Posted: Mar 09, 2022

Larsson Named MASCAC Rookie of the Year, Yianacopolus Selected to All-MASCAC Second Team

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Forward Erik Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) was named the 2021-22 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Men's Ice Hockey Rookie of the Year while earning a spot on the all-conference second team in a vote by the league's seven coaches on Wednesday. Senior defenseman Matt Yianacopolus (Wakefield, Mass.) was selected to the all-conference second team.

Larsson is the first rookie of the year award winner for the Vikings since Nick Lampson in 2010. The sophomore was the MASCAC's fifth-leading scorer, and top rookie scoring forward, tallying 11 goals and a team-leading 15 assists for Salem State. His six power-play goals six power play goals topped the Vikings and tied for second most in the MASCAC. Yianacopolus, anchored the Vikings' defense this season. A first-time selection, he scored 13 points, which included 11 assists, fourth most by a defenseman in the league.

Junior Myles Abbate of Plymouth State was named the MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Player of the Year. Abbate, the reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year, adds another award to his trophy case with the 2021-22 Player of the Year honors. The junior from Norwell, Mass. led the Panthers to their fifth straight MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Regular Season title and top seed in the tournament. Abbate led the MASCAC in total points with 40 on 17 goals and 23 assists while scoring six on the power play and two game-winners.

Dean Fuller of Fitchburg State and Craig Russell of Plymouth State were named the 2021-22 Champion's Choice Men's Ice Hockey Co-Coach of the Year. Fuller led the Falcons to a 14-3-1 record in league action for the second seed while Russell led the Panthers to a 14-2-2 mark and the top seed in the tournament.

Joining Abbate on the MASCAC All-Conference First Team are JR Barone of Plymouth State and Dillon Radin of UMass Dartmouth at forward, Simon Besner of Plymouth State and Max Roth of Worcester State on defense and Brian McGrath of Fitchburg State in goal.

Landing on the MASCAC Second Team with Larsson is Rece Bergeman and Hunter Fortin of Fitchburg State at forward, Jake Maynard of UMass Dartmouth and Matt Yianacopolus of Salem State on defense and Valtteri Valtonen of Westfield State in goal.

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation's oldest Division III men's and women's playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men's ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as a football affiliate member in 2013. Dean College, Eastern Nazarene College, Elms College, Mitchell College and Springfield College joined as men's golf affiliates in 2019 and New England College in 2021.

2021-22 MASCAC MEN'S ICE HOCKEY ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

FIRST TEAM

Myles Abbate, Plymouth State Junior Forward Norwell, Mass.

JR Barone, Plymouth State Graduate Forward W. Chester, Penn.

Dillon Radin, UMass Dartmouth Senior Forward Long Beach, N.Y.

Simon Besner, Plymouth State Senior Defense Lancaster, Ontario

Max Roth, Worcester State Senior Defense Chicago, Ill.

Brian McGrath, Fitchburg State Senior Goalie Worcester, Mass.

SECOND TEAM

Rece Bergeman, Fitchburg State Junior Forward Newark, Del.

Hunter Fortin, Fitchburg State Junior Forward Westerville, Ohio

Erik Larsson, Salem State Sophomore Forward Lake Tahoe, Calif.