 goals and 44 points, and was the right-winger on the top line. +18 was the fifth best in the league. Mike has earned conference player of the week honors three times in his career, and as a freshman, earned the team's Award as the freshman of the year. The only freshman to play in all 32 games and finished with 15 points (7-8-15), Phillipich was sixth in the league in points by a freshman. Patrick Mullen (University of Denver)

Classroom Patrick has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.03, while earning All-WCHA Academic honors in 2006-07. He is heavily involved in his real estate construction management major and is in the process of building and selling a house for his senior class project.

Character Mullen is selfless, confident and caring. He was recruited to DU as a forward and has transitioned into one of the top two-way defensemen in college hockey. He is well-liked by his teammates and very interested in reading, learning and participating in community service events.

Community Patrick volunteers his time for the Jr. Pioneers youth hockey program, the Skate with the Pioneers event sponsored by the Starlight/Starbright Foundation which benefits terminally ill children, and makes periodic visits to children's hospitals in Denver and .

Competition Mullen currently ranks No. 6 nationally in defenseman scoring at 1.00 ppg. He ranks third in the WCHA in overall defenseman scoring and second in assists. Patrick helped DU to the 2008 WCHA Final Five title and 21 or more wins his first three seasons as a Pioneer. Sean Erickson (University of Connecticut)

Classroom Erickson is a sociology major who has applied what he has learned in the classroom into real-life experiences as he has become somewhat of a spokesman for the team in the eyes of the media.

Character Erickson is a leader both on and off the ice. As a co-captain of the UConn men's hockey squad since his sophomore year, he has been able to develop what have become outstanding leadership skills. During his junior year, after a season-ending injury Erickson still attended and helped at every practice providing his expertise to assist the 15 newcomers to the UConn squad. His leadership abilities have made him into a qualified spokesman for the team.

Community Since he has stepped foot on the UConn campus, Erickson has been ready to help in any way that he can. He has assisted with skating lessons at the Mark E. Freitas Ice Forum (UConn's hockey rink) as well as other places in the community. He has also helped to run youth clinics held throughout the area.

Competition Erickson is currently ranked sixth in career assists at the division I level for UConn. During his freshman season, he ranked fifth in points scored among UConn freshmen with 21. He tallied 16 assists (third among UConn freshmen) and five goals for the Huskies during his freshman season and for his efforts was named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie team. In 2006-07, during his sophomore campaign, he racked up one goal and another 18 assists. Before he was injured during his junior year, he had already racked up three goals and eight assists in only 13 games played. Erickson has played in 92 games over his career, playing in each and every game his freshman and sophomore year before his injury last season. Shane Connelly (University of Wisconsin)

Classroom Shane has been named to the All-WCHA Academic Team and the Academic All-Big Ten Team

Character Shane is just a nice guy. Very easy to get along with and always willing to help out with interviews, moving equipment, etc.

Community Connelly makes trips with the team during the second semester of each season to the UW Children's Hospital

Competition A two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week and 2008 Winter Carnival MVP, Connelly has five career shutouts, one away from fifth on the all-time UW list. He stopped 43 shots, the second most in a UW shutout, for a 4-0 win over North Dakota (11/9/07). Trevor Hyatt (Alaska)

Classroom Trevor maintains a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and was a 2008 Rhodes Scholar Nominee. He has been present on the Chancellor's List (4.0 GPA), every semester enrolled (seven) and has received the UAF Athletic Department 3.0 Plus Award, every semester enrolled (seven). Hyatt is a member of Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society) and has received numerous additional academic honors including: Outstanding Engineering Sophomore Award (Top of sophomore class), the Dr. William R. Wood Scholar Athlete of the Year 2006/2007/2008 (Hockey), and the Alaska Hockey, Dirk Anderson Student Athlete Award 2006/2007/2008. Trevor was also tabbed a CCHA Scholar-Athlete for 2006/2007/2008.

Character In addition to serving as a member of Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society), Hyatt also belongs to Chi Epsilon (National Civil Engineering Honor Society), and ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) member. He has devoted his summers to internships the past two summers, working the British Petroleum Engineering Internship during the Summer of 2008 and the Flint Hills Resources Project Engineering Internship during the Summer of 2007. Due to his strong character as a student, athlete, and person, Trevor was named a 2007 Hockey Humanitarian Nominee. Hyatt is known to lead by example on and off the ice with his strong character, positive attitude and never-say-die work ethic

Community Trevor remains active in his community, serving on the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee (male student-athlete representative) and as an Unity Council Class Representative for Hockey Team. He also takes time to volunteer for multiple organizations including: Big Brother with Big Brother Big Sisters of Fairbanks, Habitat for Humanity volunteer four years in a row, UAF Student Notebook Project Volunteer (http://www.uaf.edu/admissions/notebook/), and the University of Alaska Viewbook Volunteer (http://www.alaska.edu/gotocollege/). His volunteer work also extends to a local assisted living home where he visits several times a month and as a volunteer coach with the Northern Knights Squirt Tier II Youth Hockey Team. Hyatt also makes time during his busy schedule to act as a river guide in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Competition Hyatt has eight goals and eight assists good for 16 points in 96 career games and was the recipient of the Alaska Hockey/Dean Fedorchuck Most Improved Player Award for the 2006-07 season. Additionally, Trevor has been one of a handful of Alaska players to don a rotating assistant captain's letter (A) this season. Zach McKelvie (United States Military Academy)

Classroom Zach is majoring in Management/Systems Engineering and will join the Infantry branch of the Army following graduation. He is a Dean's List student and was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Academic team in all three seasons.

Character McKelvie serves as the Brigade Athletics Officer, a leadership position within the Corps of Cadets and earned the Dicenzo Award as the Best Platoon Leader at Camp Buckner while training cadets. He adbides by the West Point motto, "I will not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do," and according to one of his professors: "(Zach) is one of the most impressive cadets I taught this year. He is bright, energetic, studious, and extremely professional. He manages to balance his academic requirements with a very demanding hockey schedule and still bring positive energy and enthusiasm into the classroom. Zach will be a fantastic Army lieutenant and I hope I have the chance to serve with him again someday."

Community In addition to his position as the Brigade Athletics Officer, Zach is a six-year veteran hockey school instructor, working with players ages 4-18 to improve their games. He has spent the past three years assisting with the Junior Black Knights,a local youth hockey organization, and is currently working with the Army head coach and a local youth hockey team. His role with the youth team is to help teach character and build respect. The players he is coaching will be submitting essays to Zach who will grade them and choose a winner.

Competition McKelvie is a two-year team captain and was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Defenseman of the Year as a junior. He is a first-team Atlantic Hockey Association all-star and has played in more than 105 career games, more than any other player on the team. He is listed with the first defensive pairing since sophomore season and is a member of both the power play and penalty kill units. Zach Miskovic (St. Lawrence)

Classroom A double major in Fine Arts and Mathematics, Zach intends to pursue graduate work in architecture after (or in off season) a professional hockey career. Last semester, Zach was one of two players on the men's hockey team to earn Dean's List honors.

Character A team leader on and off the ice, Zach is at the forefront of team community service initiatives. He is also one of the most cooperative players in recent history in terms of meeting with the media and other team public relations functions

Community Miskovic participates in team programs which includes a Christmas food drive and helping serve the needy at holiday dinners sponsored by the area churches. Zach also volunteers as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army during the holiday season and has worked with local youth hockey groups.

Competition The only defenseman to be named Player of the Week in the ECAC as a junior, Zach repeated that early in his senior season. He was a third-team All ECAC selection as a junior and has never missed a game in his St. Lawrence career. He led the team in scoring by defensemen last season with eight goals and 13 assists. Zach Pelletier (Ohio State University)

Classroom Zach, a dean's list student. completed his bachelor's degree in four years, earning a B.S. in Criminology in Spring 2008 and is now working toward a degree in International Studies.

Character Zach joined the Buckeye team as a walk-on and has evolved into the team's captain as a fifth-year senior (voted on my his teammates). He played in just one game as a freshman but saw action in 49 games over the next two seasons. He suffered a broken leg in the preseason entering his senior year and used a redshirt to sit out the season and rehabilitate the injury. He was in the weight room and training room all the time, working to get back to the shape he was in before the injury. In order to improve his game on the ice, Zach spends hours in the team's off-ice shooting room and practicing stick handling, outside of the team's practice.

Community As a member of the hockey team, Pelletier has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House, the Second and Seven Foundation (reading to elementary students) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk.

Competition Although he doesn't appear on the scoresheet often, Pelletier makes a big impact on the ice in other ways, as he is known for game-changing hits and tough play. He has played both defense and forward for the squad throughout his time at Ohio State.