Unfinished business
The USU hockey team’s season-ending banquet at Hamilton’s on Wednesday was part award ceremony and part farewell to three seniors, but mostly it was a springboard for next season. The evening’s theme could have easily been “Unfinished Business.”
Although the Aggies rewrote their record books and had players lead the nation in goals, assists and points, and although the team had its best record ever, the season’s defining moment was the crushing home-ice loss to Colorado University at Regionals.
Assistant Coach Ned Hilliard delivered a stirring speech, vowing be tougher on the players and to whip the team into shape next year. Head Coach Jerry Crossley also told the team they should not be satisfied with where they ended up, sitting at home for the ACHA Nationals. Crossley noted two teams – Eastern Washington and Colorado State – that USU tied and beat respectively, made it to the ACHA final four.
“We got through this every year. At the end of the banquet they always talk about next season. I’m really excited about next season because they’ve got sophomores coming back and great leaders. It’s never about the present, it’s always about the past and future of USU hockey,” ????????????ID??????????Robert Hashimoto said.
After a meal, the USU coaching staff – Crossley, Hilliard, team manager Jon Eccles and team doctor Jim Davis – handed out team awards.
To kick things off, Will Winsa, Terry Camp and Ryan Hammonds were recognized as members of the 3.0 GPA Club. Walter Voisard was then recognized for achieving 4.0 GPAs. Hashimoto was recognized as an honorary member of the 4.0 Club.
The team’s vote for Most Valuable Player resulted in a tie between goalie Greg Finatti and wing Kent Arsenault. Finatti was a wall in net this year, while Arsenault scribbled his name all over nearly every major offensive statistical category.
Freshman Terry Camp received the Most Improved Player award, which Crossley said he locked up by scoring a breakaway goal against BYU on March 1.
Jordan Francom was the next player to receive an award, walking away with a new hood ornament, the Raging Bull award, which is presented annually to the best blood-and-guts player. Francom also won the Best Defenseman award.
Arsenault swept the next three awards, winning plaques for Most Goals, Most Points and Rookie of the Year.
Commenting on the crowded field of rookies who played for USU this year, Hashimoto said, “If Geer would have come last year, he could have gotten it, if Mickea (Filander) would have come next year he could have gotten it. So many good players are coming back next year. There’s a strong foundation.”
The two Swedish forwards, Michael Filander and Will Winsa, split the Utility Player award after both skated on the top line, played penalty kill and power play all season.
“What I noticed is, Swede and I weren’t getting scored on a lot this year. We probably have one of the best plus/minuses on the team this year. It’s because of Swede and Mickea playing great defense. Swede playing center helped a lot because he blocked the front of the net,” Hashi said of his Swedish linemates.
Hashimoto won the Assist Leader award after leading the nation in assists. Arsenault won his fourth plaque with the Best Forward award.
Next Francom, Finatti and Hashimoto received Record Breaker awards for rewriting the USU records for points by a defenseman, saves and assists respectively. Arsenault’s team-high plaque collection also continued to pile up as he was honored for breaking the single-season goals and single-season points records.
“Kent deserves all five of those awards. He worked hard this season,” Hashi said.
Hashimoto, the ace student and model citizen, was the recipient of the Coaches Award, and all the prizes had been distributed but one. Hashi said this award from the coaching staff meant the most to him because “every year only one person can get the Coaches Award. It’s neat to be appreciated for working hard the last five years.”
As a hush fell over the banquet room, senior Roberto Leo stood in front of the team with a trophy for “a real special lady, Joan Francom.”
As the room erupted in cheers, Francom came back up to receive the trophy on behalf of his mom. “This is the best trophy I have ever received in my life,” he said.
Leo said it was something he felt he had to do.
“I felt that I needed to bring the trophy to the awards ceremony and give it up to Joan Francom because she’s the greatest hockey mom in the universe,” Leo said.