Atlantic Hockey's eight remaining teams are gearing up for this weekend's quarterfinal series so now is a good time to break down the top performers in the league for the regular season.
Note: The following awards are the opinion of SBNation college hockey reporter Jeff Cox.
First Team
Forward: Brett Gensler, Sr., Bentley
Forward: Cody Wydo, Jr., Robert Morris
Forward: Andrew Gladiuk, Soph., Bentley
Defense: Steve Weinstein, Jr., Bentley
Defense: Adam McKenzie, Sr., Air Force
Goalie: Jimmy Sarjeant, Jr., Mercyhurst
Second Team
Forward: Alex Grieve, Jr., Bentley
Forward: Jon Puskar, Sr., American International
Forward: Cole Gunner, Jr., Air Force
Defense: Greg Noyes, Sr., RIT
Defense: Nick Jones, Sr., Mercyhurst
Goalie: Branden Komm, Sr., Bentley
Third Team
Forward: Matthew Zay, Jr., Mercyhurst
Forward: Kyle Gibbons, Sr., Canisius
Forward: Ryan Misiak, Jr., Mercyhurst
Defense: Kyle Huson, Soph., UConn
Defense: Ben Danford, Jr., Canisius
Goalie: Matt Ginn, Jr., Holy Cross
Rookie Team
Forward: David Norris, American International
Forward: Justin Danforth, Sacred Heart
Forward: C.J. Reuschlein, Army
Defense: Ryan Segalla, UConn
Defense: Mitch Nylen, Sacred Heart
Goalie: Chris Truehl, Air Force
Player of the Year: Brett Gensler, Sr., F, Bentley
Coach of the Year: Ryan Soderquist, Bentley
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Segalla, UConn
The Player of the Year going to Gensler is really a no-brainer. He's been a consistent performer since day one and he had a terrific senior season. He's previously won a Walter Brown Award as the top American born player playing college hockey in New England and is a finalist again this season.
This writer had Bentley picked third in the preseason so their second place finish is not that much of a surprise to him, but the coaches tabbed the Falcons to finish ninth. The talent he has stockpiled at his alma mater is impressive, especially up front. He has also elevated the stature of the program with big wins at Boston University and against Holy Cross at Fenway Park.
The league announced the official All-Rookie team last week, and the only spot this writer differs from the coaches is on one of the defenseman spots. Ryan Segalla didn't put up the points that Niagara's Vince Muto did, but he is steady in his own end and was a difference maker for Mike Cavanaugh's UConn Huskies. That isn't to take anything away from Muto, who had a great year. There were several good freshman goaltenders in the AHA this season, led by Truehl, but a case could be made for RIT's Mike Rotolo, Niagara's Jackson Teichroeb and Army's Parker Gahagen. All three had good rookie campaigns without the defensive zone help that AFA goaltenders are afforded.
Thoughts? Disagree? Leave a comment in the comments section.
Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.