NESCAC Men's Ice Hockey All-Conference Teams Announced

Katsuras of Hamilton Named Player of the Year

HADLEY, Mass. – Junior forward Gus Katsuras of Hamilton was selected as the 2004-05 NESCAC Men’s Ice Hockey Player of the Year as voted by the conference coaches. Katsuras, a second-team selection each of the last two seasons, leads the nation in game winning goals (7) and is tied for the NESCAC lead in goals (22), points (39), and power play points (16).

Katsuras currently shares the conference points lead with two other first team selections, Trinity senior Joseph Ori and Amherst senior Beau Kretzman. Ori, the conference leader in assists (28), earned his second consecutive first-team honor while leading Trinity to a 20-2-2 overall mark. Kretzman, the 2001-02 NESCAC Rookie of the Year, was chosen as a member of the all-conference first or second team for the fourth straight season. The Amherst senior ended his collegiate campaign with 143 career points including 15 goals and 24 assists this season.

Colby senior Patrick Walsh and Trinity junior Brendan Timmins were both repeat first-team selections at the defender position. Timmins, ranked seventh nationally in defensive scoring, contributed four goals and 16 assists to a high scoring Trinity offense which averaged 5.62 goals per game. Walsh scored 11 times from his defensive position including a NESCAC leading nine times on the power play.

Rounding out the first team selections is Trinity senior goaltender Douglas Kisielius. Kisielius, a three-time all-conference first team choice in goal, ranks fourth in the nation with a .842 winning percentage and ninth nationally with a . 915 save percentage.

The conference also honored Amherst forward Kyle Schoppel as the NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Schoppel led all NESCAC first year players in scoring posting 16 goals, including a conference-leading four shorthanded goals, and 18 assists for 34 points.

John Dunham, in his 31st year as head coach of Trinity, was selected as the NESCAC Coach of the Year. The Bantams ended the regular season as the NESCAC top seed for the first time in tournament history posting a 15-2-2 league mark. Dunham currently has 399 career wins, third among all active NCAA Division III coaches and sixth all time. Dunham was also named NESCAC Coach of the Year following the 2002-03 season.

Trinity, who will meet Bowdoin (11-5-3) in the first semifinal game at 1:00 p.m., will host the semifinals of the conference tournament on Saturday, March 5. Middlebury (13-4-2) will play Colby (12-6-1) in the second semifinal at 4:00 p.m. The winners of Saturday’s contests will meet for the NESCAC Championship on Sunday, March 6 at 1:00 p.m.

NESCAC all-conference selections are determined in a vote by the conference coaches.