CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has announced its annual men's ice hockey individual awards, as well as its All-Conference teams.  As conference foes battle it out in this year's playoffs, the SUNYAC wishes to recognize the Herb Hammond Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

For the second consecutive year, Geneseo's Stephen Collins is the recipient of the Herb Hammond Player of the Year award. The senior forward currently leads the 10^th ranked Knights with 48 points in 26 games with a tallied 19 goals and a team high 29 assists, which also ranks him second in the nation and first in the SUNYAC. At the conclusion of the regular season, Collins ranked first in points, fourth in goals, and second in assists within the SUNYAC.  The Pittsford, N.Y. native has also been appointed SUNYAC Ice Hockey First Team All-Conference honors for his outstanding senior campaign and helping to lead the Knights to a third place finish in the conference after regular season play.

The SUNYAC awards Stephen Johnson of Oswego with the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. The senior defenseman racked up 30 points for the Lakers, with a combined 23 assists, which currently is a conference high for defensemen and sits him at 14^th in the nation of all Division III skaters. Additionally, Johnson is third in points and assists for the Lakers who are ranked second in Division III. The Lakers finished first in the conference after regular season play and will face Buffalo State in the semifinals on Saturday.

Buffalo State's Mike DeLaVergne, who is no stranger to postseason accolades, has been awarded the 2017 SUNYAC Goaltender of the Year. DeLaVergne has also been voted to the First Team All-Conference team for his performance in net for the second consecutive year. The senior goaltender, hailing from Pawling, N.Y., recorded a 16-6-1 regular season performance, with an overall .931 save percentage and 1.92 goals against average. DeLaVergne helped lead his team to a fourth place finish going into the SUNYAC Championships.

Geneseo's Conlan Keenan has been awarded the 2017 Rookie of the Year, after an outstanding first year competing in the SUNYAC. The first year forward tallied a combined 21 goals and 12 assists in 25 games, earning a total 33 points during the 2016-2017 regular season campaign. The Penfield, N.Y. native didn't take long to showcase his bright future, as he recorded his first career hat-trick in an early season matchup against Cortland. Currently, Keenan ranks third in Division III men's ice hockey with a .84 goals per game percentage. The Knights will face Plattsburgh, Saturday in the SUNYAC semifinals.

The 2017 SUNYAC ice hockey championships continue with semifinals on Saturday at No. 1 and No. 2 followed by the final game on Saturday, March 4 at the higest remaining seed. 2017 SUNYAC Ice Hockey Bracket