Hockey East Names 2023-24 Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team

AMESBURY, Mass. - The Hockey East Association today announced the 2023-24 Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team and six other season-long awards as voted by the men’s league’s 11 head coaches. The awards come as part of the celebration of the 39th annual Hockey East Tournament, which begins tonight.

The 2023-24 Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team consists of six players and five forwards, including three unanimous selections in Boston College’s Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass.), Gabe Perreault (Hinsdale, Ill.), and Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini (Vancouver, B.C.). The team is rounded out by two Eagles, Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.) and goaltender Jacob Fowler (Melbourne, Fla.), and Maine’s Bradly Nadeau (St-François-de-Madawaska, N.B.)

Also recognized were a pair of defensive awards, as Boston University senior Cade Webber (Meadville, Pa.) has been named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenseman after setting the NCAA single-season record with 118 blocks this year, while Northeastern junior Justin Hryckowian (L’Île-Bizard, Que.) was voted Gladiator Custom Mouthguards Best Defensive Forward for the second consecutive season.

Two statistical awards have been formally announced, both awarded to a Boston University freshman for the second straight season. Celebrini claimed the Hockey East Scoring Champion crown, posting 44 points on 23 goals and 21 assists in 23 league games. He was also honored with the Hockey East Three Stars Award as he compiled the highest total number of points earned when named a first, second, or third star of the game in Hockey East contests. Lane Hutson (North Barrington, Ill.) took home both last season. Hockey East’s highest sportsmanship award has been bestowed upon a duo of defensemen who served as captains of their team.

Boston College senior Eamon Powell (Marcellus, N.Y.) and Massachusetts junior Ryan Ufko (Smithtown, N.Y.) will be presented with the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award, given by the league to one player who has consistently demonstrated superior conduct and sportsmanship on and off the ice. The Northeastern Huskies are acknowledged with the Charlie Holt Team Sportsmanship Award for accruing the fewest average penalty minutes per Hockey East game, the third time the Huskies have earned the honor.

Hockey East will announce the 2023-24 All-Star Teams on Friday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. The league will then announce finalists for the Player, Rookie, and Coach of the Year awards on Monday, March 18.

The 2024 Hockey East Men’s Tournament begins tonight with three Opening Round games. UMass Lowell plays at New Hampshire on NESN, while Vermont at UConn and Merrimack at Northeastern drop the puck on ESPN+. Winners will advance to the quarterfinals on March 16 to take on Boston College, Boston University, and Maine, while Massachusetts at Providence is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start on NESN+

The Hockey East semifinals are set tentatively set for 4:00pm and 7:30pm on Friday, March 22 at TD Garden in Boston, while the 39th championship game will be played Saturday, March 23 at 7:30pm. All three games will air live on NESN and NESN+. Tickets are available via the host institution for each on-campus game while championship tickets can be purchased now at TicketMaster.com.

player Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team

G: Jacob Fowler, Boston College
F: Macklin Celebrini, Boston University *
F: Ryan Leonard, Boston College *
F: Bradly Nadeau, Maine
F: Gabe Perreault, Boston College *
F: Will Smith, Boston College
* denotes unanimous selection