DENVER - The University of Denver men's hockey team announced its annual award Saturday night at the 45th Annual Hockey Banquet.
Freshmen Ryan Caldwell (DeLoraine, Manitoba) and Connor James (Calgary, Alberta) each shared the Barry Sharp Memorial Award given each year to the team's top freshman. Both Caldwell and James had tremendous seasons for Denver. Caldwell led all Pioneer defensemen with 23 points and tied for the team lead with 20 assists. Caldwell was named WCHA Rookie of the Week on February 26 following a great weekend against Alaska Anchorage and capped his freshman campaign by being named to the WCHA All-Rookie team. James, who struggled during the first half of the season, showed during the second half why he was named pre-season co-WCHA rookie of the year, as he led Denver with 20 points on six goals and 14 helpers during the Pioneers' last 20 games. He closed the season fourth on the team with 27 points on eight goals and 19 assists.
Sophomore Kevin Doell (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) received the Murray Armstrong Award given to the most improved player. Another skater who struggled during the Pioneers' first 18 games, he shifted into another gear down the stretch for Denver. After posting just three goals and three assists in the first half of the season, Doell finished the year strong, ending with nine goals and 10 helpers for a total of 19 points.
The 2000-01 Dr. Ralph Verploeg Award given to the most inspirational player was awarded to senior Neil Phippen (Aurora, Colo.). A four-year member of the Pioneers, Phippen saw action in just five career games. However, that never stopped him from being a leader both on and off the ice. He spent more time in the weight room preparing for the call than perhaps any other Pioneer skater.
Awarded with the Dr. Ken Bredesen Award for sportsmanship was junior Bryan Vines (Oakville, Ontario). One of Denver's most consistent defenseman, he was rarely caught out of position. That is evident by his stats over the last two seasons. No one of the Pioneers' top offensive weapons from the blueline, Vines always played smart in the defensive zone. Over the last two seasons, he led the team in fewest penalty minutes, posted a team-best plus-14 rating last year and tied for the team lead with a plus-13 this season. He also posted a career year in the scoring category this season as he notched career highs in goals (3) and points (10).
Denver's Dr. Art Mason Award given to the top scholar-athlete went to senior Bjorn Engstrom (Akarp, Sweden). In the class room, Engstrom carries a 3.89 grade point average in chemistry. Following his hockey career, he plans to attend medical school. Engstrom was also named to the WCHA all-academic team. On the ice, Engstrom was third on the team in scoring, posting 29 points on 14 goals and 15 assists. He led the team with six power play goals and four game-winning markers and became just the 81st skater in Pioneer history ot post 100 points, as he closed his career with 109.
The Keith Magnuson Award for the top defensive player went to a regular. Senior Judd Stauss (East Grand Forks, Minn.) took home the honor for the second consecutive season and the third time in his four-year career. Denver's captain, he led the Pioneers' blueline by logging perhaps the most minutes, while playing against the oppositions top offensive players. He closed the season with two goals and eight assists for 10 points. The 2000-01 Bob Martin Award for community service also went to no stranger of the honor. Senior Bryce Wallnutt (Colorado Springs, Colo.) took home his fifth straight honor. He has been involved in various community service projects such as Meals on Wheels, the North American Food Drive and has chaired a benefit for handicap skiers in Colorado. He has also spent numerous hours visiting hospitals and elementary schools. On the ice this season, he played in 13 games, posting two goals and one assist.
The Leading Scorer Award went to junior center Chris Paradise (St. Paul, Minn.). Paradise posted team highs in goals (17) and points (33). His 33 points this season was one more than his total over his first two seasons, combined, as he was strong all season. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Paradise was that he was playing his third position for Denver in his third season. He came to the Pioneers and played wing as a freshman, was moved to defense during his sophomore campaign before being moved to center this season.
The final team honor awarded at the banquet was the Bill Masterton Memorial Award, given the most valuable player. This year's accolade went to sophomore goaltender Wade Dubielewicz (Invermere, British Columbia). Dubielewicz was outstanding during the season as he posted a 12-10-3 record, a 2.30 goals against average and a .921 saves percentage. He broke a 28-year old record as his .921 saves percentage is the best ever posted in Denver history, topping the previous mark held by all-American Ron Grahame. He earned two WCHA player of the week honors, was named to the All-WCHA second team and won the 2000-01 WCHA goaltending title as he posted a sparkling 2.15 goals against average in WCHA-only action. Just a sophomore, Dubielewicz is on track to become Denver's all-time leader in career goals against average as well as saves percentage.
Denver's final award of the evening was the First Annual Distinguished Alumni Award. This award, given to the Pioneer hockey alum who has distinguished himself in his chosen field outside of hockey. This year's recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award went to Jack Smith. Smith played for the Pioneers from 1953 to 1956. He still stands 49th in the record book as he posted 116 points in just 80 games. And, Smith still holds a school record as he posted eight points in three goals and five assists in a single game (16-2 victory over Harvard on December 29, 1953).
