HAMILTON, N.Y.— The Colgate men's hockey team held its year-end banquet on Monday evening to honor and recognize the program's seniors and award-winners.
Seniors Mitch Benson, Griffin Lunn, Jeff Stewart, Andrew Farrier and Will Friend were presented with their jerseys at the banquet.
All the awards except the Best Offensive Player and Coaches Award were voted on by members of the team.
Best Offensive Player: Colton Young
Dan Coley "Barrell" Award (Best Defenseman): Tommy Bergsland
Best Defensive Player: Mitch Benson
Rob Ries Memorial Award: Paul McAvoy and Mitch Benson
Steve Riggs Memorial Award: Josh McKechney
Whit Williams Award: Mitch Benson
Terry Slater Trophy: Griffin Lunn
Coaches Award: Will Friend
BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER – Colton Young
After leading the team with 32 points, Colton Young was named Best Offensive Player. The junior recorded a team-high 15 goals this season to go along with 17 assists. He finished tied for fourth in ECAC Hockey in goals and tied for fifth in points. He also had four game-winning goals for the Raiders.
DAN COLEY "BARRELL" AWARD – Tommy Bergsland
First-year blueliner Tommy Bergsland was honored with the Dan Coley "Barrell" Award, given to the team's best defenseman. Bergsland played in all 40 of Colgate's games this season, recording 11 points with four goals and seven assists. He also finished second on the team in blocked shots with 46. Bergsland was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week on Oct. 11 after recording two assists against Vermont on Oct. 8 and helping the Raiders to two wins over the Catamounts that weekend.
Dan Coley arrived at Colgate in the early 1940's from the Nichols School in Buffalo, New York. He was the captain of Colgate's undefeated hockey team during the 1946-47 season. Following his graduation, he returned to Buffalo where he played semi-professional hockey and coached as well. He passed away in 1982 after a battle with cancer. The Silver Puck Award was given in Dan's memory in 1983. Friends and family continue to remember him through the establishment of the Dan Coley Award.
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER – Mitch Benson
Senior goalie Mitch Benson earned Best Defensive Player after finishing third in the conference in save percentage at .922. He also recorded a 2.39 goals-against average and had eight games with 30-plus saves. He finished the season with a 10-7-3 record.
ROB RIES MEMORIAL AWARD – Paul McAvoy and Mitch Benson
The Rob Ries Memorial Award is given to the player who provided the most inspiration and leadership to the team.
Forward Paul McAvoy earned the honor for the second year in a row. He laced up for 29 games this season, recording eight points with two goals and six assists. A two-year captain for the Raiders, McAvoy proved himself as a leader in the program.
After missing his junior year due to injury, Mitch Benson came back stronger than ever for Colgate this season. The Windsor, Ontario native posted a 1.83 GAA in the ECAC Hockey playoffs, helping the Raiders make a run to the semifinals. He finished his career with 1,927 saves which rank 10th all-time in program history.
As a right wing, Rob "Rocket" Ries served the Red Raiders for three seasons from 1974-77. Just before his last final exam of his junior year, Ries was killed in a car accident just outside of Hamilton. He was known as a player that everyone counted on and one that gave 110% at all times. Many knew him as a loyal friend and a unique and spirited person. Aside from hockey, he was involved with his education courses and volunteered his time with needy and disabled children both in Hamilton and at home in Stillwater, Minnesota. His many friends and family continue to remember him and honor his time at Colgate with the Rob Ries Memorial Award.
STEVE RIGGS MEMORIAL AWARD – Josh McKechney
The Steve Riggs Memorial Award is given to the player who is most known for gentlemanly play and possesses a high standard of ability. The honor was presented to senior Josh McKechney for the fourth straight year. Voted as a captain this season, McKechney played in all 40 of the Raiders' games tallying 27 points with 14 goals and 13 assists. Additionally, his 394 faceoff wins ranked 16th best in the nation.
Steve Riggs came to Colgate from Potsdam, New York, and played for the Red Raiders from 1962 until his graduation in 1965. During most of his stay at Colgate, he led the team in points, goals, and assists, and is one of Colgate hockey's all-time scoring leaders. He is known for his gentlemanly style of play which contributed a great deal to the success of his team. He was a leader in many ways: as a friend, a teammate, the 1964-65 team captain and later as a high school hockey coach. In 1968 he was killed in Vietnam while serving as a lieutenant in the Army. Since then, his friends and family have established the Steven Riggs Memorial Scholarship and have contributed funds for the men's varsity locker room, which was dedicated in his name at the 25th reunion of the Class of 1965.
WHIT WILLIAMS AWARD – Mitch Benson
The Whit Williams Award is presented annually to the player, who through his commitment, has improved the most over his career or season. Mitch Benson was honored with the award after posting a career-best 10 wins this season. His .575 win percentage also ranked third-best in ECAC Hockey.
Whit graduated from Colgate in 1943 and served for several years as an Army Air Force pilot. During his student years at Colgate, he played football, baseball, and hockey and remained active as an alumnus as a member of Colgate's Alumni Corporation Board of Directors, Maroon Council Reunion Program Committee, and of course, served as a member of Colgate's Silver Puck Organization for 25 years where he was president from 1977 until the time of his death. He was recognized for his service with a Maroon Citation in 1977, the Silver Puck Award in 1979, and in 1999 he was awarded the Gold Puck.
TERRY SLATER TROPHY – Griffin Lunn
The Terry Slater Trophy is given to the senior whose performance, leadership, and dedication on and off the ice, during his career, had the greatest impact on Colgate Hockey. Griffin Lunn was presented with the honor after serving as an alternate captain for the Raiders during his final season. Lunn had 19 points notching 12 goals and seven assists. He also scored three power play goals on the year.
Terry Slater served as head coach of the Raiders for 15 seasons from 1977 to 1992 and is known to be one of Colgate and college hockey's coaching legends. He passed away during the 1991-92 season and is fondly remembered by many. Under his leadership, the team won 251 games and in 1989-90 made it to the NCAA Championships. Slater was named ECAC and NCAA Coach of the Year in 1990, was twice honored as a Howard Hartman Award winner, and was the winner of the Silver Puck Award in 1987. To honor his time at Colgate, the Terry Slater Memorial Scholarship was established in 1992 to provide financial assistance for hockey players.
COACHES AWARD – Will Friend
The Coaches Award is presented to a player who is seen as an unsung hero and goes above and beyond for the program and his teammates. Senior goalie Will Friend was presented with the award for the second year in a row. Friend joined the Raiders as a walk-on during his first year and showed great dedication and commitment to the program during his four seasons. A physics and astronomy double major, Friend is a three-time Raider Academic Honor Roll and ECAC Hockey All-Academic selection. He has also been chosen as an ACHA All-America Scholar twice.
