Moon Township, Pa. - On Wednesday, head coach Derek Schooley of the Robert Morris University hockey program announced his annual team awards at a luncheon at the RMU Island Sports Center.
The Colonial's two-time team captain, Dave Cowan (Calgary, Alberta / Olds Grizzlys), was honored as this year's Most Valuable Player, Most Inspirational Player and Defensive Player of the Year. During the 2009-10 campaign, he tallied one goal and five assists in 30 games. Cowan, the first RMU player to directly enter the ranks of the AHL, became the third Robert Morris alumni to play in the AHL after completing his collegiate career as a Colonial. In 111 career games, Cowan tallied three goals and 24 points and was named to the CHA All-Second Team this season.
Junior Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Ohio Blue Jackets) was honored as RMU's Offensive Player of the Year. Longpre recorded 31 points during the season as he tallied 14 goals and 17assists. He also was a CHA All-First Team selection for the second straight year.
Taking home Freshman of the Year was forward Stefan Salituro (Willodale, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms). Salituro was twice honored as the CHA's Rookie of the Week and was named to the CHA All-Rookie team. In 25 games, the first-year forward picked up eight goals and six assists.
The award for Most Improved Player went to senior for the second consecutive year. Fourth-year forward J.C. Velasquez (Clarkson, Mich. / Green Bay Gamblers) appeared in 31 games while scoring a career high 12 points with eight goals and four assists. In his most memorable career moment, Velasquez scored RMU's game winner over then-No. 1 Miami in the 2010 Pittsburgh College Hockey Showcase.
Junior assistant captain Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State) earned an award for the second straight year as he was named Colonial Hockey's Student Athlete of the Year. Kushneriuk holds a 3.63 GPA as a management major.
Next season, Schooley and the Colonials will join the Atlantic Hockey conference after being a part of College Hockey America (CHA) since the program's inception in 2004.
