Three From NESCAC Named All-America by AHCA
Courtesy AHCA
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - Three men's ice hockey players from three separate NESCAC teams have been honored as All-America by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA), it was announced on Thursday evening prior to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championship.
On the AHCA All-America First Team were NESCAC Player of the Year and Sid Watson Award winner, given to the top player in Division III, Jonathan La Rose (Edmonton, Alberta) of Amherst and defenseman Justin Troiani (Woodbridge, Ontario) of Williams. Bowdoin defender Jordan Lalor (Needham, Mass.) landed on the Second Team.
La Rose, leads the NESCAC in every major goaltending category, boasting a 1.53 goals against average, a .943 save percentage that is the best in the nation, a 19-1-1 overall record, and five shutouts. Since surrendering seven goals in a 7-4 loss at Bowdoin on Jan. 6, his only setback of the year, La Rose has been nearly unbeatable between the pipes, allowing just 11 goals over his next 13 appearances for an impressive .968 save percentage during that stretch - all wins.
La Rose made a season-high 42 stops in a 3-1 victory at Williams on Feb. 18, then came back the following day and turned aside 30 shots in a 2-1, come-from-behind win at Middlebury. Already the NCAA record holder for the best save percentage in a single season after posting a .956 mark during the 2008-09 campaign, the same season Amherst won its first NESCAC crown, La Rose could add the career save percentage record to his resume when his time with the Lord Jeffs is complete (.943).
In addition to being named NESCACPlayer of the Year, La Rose earned a spot on the All-NESCAC First Team. He was chosen to the Second Team in 2009. La Rose backboned the Jeffs to their second conference crown and first national semifinal appearance this season.
Troiani earned All-Conference First Team honors for the second time in his career (2009). Troiani had his finest year in an Eph sweater, tallying nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points - all career-best figures - to rank tied for first among his teammates and second among NESCAC defenseman.
Lalor enjoyed a career year for the Polar Bears with 27 points on eight goals and 19 assists. Bowdoin's top playmaker, Lalor finished second among his teammates in points and first among league blue-liners. He was also among the six selections on the All-NESCAC First Team.
