BOSTON, Mass. - The New England Hockey Writers All-Star teams and awards have been finalized after tallying votes from all Division II & III coaches and respective media outlets throughout New England. Curry College seniors Ryan Barlock and Payden Benning have been named as 2011-12 New England Men’s Division II/III All-Stars.
Jonathan LaRose of Amherst was named the Division II/III New England MVP. LaRose appeared in 22 contests in the 2011-12 season, turning in a sterling .943 save percentage and a 1.55 goals against average. His save percentage led all DII/III goalies, as did his five shutouts. Overall, LaRose compiled a 19-2-1 record for the Lord Jeffs. The Boyle, Alberta native was also named, NESCAC, AHCA and USCHO Division III player of the year. LaRose leaves Amherst with a .943 save percentage, the program’s highest of all-time.
LaRose’s coach, Jack Arena, was selected the Division II/III New England Coach of the Year after leading Amherst to a 24-4-1 mark, including a 17-1-0 record in NESCAC conference play, the best single season conference record in program history. Arena guided the Lord Jeffs to the NESCAC title and the program’s first ever berth into the national semifinals. Amherst won its second NESCAC title in four years and reached its third NCAA Tournament under Arena this season. Arena also received the Edward Jeremiah Award, given annually to the DIII Men’s Ice hockey Coach of the Year.
The Men’s Division II/III team is comprised of three netminders, six defenseman and nine forwards. Nine of the eighteen members were named to the AHCA All-American squads, including DII/III’s top scoring forward and defenseman.
LaRose is joined by netminders Jack Astedt of Plymouth State and Tufts’ Scott Barchard. Astedt finished second only two LaRose among DII/III netminders with four shutouts and was 20th in the nation with a 2.28 GAA. Barchard finished 17th nationally with a .922 save percentage for the Jumbos.
The six defenseman named to the All-New England squad are highlighted by Curry’s Ryan Barlock, a first-team All-American who led all DII/III defenseman in scoring with 40 points this season. Joining Barlock is fellow first team All-American Justin Troiani of Williams, and second teamer Jordan Lalor of Bowdoin. Troiani finished eight among DII/III defenseman in scoring, while Lalor came in at fifth.
Jeremiah Ketts leads the way for the nine forwards on the team. The Johnson & Wales star led all DII/III players in scoring with a 20-33-53 scoring line, finishing the year as the only player in the nation to average more than two points a game. Fellow All-Americans, Pierre-Olivier Cotnoir and Kyle Thomas of Norwich, UMass Dartmouth’s Mike Owens and Castleton’s Nick Lazorko join the first team All-American Ketts on the squad.
John ‘Jocko’ Connolly, long-time scribe for The Boston Herald, will be honored with the Parker/York Award for Contribution to New England Hockey. Connolly is the second member of The Boston Herald to earn the award as George Carens won the same merit in 1961 when the publication was called The Boston Traveler. Connolly is the fifth member of the media to take home the award.
This year’s banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at the Prince Restaurant in Saugus, Mass. The banquet will start at 6 p.m. All awards and All- Star teams will be presented at the gala. All coaches, student-athletes, family members and friends are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s banquet. Contact Pete Souris (psouris@hockeyeastonline.com) at (781) 245-2122 for information on attending this event. Cost is $40 per person.
For more complete listings of All-Stars and awards, including extensive archives, check www.newenglandallstars.com.
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