Division III First Team & Awards

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division III level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select two teams of 3 Forwards, 2 Defensemen and 1 Goalie. Stay tuned tomorrow for Division II’s Honorable Mentions.

Skater of the Year- Jonathan Lovorn    Photo- Tyler Sizemore

SKATER OF THE YEAR: Jonathan Lovorn, Sr. (Newtown)

GOALIE OF THE YEAR: Matt Schoen, Jr. (EO Smith-Tolland)

DEFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Justin Gagnon, Sr. (EO Smith-Tolland)

OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Jonathan Lovorn, Sr. (Newtown)

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Nathan Deluca (Woodstock Academy)

COACH OF THE YEAR: Paul Esposito (Newtown)

RYAN BRENNAN ALL HEART AWARD: Will Smith, Baylee Johns & Thomas Burnham (Woodstock Academy)

These three will graduate and move on from Woodstock Academy but their impact will be felt for years. They are pioneers and hopefully, if Woodstock does well, they can look back and realize their vitality in kickstarting this program’s first varsity season.

Ryan Brennan All Heart Award given out each year to players at all three divisions. Brennan, a Fairfield Prep Jesuit lost a two year battle with cancer in February 2011. It was suggested by Prep players last season that we honor the life of Ryan with this annual award given out to players who exhibit excellence on and off the ice.

DIII FIRST TEAM

F Jack Mendillo, Jr. (Staples-Weston-Shelton)

Mendillo followed up a strong sophomore season with an explosive junior campaign. On an often outmanned Wreckers team, Mendillo poured in 47 points (27 G, 20 A). He was able to notch multi-goal games 11 times and tallied at least two points in all but three games this year.

F Shane Dushay, Jr. (Masuk)

Dushay ran off a 30 point sophomore season which was a hard act to follow. He eclipsed that point total and more leading Masuk to the #1 overall seed in the D3 tourney. Dushay finished with 40 points (25 G, 15 A) on a team with a ton of offensive options.

F Ross Brancati, Sr. (EO Smith-Tolland)

Brancati was such a hard-nosed work horse for the Bucks this year, continually battling in the corners while still piling up the points. His production will certainly be missed but it’s his cult hero status in Bucks Nation that may be harder to replace. Brancati finished the regular season with 37 points (18 G, 19 A).

D Christian Suda, Sr. (Masuk)

Suda finished up his final year with the Panthers as a leader, a stalwart defensive presence and capable player in all phases. Suda notched 16 points (4 G, 12 A) this year from the blue line.

D Jonathan Lovorn, Sr. (Newtown)

Lovorn could be used in every role on the team. His inclusion as a forward on the CIAC All-State team is indicative of that. Lovorn was the bread and butter that Newtown relied on this year. He finished with 34 points, including an impressive 21 goals.

G Matt Schoen, Jr. (EO Smith-Tolland)

Schoen was incredibly strong for the Bucks all season. His dependability was needed at times while an excellent security blanket to have at others. The junior finished with a .932 save percentage and a 1.79 goals against average.

DIII SECOND TEAM

F Andrew Loya, Jr. (Shepaug-Litchfield-Nonnewaug)

F Jarod Florian, So. (Hall-Southington)

F Parker Evans, Jr. (NFI)

D Matt Sabia, Sr. (Newtown)

D Justin Gagnon, Sr. (EO Smith-Tolland)

G Ryan Dobos, Sr, (NFI)