Fortin And McGrath Named Semi-Finalists For Joe Concannon Award
Falcon pair selected among 30 NCAA D-II/III players
FITCHBURG, Mass. - The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston president Cheryl Duddy-Schoenfield announced the 30 semifinalists for the 21st Joe Concannon Award, presented annually to the best American-born NCAA Division II/III hockey player in New England on Tuesday.
With senior Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) and junior Hunter Fortin (Westerville, Ohio) among five players represented from the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC).
McGrath has posted 530 saves with a 2.06 goals against average and a .938 save percentage over 18 games played for the Green and Gold, while Fortin has witnessed a breakout season, currently leading the team in points with 26 and goal (13), while ranking third on team in assists with 13.
"After more than a year away from competition, it has been fantastic to see all the conferences back in action and at such a high level of play from the drop of the first puck" said Gridiron Club Hockey Awards Committee chairman Tim Costello. "It is amazing what the players, coaches and institutions have been able to do to get the games played and this year's nominees reflect the great commitment that all players across the region have to perfecting their craft and playing the game with passion and enthusiasm. The number of semifinalists matches our highest number from 2020, and many more were worthy of consideration for this year's award. It will be a challenge to pick a winner from this terrific field."
The Joe Concannon Award, established in 2001 after the late Joe Concannon, is presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England playing at the Division II or III level. Concannon, a native of Litchfield, Connecticut and graduate of Boston University, served as Sports Information Director (SID) at Holy Cross before joining the Boston Globe in the late 1960's. A former member of the Walter Brown Award Selection Committee, Concannon had been a staunch advocate for college hockey and the amateur athletes he covered before passing away in 2000.
The Gridiron Club will announce the finalists and winner of the 21st Joe Concannon Award in March, following league playoffs and before the start of the NCAA Frozen Four in Lake Placid, N.Y.
The Fitchburg State ice hockey team (16-5-0, 13-3-0 MASCAC) returns to action on Thursday as they travel to Westfield State to take on the Owls in MASCAC action, starting at 7:35 PM.
Portions of release courtesy of Tim Costello – Gridiron Club of Greater Boston