Esner named New England's Best Defensive Forward
Esner, who was also the runner-up for the Hockey East Best Defensive Forward award, proved himself to be one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the conference in his senior season. As a constant on the Husky penalty kill, the Paradise Valley, Ariz., native led the Huskies and tied for second in the country with four shorthanded goals in 2006-07. The total gave him six shorthanded goals for his career, ranking him second all-time at Northeastern. Esner helped the Huskies achieve the fourth-best regular-season penalty kill in the country in 2006-07.
The Huskies went 6-1-2 in games that Esner recorded at least one point this season, and the senior forward ended the regular season strongly by scoring four goals in the team’s last five games. He parlayed that success into a professional tryout contract with the Peoria Rivermen, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues. Esner has played in 12 games so far for the Rivermen.
The Northeastern men’s hockey team ended the 2006-07 season with a 13-18-5 record playing in the highly competitive Hockey East conference. The 13 wins marked a 10-win improvement from the previous season and the Huskies also posted a conference-best six-win improvement in Hockey East play.
2006-07 New England Awards
Leonard Fowle Award – Most Valuable Player
Herb Gallagher Award – Best Forward
Bob Monahan Award – Best Defenseman
George Carens Award – Rookie of the Year
Paul Hines Award – Most Improved Player
Frank Jones Award – Best Defensive Forward
Joe Tomasello Award – Unsung Hero
Coach of the Year
April 3, 2007
Boston, MANortheastern University senior forward Bryan Esner was named the 2007 recipient of the Frank Jones Award, given to New England’s Best Defensive Forward, the New England Hockey Writers Association announced on Tuesday.
John Curry, Sr., Goalie, Boston University
Brian Boyle, Sr., Boston College
Sean Sullivan, Sr., Boston University
Brandon Wong, Fr., Quinnipiac
Trevor Smith, So., Forward, New Hampshire
Bryan Esner, Sr., Northeastern
Jim Healey, Sr., Goalie, Merrimack
Don Cahoon, Massachusetts
