Saturday, March 17, 2012

SUNYAC REPORT ON ALL-AMERICANS

Four student-athletes from three SUNYAC schools were recognized by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) as 2012 Division III CCM Men's Hockey All-America East Team honorees as announced Thursday evening in conjunction with this weekend’s NCAA Division III Men’s Hockey Championships in Lake Placid.

The College at Brockport senior forward James Cody, Oswego State junior forward Jon Whitelaw, Plattsburgh defender Mike Grace and goalie Mathieu Cadieux were all named to the second team.

Cody, a first team all-SUNYAC and the conference Player of the Year, finished the 2011-2012 season with 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists). His 19 goals led the SUNYAC conference and his 34 points were fifth-most in the league. In 15 SUNYAC games this season, he scored 11 goals and had eight assists. Cody ranks among the all-time greats at Brockport as he finished his career with 116 total points, good enough for sixth on the career list.

Whitelaw leads the Lakers in points and goals with 41 and 19, respectively, while sitting in second place on the team with 22 assists. The First Team All-SUNYAC honoree has also posted seven power-play and four game-winning goals so far this season. The Lakers, who are 23-3-2, will face Amherst, which is 24-3-1, in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Championship in Lake Placid on Friday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. Oswego State earned its trip to Herb Brooks Arena by defeating Elmira, 5-0, in the quarterfinal round.

Grace garners the first all-American nod of his career. The Cardinal blueliner finished the season with a goal and 12 assists and was named Most Valuable Player of t he SUNYAC Tournament. Grace, who appeared in all 28 games, has provided a veteran presence on the nation's fourth-best defense that has allowed 56 goals and held its opponents to 2.00 goals per game.

Cadieux also receives his first all-American accolade after earning a spot on the SUNYAC First Team in his first season with the Cardinals. The sophomore goaltender finished the season with a 16-5-3 record, which included a 13-game unbeaten streak and three shutouts. The Oshawa, Ontario native is sixth in the nation in goals-against average (1.85) and ninth in save percentage (.928).


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