Regular-season and tournament champion Niagara dominated the inaugural College Hockey America postseason awards, as selected by the league’s head coaches, assistant coaches and sports information directors. The Purple Eagles boast the Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and four members of the CHA all-league first team.
Niagara senior goaltender Greg Gardner was named CHA Player of the Year after compiling a 28-7-4 record, 1.49 goals-against average and .936 save percentage while leading the CHA in all major statistical categories. The 6-0, 190-pound native of Mississauga, Ont., started every game but one for the Purple Eagles this season.
Likewise, Niagara head coach Blaise MacDonald was honored as Coach of the Year after leading his charges to the CHA regular-season and tournament titles, and into the NCAA tournament in just Niagara’s fourth season of varsity hockey.
Rookie of the Year laurels went to Air Force forward Andy Berg, who totaled 11-21–32 in 35 games for the Falcons, and Alabama-Huntsville’s Jay Woodcroft was named CHA Student-Athlete of the Year.
The CHA’s two all-league teams feature three members of tournament runner-up Alabama-Huntsville, in addition to the five Purple Eagles selected overall.
1999-2000 College Hockey America First Team
F Kyle Martin, Niagara, Sr., 5-10, 170, Pickering, ONT
F Mike Isherwood, Niagara, Sr., 5-10, 185, Niagara Falls, ONT
F Nathan Bowen, Ala.-Huntsville, Sr., 6-1, 200, London, ONT
D Chris MacKenzie, Niagara, Sr., 6-0, 180, Niagara Falls, ONT
D Stefan Bjork, Bemidji State, So., 6-0, 190, Stockholm, Sweden
G Greg Gardner, Niagara, Sr., 6-0, 190, Mississauga, ONT
1999-2000 College Hockey America Second Team
F Brian Gornick, Air Force, So., 6-4, 200, St. Paul, MN
F Calvin Chartrand, Bemidji State, Sr., 5-7, 175, Winnipeg, MAN
F Mikko Sivonen, Niagara, Sr., 5-10, 195, Tampere, Finland
D Shane Stewart, Ala.-Huntsville, Sr., 6-1, 180, New Liskeard, ONT
D Brant Somerville, Findlay, So., 5-10, 185, Toronto, ONT
G Steve Briere, Ala.-Huntsville, Sr., 5-8, 160, Winnipeg, MAN
1999-2000 College Hockey America All-Rookie Team
F Andy Berg, Air Force, Fr., 5-11, 175, Stillwater, MN
F Mike Funk, Ala.-Huntsville, Fr., 6-0, 195, Newton, MAN
F Brad Johnson, Bemidji State, Fr., 5-10, 185, Bemidji, MN
F Daryl Bat, Bemidji State, Fr., 5-7, 155, Orillia, ONT
D Rico Fatticci, Bemidji State, Fr., 5-11, 190, Hibbing, MN
D Clay Simmons, Bemidji State, Fr., 6-0, 195, Princeton, BC
G Bob Tallarico, Bemidji State, Fr., 5-8, 175, St. Paul, MN
