Men's Ice Hockey | 4/15/2018 4:34:00 PM
The Mercyhurst men's hockey team had its annual postseason team award banquet eight players received awards, which were voted on by the team.
The eight awards given out were Most Valuable Player, Top Defensive Forward, Top Forward, Top Defenseman, Most Improved Player, Freshman of the Year, the Hustle Award and the Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Senior Brandon Wildung was named the Most Valuable Player. Wildung, a native of Nassau, Minn., earned a 20-10-4 record with a 2.81 goals against average and .918 save percentage in 35 games this season. He also recorded three shutouts and tallied three assists. Wildung recorded back-to-back 50 save nights, against nationally ranked Penn State. Wildung was named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Conference Second Team and was named the Atlantic Hockey Goalie of the Week once.
Redshirt-senior Jack Riley was named the team's Top Defensive Forward. Riley, a native of West Point, N.Y., recorded 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points in 37 games. Riley scored six power play goals, one shorthanded goal and three game-winning goals. He ended the season with a +8 rating and blocked 48 shots in the defensive zone. Riley became the 22ndplayer in Division I program history to record 100 points as a Laker. He also recorded his first career hat trick this season. Riley was named as the Atlantic Hockey Best Defensive Forward and to the Atlantic Hockey All-Conference Second Team. He was also named as the NCAA No. 1 Star of the week and Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week once.
Junior Derek Barach was named the Top Forward. Barach, a native of Glenmont, N.Y., led the Laker roster with 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points in 37 games this season. Barach tallied five power play goals and four game-winning goals. He ended the season with a +8 rating and was the 21stplayer and sixth junior in Division I program history to record 100 points. Barach was named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Conference Second Team and was named the Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week once.
Sophomore Joseph Duszak was named the Top Defenseman. Duszak, a native of Franklin Square, N.Y., picked up nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points in 35 games. Duszak scored one power play goal and three game-winning goals. He blocked 34 shots in the defensive zone and ended the season with a +8 rating. Duszak was named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Conference Second Team and was named the Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Week once.
Senior Bryan Sienerth was named as the team's Most Improved Player. Sienerth, a native of Erie, Pa., recorded a career high of 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 33 games, after recording only nine points in his first three seasons. Sienerth added four power play goals and one game-winning goal. He ended the season with a +10 rating and held a nine game point streak while recording five goals and 15 points. After not recording a point through the first eight games, Sienerth ended the season with eight multiple point nights. Sienerth was given the Atlantic Hockey Individual Sportsmanship Award.
Freshman Quinn Wichers was named the Freshman of the Year. Wichers, a native of Metcalfe, Ont., tallied three assists and blocked 45 shots in the defensive zone in 30 games. He ended the season with the team's highest plus/minus rating, with a +12.
Senior Michael Verboom was given the Hustle Award. Verboom, a native of Iona Station, Ont., scored three goals and added seven assists for 10 points in 37 games. He blocked 12 shots in the defensive zone.
Junior Joshua Lammon earned the Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. Lammon, a native of Jackson, Mich., had the highest GPA on the team. He also had eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 37 games.
