Nick Gollaher Takes Home League MVP Honors

 It is a familiar theme, ACHA Purple Eagles collecting post-season hardware, and this year was no different.

Several Purple Eagles received league wide accolades in the ECHL. The Head Coaches of each league member voted on the honors.

For the second time in three years a Purple Eagles garnered League MVP. This year it was Nick Gollaher (Rochester Americans/ Rochester, NY) who took home the ECHL League MVP. Gollaher finished his senior campaign with 49points (17g, 32a). The center also became the Purple Eagles All Time leading scorer with 171 career points! In conjunction with his MVP award Nick was also named as 1^st Team All ECHL. With Gollaher’s league MVP award he has surely cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever play for the team. Gollaher will be long remembered in the same vane as past Purple Eagle greats such as Dave Demizio and Mario Nucci.

Rookie Joe Baldinelli (Niagara Falls Canucks GOHL Jr. B/Niagara Falls Ontario) was named 1^st Team ECHL Rookie. The powerful center finished the season with 48points (20g, 28a). The center was also among one the best face-off men in the entire league. Baldinelli’s style of being a fierce competitor and terrific scoring threat made him a force to be reckoned with in both league play and out of conference play in both ends of the ice. During his rookie season the Niagara Falls, Ontario native asserted himself as a true leader both on and off the ice.

Last, but certainly not least, Kevin Morrison (Suffolk PAL MJHL Jr. B/Lake Ronkonkoma,NY) was named 2^nd Team All ECHL. The junior blue-liner finished the season 9^th on the team in scoring with 18 points (7g, 11a). Morrison, who is probably best-known league wide for his offensive prowess is also one of the fiercest open ice hitters in the ECHL. Morrison throughout the season logged close to 25 minutes of ice time per game including special teams. Morrison’s ability was on full display for the league in the playoffs. In the quarterfinal game against Meryhurst, the blue liner assisted on a beautiful power play goal and was instrumental in killing off several power plays for the opposition.

 The entire ACHA Purple Eagles organization congratulates these fine young men for their achievements.

A full recap of the several academic awards received by players will be released tomorrow!