After a 15-1-1 regular season conference record, it would only seem natural that the Tufts hockey team would be showered with postseason accolades, and this proved true as four members of the hockey team were honored by the ECAC Northeast.

Leading the way was the top scorer in both the conference and the nation, junior Jason Boudrow, who was named Player of the Year in the conference as well as being placed on the first team All-ECAC. Senior tri-captain Dan Mahoney was also named to the first team, while freshman Pay Byrne made the all-freshman team and coach Brian Murphy was named co-Coach of the Year.

After winning the conference Rookie of the Year two years ago, Boudrow again proved to be a powerful scoring force, with 32 goals and 36 assists on the year for 68 points.

"He deserves all the awards he gets," Mahoney said. "He led the nation in scoring. He was the guy we looked to consistently for big goals. He came through again and again."

"Jason was so far and away the best forward in our league that his recognition was almost inevitable," Murphy said. "He plays in all situations: power play, penalty kill, and even strength. He will be a leader on this team next year, and I look forward to that."

Always in the right place at the right time, Boudrow scored at least a point in all but two of Tufts' games this season. He also proved durable, rebounding from injury in Iverson-like speed, exemplified by his return in the playoff game against Salve Regina, where he separated his shoulder. Sitting out only two shifts, Boudrow returned to score the game-tying goal in the eventual loss. Boudrow led the conference in goals and assists, finished second in powerplay goals (13), and seventh in shorthanded goals (4).

Mahoney also earned first-team honors after finishing second in defensemen scoring, with 27 points. He proved to be the key link in the Jumbo's stingy defensive unit this year. As a true selfless team leader, coupled with his skill on the ice, Mahoney received his second consecutive first team selection.

Byrne found his way into the Jumbos' attack quickly, and became a key goal-scorer in a potent offense. Named to the all-freshman team, Byrne was fourth in the league in freshman scoring with 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists). Third on the team in goals scored, the rookie should continue to improve with a year of experience under his belt.

"Pat came in and made the transition so well," Mahoney said. "He held his own among older, more mature, and more experienced players, and he was able to score a lot of big goals."

"Pat Byrne can score," Murphy said. "If he can get stronger, he is capable of being a 50 point guy every year. He was a terrific addition."

Finally, Murphy was tabbed as the co-Coach of the Year, after leading the team, ranked fifth in a preseason poll, to the best regular-season record in the league. A 1995 Tufts graduate, Murphy has returned to lead the Jumbos to a 43-26-3 record in his three seasons as head coach. This season's 17-6-1 overall record was the best for a Tufts Hockey team since the 1987-88 season.

"Murphy expects results, and I expected this type of success out of the program," Mahoney said. "In three years he has done amazing things. Even this year, when the pre-season polls ranked us fifth, coach Murphy knew the type of talent we had. He does a great job."

"Being named coach of the year is a tribute to my staff and players," Murphy said. "I think it recognizes what this team was able to accomplish this year and everyone should be proud of that. I look at it as the team of the year award."

Sharing the honors was Johnson & Wales coach, Lou Izzi, who led his team to a 14-2-1 regular season record and an appearance in the semifinals of the ECAC Northeast playoffs.

These four honors will be the last ECAC awards that any members of the hockey team ever receive, as Tufts will be competing in the NESCAC next season. Although the young core of the team will be returning, the transition will be difficult, as the NESCAC is regarded as the most competitive conference in the nation.