2025-26 Worcester State Men’s Hockey Year End Award Winners

Worcester, MA- On Sunday April 26, 2026 the Worcester State Men's hockey team, families, alumni and friends of the program came together at their annual end of the year Break Up Dinner. They celebrated the end of this academic year, the 2025-26 hockey season, the three graduating seniors and acknowledged the performance not only of the team but recognized the performances of team members.

The 3 seniors celebrated, who's college hockey careers concluded at the end of this season, are defenseman Niklas Byman, forward Anders Grongstad and forward Shane Prifrel. All 3 have a lot to be proud of during their time at Worcester State playing for the Lancers. All three we given a 24X20 framed action photo from their play this season.

This season Worcester State played in the Woo Cup championship game for the first time and won their first Woo Cup Championship since the tournament's inception in the 2021-22 season. The winners of the program's eight awards were presented as well. Seven of the eight awards announced are voted on by the players.

The Academic Excellence Award recognizes the student/athlete with the best Cumulative GPA over the Spring 2025 and Fall of 2025. In 3rd place is Jr. F Brady Carpenter with a 3.84 Cum GPA (3.74+3.94) and in 2nd place is Jr. D Jude Hadi with a 3.88 Cum GPA (3.931+3.829). This year's Academic Award Winner is So. F. Freddy Pinel with a 3.97 (3.94+4.0).

The Seventh Player Award is voted on by the players and given to the player who performed above expectations throughout the season. This player became a dominant power forward for the Lancers. As the season went on you could see his confidence and e`ectiveness grow. He led the team in shots with 126, 40 more than the next closest player. He led the team in goals with 13, had 7 Assists and was tied for the team lead in points with 20. He ended the season +3. This year's 7th Player Award Winner is Fr. F Bryce Grandbois.

The Unsung Hero Award, which is presented to the player, voted by his teammates, who consistently contributed to the team and its success, but did not necessarily receive the recognition they deserved. This year's recipient had a breakout year o_ensively and was a legitimate scoring threat on our PP all year long. He was a primary penalty killer and relied on in all important situations on o_ense and defense for the Lancers all season. In 25 games he had 7 Goals, 6 Assists for 13 points. Was tied on the team for 2nd in shots with 86. This year's Unsung Hero Award Winner is Jr. Fr Brady Carpenter.

The Most Improved Player Award is given to the player, voted by his teammates, who has shown the greatest improvement over the course of this season. This player was in and out of the line up early in the season. He made the most of those opportunities to solidify his spot on Defense, becoming a stabilizing force as the season went on and was heavily relied upon down the stretch. This year's Most Improved Player Award Winner is Fr. D Mitch Jongmans.

The Evan Armit Award honors the spirit of Evan. It is voted on by the players to recognize the teammate who worked tirelessly, carried himself with humility, and always put others before himself. Like Evan, the recipient of this award shows what it means to play with heart, to stay true to the team, and to inspire those around them by the way they approach the game and life. This year's Evan Armit Award Winner is Jr. F Matt Nuzzolilo.

The Matty Hehir Award recipient is voted on by the players and given to the Worcester State Hockey Player who demonstrates the characteristics and values of Matty; Dedications, Tenacity, Love of the Game & Leadership. Matty was someone you looked up to and wanted to emulate. He possessed a true love for the game, the program and his teammates. Matty was not only a leader of but a friend to his teammates. He didn't care if you were a freshman or senior, 1st line or 4th line player, you were a part of the team and he made you feel that way. This year's recipient was named to the MASCAC Men's Hockey All Sportsmanship Team and without question exemplifies everything Matty stood for. This year's Matty Hehir Award Winner is Gr. F Shane Prifrel.

The Rookie Of The Year Award is given to a FIRST YEAR PLAYER, voted by his teammates, who has performedexceptionally and without equal over the course of the season. This year's recipient was a major contributor for the Lancers on offense from day one. He ended the season tied for the team lead in points and assists. He played in 25 games tallied 7 Goals, 13 Assists for 20 Points and ended the season +4. This year's Rookie Of The Year Award Winner is Fr. F Sean Tyrie.

The last award of the afternoon was the Most Valuable Player Award which is voted by the players and honors the player whose contributions to the team were unequaled and vital to the success of the team as a whole. This year's winner played is every game, in all situations, PP, PK, defending a lead, need a goal, close out a period, close out the game he was counted on. In 26 games he registered 9 goals, none bigger than the game winner vs Assumption in the first round of the Woo Cup. 9 assists for 18 Points and a +4. His play and effort were relentless and consistent. He has a high motor and without question leads by example on and off the ice. This year's Most Valuable Player Award Winner – Jr. F Matt Nuzzolilo

Worcester State Men's hockey will open the 2026-27 on Friday October 30, 2026 in the first game of the 2026 Woo Cup vs Nichols College at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. Puck Drop Time is still TBD.