C.J. Smith Named Hockey East Player of the Month
Keller Claims Top Rookie Once Again; Wall Wins Best Goaltender Honors


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C.J. Smith - UMass Lowell
Junior Forward; Des Moines, Iowa


C.J. Smith led the River Hawks to their third Hockey East Tournament championship in March, leading the league in scoring with nine points on five goals and four assists, a plus-seven rating and 21 shots on goal in seven games. Smith was named the MVP of the Hockey East Tournament after he collected eight points (4g, 4a) in five games. He led his team to the NCAA Northeast Regional final and made his NHL debut April 2-3 with the Buffalo Sabres, collecting one assist in two games played.

Runner-up: Anders Bjork, ND (Jr., F; Mequon, Wis.)


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Clayton Keller - Boston University
Forward; Swansea, Illinois


Clayton Keller ended his season on a 10-game point streak to help the Terriers reach the NCAA West Regional Final. He led all rookies with five assists and seven points in the month of March. He was also named the winner of the Tim Taylor Award as the National Rookie of the Year on April 7. Keller made his NHL debut with the Arizona Coyotes on March 27 and collected two assists on March 29 and April 4.

Runner-up: Cam Morrison, ND (Fr., F; Aurora, Ont.)

Pro Ambitions



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Tyler Wall - UMass Lowell
Freshman; Leamington, Ontario


Tyler Wall went 5-2-0 in the month of March, collecting the most wins of any league goaltender in the final month of the season. He allowed two goals or less in four of his seven starts and stopped 38 shots in the Hockey East title game to backbone the River Hawks to the conference tournament title and was named to the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team. He posted a 19-save shutout in the NCAA Northeast Regional final against Cornell in a 5-0 win. His 1.87 GAA led all league goaltenders in March.

Runner-up: Jake Oettinger, UML (Fr., G; Lakeville, Minn.)

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