Kappers named MVP for Men's Hockey

April 27, 2010

The St. Thomas men’s hockey team handed out 2009-2010 season awards at its recent team banquet. Andrew Kappers (JR-Lakeville) was named MVP after he led the team in points and assists with 29 and 19 respectively, and helped the Tommies finish with an overall record of 13-11-4 (8-6-2 MIAC).

Teammate Ryan Kurtz (SR-Mendota Heights/Cretin-Derham Hall) was the recipient of the Team Player award. Starting goalie Joe Schraeder (SR-East Stroudsberg, Pa./Berkshire) was awarded the  Most Improved Player after he finished with a record 8-5-1 in net and a goals-against average of 3.22. The other team awards went to forward Riley Horgan (FR-Mound-/Mound-Westonka) as Rookie of the Year; Alex Arnason (SR-Blake/Totino-Grace) was the “Hard Hat” award recipient; Phil Johnson (JR-Duluth/East) was awarded the “Best Brick” award for best defensemen; and the Greg Flesher Student/Athlete award was awarded to Kevin Mahoney (SR-Duluth/Marshall).  

Captains for the St. Thomas men’s hockey team for the 2010-2011 season will be Phil Johnson and Andrew Kappers, while alternate captains will be Rob Phillip (SO-Thief River Falls) and Rob Johnson (JR-Duluth/East).

In the 23rd and final season under Coach Terry Skrypek, the 2009-10 Tommies sat 5-8-4 in mid-January, and the program’s 27-year streak of consectuive winning seasons was in jeopardy. St. Thomas won five of its last six games to make the MIAC playoffs, then won overtime games on the road against nationally-ranked Hamline and Gustavus to reach the NCAA tournament field.