WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Junior Jonathan Ruiz of UMass Dartmouth has been named the 2017-18 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and headlines the All-Conference team as voted on by the coaches from around the league.

 

Ruiz, a forward from Williamstown, N.J., finished the season second in the conference in total points with 45 on 27 goals and 18 assists while averaging 1.67 points per game. His 27 goals were the most in the league and 18 assists were the seventh highest. On the power play, he tallied the most points with 25 on 13 goals and 12 assists while also leading in power play goals, short-handed points and short-handed goals. 

 

Sascha Figi earns the 2017-18 MASCAC Men’s Ice Hockey Rookie of the Year. The freshman from Kloten, Switzerland had solid first season for the Falcons. He finished third in the league in total points with 40 on 21 goals and 19 assists with his goals scored sitting in the second spot among the conference leaders.He led all freshman in scoring while also tallying the third most power play goals with eight.  

 

Dean Fuller of Fitchburg State has been named the 2017-18 Champion’s Choice Men’s Ice Hockey Coach of the Year 

after leading the Falcons to a 16-6-3 regular season mark, 11-4-3 in conference play and the second seed in last week’s tournament.

 

Joining Ruiz on the MASCAC All-Conference First Team are Nick DiNicola of Fitchburg State, Ryan Stevens of Plymouth State at forward, Victor Bergstrom of Plymouth State and Jerry Laakso of UMass Dartmouth on defense and Jason Pucciarelli in goal. 

 

Landing on the MASCAC Second Team with Figi is Matt Volonnino of Plymouth State and Mike Moran of Worcester State at forward, Tim Perron of Plymouth State and Carl Greco of Westfield State on defense and Evan Morelli of Plymouth State in goal.