Besinger, Horwitz, & Kucerovy Named Joe Concannon Award Semifinalists
BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott men’s ice hockey student-athletes Tommy Besinger (Milton, Mass.), Carter Horwitz (Tustin, Calif.) and Daniel Kucerovy (Bethel Park, Pa.) have all been named semifinalists for the 19th Joe Concannon Award, which is presented annually to the best American-born NCAA Division II/III hockey player in New England.
BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott men's ice hockey student-athletes Tommy Besinger (Milton, Mass.), Carter Horwitz (Tustin, Calif.) and Daniel Kucerovy (Bethel Park, Pa.) have all been named semifinalists for the 19th Joe Concannon Award, which is presented annually to the best American-born NCAA Division II/III hockey player in New England.
The Joe Concannon Award was established in 2001 shortly after the passing of the longtime writer for The Boston Globe, who had a great passion for the game of college hockey while always advocating strongly for amateur athletics.
TOMMY BESINGER | F | SR. | MILTON, MASS.
In 21 games played this season, Besinger has compiled six goals and 23 assists for 29 points.
Besinger currently ranks second in the conference in assists and sixth in points. Meanwhile, among all NCAA Division III skaters, Besinger is fifth in assists per game (1.10) and No. 18 in points per game (1.38).
CARTER HORWITZ | D | SR. | TUSTIN, CALIF.
Horwitz has registered seven goals (three game-winners) and 13 assists for 20 points in 22 games played this season.
Among all defensemen in the conference, Horwitz ranks first in goals, fourth in assists, and second in points. Nationally, Horwitz is positioned No. 10 overall in points per game (0.91) by defensemen.
DANIEL KUCEROVY | F | SR. | BETHEL PARK, PA.
In 21 games this year, Kucerovy has amassed 32 points via 13 goals and 19 assists.
Kucerovy currently ranks third in the conference in points, sixth in goals and fourth in assists. He also is positioned No. 10 in points per game (1.52), No. 19 in goals per game (0.62), and No. 12 in assists per game (0.90), nationally.
MORE ON THE JOE CONCANNON AWARD
Eighteen teams are represented in this year's list of candidates that includes eight players from the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), seven from the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), six from the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC), three from the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), and one from the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10).
The list of nominees includes 17 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies. Endicott, Massachusetts-Boston and Wesleyan led the way with three nominees each while the University of New England has two players on the list.
Nine of the 2019 nominees were semifinalists a year ago. They are UNE forwards Ryan Bloom and Brady Fleurent; Curry forward Zachery White; UMB defenseman Nick Albano and forward Nolan Redler; Trinity defenseman Liam Feeney; Fitchburg State forward Nick DiNicola; Western New England forward Matt O'Dea; and Worcester State forward Mike Moran.
"This is definitely among the greatest number of semifinalists we have ever had for the Concannon Award," said Gridiron Club Hockey Awards Committee chairman Tim Costello. "The exceptional level of play in each of the five conferences has showcased many outstanding hockey players worthy of consideration for nomination. It has been very challenging for the committee to reduce the list among so many outstanding performances this season. With extremely tight conference races, every player will be playing meaningful hockey in the upcoming weeks and showcasing their abilities in support of their team to separate themselves from this great field of nominees."
The Gridiron Club established the Joe Concannon Award in 2001 to honor Joe, a lifelong devotee of college hockey, former member of the Walter Brown Award Selection Committee and, as a journalist, a staunch advocate for the amateur athletes he knew and covered. A native of Litchfield, Connecticut, Joe graduated from Boston University in 1961. He served as sports information director (SID) at Holy Cross before joining the Boston Globe in the late 1960's to cover college sports. Joe declined frequent invitations by his editors to write about Boston's major professional sports teams, preferring to concentrate on the colleges, distance running and golf. He wrote the book Marathoning with Bill Rodgers and established the highly successful Litchfield Road Race in his hometown. Joe was a world traveler and was especially proud of his Irish heritage, frequently sojourning to the Emerald Isle. He passed away in 2000.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (14-6-2, 8-6-0 CCC) will play a home-and-home series against Wentworth this Friday (7 PM, road) and Saturday (6 PM, home, Senior Day).
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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)