BOSTON – The Northeastern men's ice hockey team celebrated their achievements of the 2022-23 season at the year-end banquet held Wednesday evening at Matthew Arena.
 
The team reached 17 wins on the season, claimed the Huskies' fourth Beanpot title in the last five year, and finished ranked among the top-20 teams in the country (16).
 
Most Improved Player: Matt Choupani
Coming off his rookie season, Matt Choupani became a crucial component of the Huskies offensive this season. The sophomore tallied 19 points from ten goals and nine assists, seeing action in all 35 games this season. He recorded two multiple-point nights, including a season-high two goals to bring the Huskies back for a shootout victory over Providence back in February. He finished tied for the third most goals on the team, a plus-17 rating (3^rd best mark) and 23 blocks.
 
Unsung Hero: Jack Williams
Given to the player that shows up and performs every game, Jack Williams proved night after night that his teammates' success was more important than his own. The rookie recorded six goals and 11 assists for 17 points, playing in all 35 games this year. Following a two-point night (1g, 1a) in the Huskies' Frozen Fenway victory over #9/10 UConn, Williams tabbed Hockey East Player of the Week honors. The Maine native tallied 68 faceoffs wins, 16 blocks and 54 shots on goal.
 
'Everydayer' Award: Justin Hryckowian
Given to the player that brings his best effort and energy every day – in practice, in the weight room, and in games. Hryckowian, the Hockey East Best Defensive Forward and Second Team All-Star, finished the season leading the Huskies in assists (21) and was second on the team in points (36) and goals (15). An assistant captain for the Huskies, he led the league with 319 faceoff wins (4^th in the NCAA; 471), tied for first with a plus-19 rating and tied for second with four game-winning goals.
 
Rookies of the Year: Cam Lund and Hunter McDonald
Two newcomers to the program, Cam Lund and Hunter McDonald provided a spark to the Huskies in their debut seasons. 
 
Lund, a Hockey East All-Rookie Team selection, earned Player of the Week honors following a four-point weekend where he recorded his first career hat trick and scored the shootout winner against Boston College. The San Jose Sharks draft pick finished with 23 points from seven goals and 16 assists. Earning 12 starts this year, he recorded 88 shots on goal and 12 blocks. Lund was also named to the 2023 U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster by USA Hockey.
 
At the conclusion of the season, McDonald became the first-ever freshman to receive Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman honors. The Hockey East All-Rookie Team selection led the league with 65 blocked shots and was third in the country with 94 blocks. Playing in all 35 games, the Philadelphia Flyers draft pick tallied 14 points from one goal and 13 assists, scoring his first as a Husky in the Beanpot semifinal game, and was named Hockey East Defender of the Week twice.
 
Huskies Radio Award: Gunnarwolfe Fontaine
Given to the most exciting player, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine earned the award in fashion, tallying 30 points with ten goals and 20 assists. The Nashville Predators draft pick recorded eight multiple-point nights and had a team-high seven-game point streak, collecting three goals and five assists for a 1.1 points per game. His most memorable outing was easily his two-goal evening in the Beanpot championship game en route to the Huskies earning their eighth overall title over #9/10 Harvard.
 
Doghouse Fan Favorite Award: Devon Levi
Master Levi, a name that Husky fans grew to love in his two seasons in red and black. Highlighting his various accolades, Levi became the first-ever back-to-back recipient of the Mike Richter Award. In addition to being named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial award, a CCM/AHCA First-Team East All American, and New England Division I All-Star, Levi earned the following Hockey East accolades: Player of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and First Team All-Star.
 
Offensive MVP & Leading Scorer: Aidan McDonough
The back-to-back scoring and points leader, Aidan McDonough lit up the scoresheet in his senior season at Northeastern. The captain of this year's squad led the team with 20 goals and 38 points in 34 games played, while adding 18 assists. The active NCAA career leader in goals (66) and power-play goals (29), was named a CCM/AHCA First Team East All-American, Hockey East First Team All-Star and a New England Division I All-Star.
 
Defensive MVP: Devon Levi
Devon Levi's stats speak for themselves as he posted a .933 save percentage, the best mark in the country, and tallied 1,183 saves (3^rd best in NCAA). He led the Hockey East conference in six categories: goals against average (1.81), shutouts (6), saves (753), save percentage (.947), minutes played (1392:53) and wins (14 / T-1^st). Additionally, he set three career programs goaltending records for goals against average (1.90), save percentage (.942) and shutouts (16).
 
Don McKenney Coaches' Award: Jeremie Bucheler and Tyler Spott
Described by Fernie Flaman Head Coach Jerry Keefe as "exactly what we want in a Northeastern hockey player", Jeremie Bucheler and Tyler Spott consistently led by example on and off the ice.
 
Bucheler, a four-year defenseman for the Huskies, recorded ten points from one goal and nine assists. His lone season goal came en route to a 6-2 victory over New Hampshire. The Quebec native has also excelled off the ice during his tenure being named a two-time Hockey East All-Academic Team recipient. He finished his career with 89 blocked shots and a plus-31 rating as a member of the team's top defensive pairing.
 
A true grinder for the Northeastern Hockey program, Spott tallied 12 points from two goals and ten assists in 112 career games played. The senior recorded a plus-four rating, 20 shots on goal and 27 blocks, with a season-high five against Boston College, this season. In his tenure, he helped the Huskies claim two Beanpot titles, the program's first Hockey East Regular Season Championship title and a bid to the 2022 NCAA tournament.  
 
Fernie Flaman Award: Rob Moura
Every year the Fernie Flaman award is presented for an individual's dedication and commitment to the Northeastern hockey program, similar to its namesake, Fern Flaman. This year's award went to Rob Moura, who just wrapped his fifth full season as Head Equipment Manager for the men's hockey program, and 11^th season with Northeastern overall. A master's graduate of Northeastern University, Moura has become a crucial member of the program and university.
 
At the end of the banquet, it was announced by Jerry Keefe that Justin Hryckowian will serve as team captain for the 2023-24 season. Matt DeMelis, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine and Liam Walsh will serve as assistant captians.

#HowlinHuskies