LOWELL, Mass. (May 4, 2008) – Kory Falite (left - Billerica, Mass.) was named the UMass Lowell Hockey most valuable player, and Maury Edwards (right - Rocky Rapids, Alta.) was named the rookie of the year at the team’s annual awards banquet on Sunday afternoon.

Falite, a 2008 Hockey East Second Team All-Star, led the River Hawks in goals (18), points (14) and game-winning goals (7). The sophomore left wing led Hockey East with 15 goals during Hockey East games and finished the season on a seven game point streak.

Falite also received the G. Harvey Chandler Award, given to the team’s leading scorer, and the UMLHockey.com Award, the player of the year as voted on by the fans.

Edwards led UML freshmen with eight goals and 19 points. The defenseman had three, two-point nights, all coming against Boston University, and led the team with seven power play goals. Edwards was a six-time member of the Hockey East Honor Roll and named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.

Also recognized at the banquet were Jeremy Dehner (Madison, Wis.), Kelly Sullivan (Beverly Hills, Mich.), Ben Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Paul Worthington (Langhorne, Pa.) and Ryan Blair (Ashburn, Va.)

Dehner was named the team’s Best Defensive Player for the second year in a row. The sophomore blueliner played a key role in all situations for the River Hawks, despite missing six games with an injury. A shutdown defenseman, Dehner contributed on offense as well. He was third on the team with 15 assists.

Sullivan was named the Unsung Hero. Sullivan played in a career-high 34 game games during his senior season. He played regularly at both even strength and on the penalty kill during, and chipped in with three points on the offensive end of the ice. Sullivan had a plus or even rating in 25 games.

Holmstrom received the “Gus” Coutu Award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the UML hockey program. Holmstrom, a sophomore captain, elevated his game this season in posting career highs in goals (7), assists (20) and points (27). He played in all situations, and took and won more face offs than any other River Hawk. Holmstrom was a four-time member of the Hockey East Weekly Honor Roll.

The Coaches’ Perseverance Award went to Worthington, who missed the first 26 games of the season, and 35 games total dating back to last year, due to an injury. The sophomore winger returned to the lineup in mid-February and contributed significantly to the squad’s success at the end of the season. Worthington totaled seven points over the final seven games of the year, including netting the game-winning, overtime goal against Northeastern (2/29).

Blair was named the team’s Most Improved Player. The freshman defenseman played in all 37 games and was one of four River Hawk defensemen to record at least 10 points (1 goal, 10 assists). He scored the game-winning goal in a win over Boston University (12/7), and posted a plus or even rating in 26 of 37 games.

The River Hawks finished the 2007-08 season 16-17-4 overall and 10-13-4 in Hockey East play. The 16 wins doubled their win total from 2006-07. UML qualified for the Hockey East playoffs this season, finishing seventh in the standings with 24 points.

UMass Lowell was ranked in the USCHO.com/CSTV Division I national poll for 11 weeks during the season, reaching as high as 13th in the country on January 7.