May 2, 2008

RUMFORD, R.I. - The Providence College men's hockey team announced its annual team awards on Thursday, May 1 during the team's 2008 Awards Banquet at the Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, R.I.

Senior forward Jon Rheault (Deering, N.H.) and junior defenseman Matt Taormina (Washington Township, Mich.) earned the Lou Lamoriello Most Valuable Player Award. Rheault is the only Friar to win the award three times. He led the team in scoring with a career-high 31 points on 17 goals and 14 assists. He finsihed with three game-winning goals and two short-handed tallies. Rheault recorded his 99th, 100th and 101st career points on February 9 against Vermont. His assist in the second period was his 100th career point as he became the 48th Friar to reach the 100-point mark. Rheault, who received Hockey East Honorable Mention accolades, finished his career with 105 career points, which is tied for 42nd all-time at PC.

Taormina, who totalled 18 points in his first two seasons at PC, finished the 2007-08 campaign ranked second on the team in scoring with a career-high 27 points on nine goals and 18 assists. He was the top scoring defenseman in Hockey East games as he recorded 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists). In addition, he finished tied for second in Hockey East with two short-handed goals and three game-winning tallies. He was named to the All-Hockey East Second Team and garnered All-New England accolades.

Ian O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.) took the Rev. Herman Schneider Award, which is given to the most valuable freshman. O'Connor played in every game and led all freshmen with 11 points on five goals and six assists. He scored the game-winning goal in a win at Boston College on February 29.

Sophomore Mark Fayne (Bourne, Mass.) earned the Ron Wilson Best Defensive Player Award for the second consecutive season. He becomes the first repeat winner since Nolan Schaefer won the award from 2002-04. Fayne played in all 36 games and recorded two goals and four assists.

Sophomores Ben Farrer (Calgary, Alberta) and Matt Germain (Rockland, Mass.) received the team's Thomas Eccleston, Jr. Unsung Hero Award. Farrer played in 25 games and recorded one goal and three assists for four points. His lone goal was the game winner against Northeastern on January 26. Germain played in all 36 games and totalled 10 points (one goal and nine assists). His nine assists led all freshmen.

Junior Kyle Laughlin (Gambrills, Md.) earned the team Academic Award for the third consecutive season. Laughlin, a philosophy major, played in all 36 games and recorded 17 points on seven goals and 10 assists.

In addition, the captains' awards were presented to co-captains Laughlin and Rheault as well as assistant captains Nick Mazzolini (Anchorage, Alaska) and Cody Wild (North Providence, R.I.). Head Coach Tim Army also announced two co-captains and two assistant captains for the 2008-09 team. Laughlin and John Cavanagh (Warwick, R.I.) will serve as co-captains, while Fayne and Taormina will be assistant captains.