April 17, 2010

Photo Gallery

OXFORD, Ohio -- Four Miami seniors were honored Saturday night at Shriver Center as the Miami Hockey Program held its Night of Celebration. Sophomore goaltender Cody Reichard highlighted the awardwinners as he was named the Gary DeLonge Most Valuable Player for the 2009-10 season.

Reichard, the CCHA Player of the Year and a first-team all-league selection, was the national leader in goals-against average (1.87) and winning percentage (.788/19-4-3), while ranking ninth in save percentage (.921). He bested other nominees Tommy Wingels and Andy Miele, who took home honors in other categories.

Wingels claimed the Blue Line Club Award, while Miele won the Oustanding Offensive Player Award. Sophomore Will Weber was named Outstanding Defensive Player, while linemate and freshman Joe Hartman won the Rookie of the Year Award. Justin Vaive was honored as the Steve Cady Most Improved Player.

Jarod Palmer won the Berry Family Outstanding Senior Award, while all four seniors shared Scholar-Athlete awards for grade-point averages of 3.0 or better. Each of the seniors -- Dane Hetland, Gary Steffes, Brandon Smith and Palmer -- drew tears and laughs during the senior speeches.

But the most emotional moments of the banquet came during a video tribute to team manager Brendan Burke, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Feb. 4. The senior was honored posthumously with the Jim Grant "7th Player Award" for dedication to the program in a support role. Burke's brother, Patrick, and mother, Kerry, were in attendance to accept the award.

The annual awards banquet was sponsored by the Blue Line Club, Miami's hockey support group.