WALTHAM, Mass. – A second consecutive Atlantic Hockey championship season was capped off with the annual year-end banquet, giving the group a chance to gather and announce its team award winners.
Leading Scorer-Jake Black
Black led the Falcons in both goals (19) and points (41) in his senior season. He notched five game-winning goals, including in game one of the Atlantic Hockey quarterfinals against Mercyhurst.
Rookie of the Year-Lukas Swedin
Swedin had an outstanding rookie year in goal for the Falcons. He posted a 14-7-4 record with a .917 save percentage. He had a perfect 5-0 record in the AHA playoffs with a .939 save percentage and two shutouts.
He was named to the AHA All-Tournament team and the AHA All-Rookie team. He was a two-time AHA Goalie of the Week during the regular season.
Most Improved Player-Nicholas Bevilacqua
Bevilacqua was the AHA Goaltending Champion for having the best save percentage in conference games, at .940. Overall, he posted a 9-2-1 record with a .935 save percentage in 12 starts. During the regular season, he was a two-time AHA Goalie of the Week.
Best Defensive Player-Colton Cameron
A junior from Cloverdale, British Columbia, Cameron's efforts helped Bentley lead the AHA in fewest goals allowed per game (2.35) for the third straight campaign. Cameron was a fixture on the penalty kill units, which ended the season with the 16
th best percentage in the nation (82.6).
Ernest Shackleton Endurance Award-Garrett Horsager
Presented for the first time, this award is given to a player who endured and overcame a hardship either on or off the ice. The award is named after Ernest Shackleton, whose sailing voyage to Antarctica was chronicled in the book
Endurance
Horsager overcame an injury and returned for the second half of the season. His presence greatly boosted the team's defensemen corps, and he played a key role in the team's championship run.
Most Valuable Player-Jake Black
In addition to being the team's leading scorer, Black was lauded by the coaching staff for his dedication to becoming a true two-way player.
Black racked up the accolades in his senior season. He was named first team All-Conference and was a finalist for the AHA Forward of the Year Award. In January, he was selected as the National Forward of the Month and at the end of the season was voted a New England Hockey Writers All-Star.
Falcon Award-Stephen Castagna
For the third straight season,
Stephen Castagna is the Falcon Award winner, which is presented to the player that best exemplifies the values of giving, selflessness, and being a good teammate.
The team captain this season, Castagna was the rare player who was elected to be part of a team's leadership group for three seasons. Beginning in his sophomore season, Castagna was an assistant captain for two seasons before wearing the C on his jersey as a senior.
Castagna was named second team All-Conference this season with 11 goals and 20 assists. He finished his career at Bentley as a two-time Atlantic Hockey champion.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Castagna presented
Kellan Hjartarson with a C on his jersey as next season's captain. A rising senior, Hjartarson was an assistant captain this year. He was voted Atlantic Hockey's Best Defensive Forward and notched 34 points on 10 goals and 24 assists.
