Three Atlantic conference players capture U SPORTS men's hockey major awards

CHARLOTTETOWN (U SPORTS) – AUS athletes have captured three major awards in U SPORTS men's hockey. The announcement was made on Wednesday night at the All-Canadian Awards Ceremony at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward in Charlottetown, the host city of the 2023 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup.

Samuel Richard of UNB has been named the winner of the Clare Drake Trophy as rookie of the year. Matt Welsh of Saint Mary's has won the Dr. Randy Gregg Award for student-athlete community service; and Troy Lajeunesse of UPEI has earned the R.W. Pugh Trophy for most sportsmanlike player.

Other major award winners from other conferences include Simon Lafrance of the UQTR Patriotes, who won the Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy as the most outstanding player of the year; Connor Hobbs of Saskatchewan, who was named Defenceman of the Year; Nathan Torchia of Windsor, who was named Goaltender of the Year; and Calgary's Mark Howell, who won the Father George Kehoe Memorial Award as the Fox40 Coach of the Year.

Several Atlantic conference athletes were among the players named U SPORTS all-Canadians and all-rookies. 

The 2023 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup gets underway on Thursday afternoon at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, and play continues through to the gold medal game, which is set for 7 p.m. (Atlantic Time) on Sunday. All eight games of the tournament can be viewed on CBC Sports digital platforms (English) and at usports.ca (French). 

Read the complete U SPORTS release here.

Clare Drake Trophy (rookie of the year) – Samuel Richard, UNB

Samuel Richard started 22 games for the UNB REDS this season, posting a 1.59 goals-against average, the lowest in U SPORTS, as he recorded a nation-leading 18 wins. His 0.933 save percentage was third in the country, and his 1319 minutes played was fourth in U SPORTS.

The Ste-Catherine, Qué., product was named U SPORTS men's hockey player of the week on Nov. 16, 2022, after stopping 42 of 43 shots in a pair of wins over Acadia. The former Rouyn-Noranda Husky was named a Second Team All-Canadian, the only rookie to earn All-Canadian honours this year.

In the playoffs, he played every minute for UNB, posting a 2.51 GAA and a 0.885 save percentage as he led the REDS to the AUS title.

Other nominees: Jonathan Lemieux (Concordia), Jakin Smallwood (Alberta)

R.W. Pugh Trophy (most sportsmanlike player) – Troy Lajeunesse, UPEI

In his fourth season with the UPEI Panthers, Lajeunesse led the Panthers in both goals (15) and points (30). His 30 points were good for fourth in the Atlantic conference.

The Arts student from Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, played in 28 games for UPEI and took 108 shots while picking up just six minor penalties all season.

In addition to being named the country's most sportsmanlike player, Lajeunesse has also been named a Second Team All-Canadian.

The only UPEI player to be honoured with the national award is former Panthers standout Joel Ward, who won the award in 2004-05 and then went on to play 11 seasons in the NHL, retiring from the San Jose Sharks in 2018.

"We are very proud of Troy and this award. It is so well deserved. Troy is so committed and driven and plays the game the right way," said UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson. "He is being honoured for sportsmanship, but this award is given to an elite player that plays with sportsmanship, and that is why Troy has been recognized."

Other nominees: Kyle Pettit (Western), Matt Fonteyne (Alberta)

Dr. Randy Gregg Award (student-athlete community service) – Matt Welsh, Saint Mary's

Matt Welsh of the Saint Mary's Huskies started in 14 games this season and finished with a .904 save percentage. He was also selected to represent his country at the 2023 FISU Winter World University Games held in Lake Placid, NY, in January, where he brought home a gold medal as a member of Team Canada.

A commerce student from Halifax, N.S., aiming to pursue an MBA, Welsh, 24, has been named to the Dean's list and is a two-time Academic All-Canadian.

Welsh is a player-ambassador for Hockey Gives Blood, an organization promoting blood, plasma and stem cell donation in partnership with Canadian Blood Services. As part of this volunteer role, Welsh has organized blood drives and promoted the organization on social media platforms.

Welsh, who spent five years with the Charlottetown Islanders, was given the Dayna Brons Honorary Award in 2020 for an individual in the hockey community who exhibits outstanding dedication towards patients who rely on blood and stem cell products in Canada. 

He also won the 2021-22 Saint Mary's University Male President's Trophy for Academic and Athletic Achievement.

Welsh is the third Saint Mary's player, following David Chant (2006) and Steven Gallace (2001), to win the award.

Other nominees: Duncan Campbell (Queen's), Connor Blake (Mount Royal)

First team All-Canadians
(*Atlantic conference athletes in bold)

Second team All-Canadians

All-Rookie Team

Source: U SPORTS Communications