MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – University of Vermont junior
Matt Beck is one of 13 nominees for the 2020 Hockey Humanitarian Award, given annually to college hockey's "finest citizen." The Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation announced the nominees Monday afternoon.
The 2020 year marks the 25th season for the Hockey Humanitarian Award. Wisconsin's Jake Bunz received the 2019 Hockey Humanitarian Award.
RELATED LINKS
Hockey Humanitarian Award Release | Past Nominees and Winners
"It was an honor to nominate Matt for this prestigious award," head coach
Kevin Sneddon said. "His selflessness is apparent every day. He is an amazing teammate, student, friend, and citizen. He goes above and beyond for others and has become a great role model within our program."
Beck spearheads the team's volunteer and fundraising initiatives, notably Vermont's local fundraising efforts. Beck leads Vermont's efforts in the annual Light the Night Walk to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), helping raise over $10,000 in the last two years. Last spring, Beck and the men's hockey team were honored by the LLS as the top fundraising college team.
The Vermont hockey team is heavily involved with the Brovember initiative from the UVM Cancer Center. Similar to the national Movember movement, the goal of Brovember is to raise money for men's health issues that directly benefit the local community.
Outside of fundraising efforts, Beck leads volunteer efforts across the community, including hospital visits and youth clinics. Most recently, Beck and players visited Camp Ta-Kum-Ta (Jan. 11).
Beck is joined by three other Division I men's players and one female Divison I player. There are eight Division II and III nominees.
Sneddon served on the Hockey Humanitarian Award board for five years. Jaime Sifers '06 was the last Catamount nominated for the award.
Finalists for the 2020 Hockey Humanitarian Award will be announced in February. The 2020 recipient will be honored in a ceremony on Friday, April 10th as part of the NCAA Men's Frozen Four weekend in Detroit, Michigan.
| Name |
Cl. |
Pos. |
School |
Hometown |
| Matt Beck |
Jr. |
G |
Vermont |
Westport, Conn. |
| Davis Bunz |
Jr. |
D |
Providence |
Middleton, Wis. |
| Cal Burke * |
Sr. |
F |
Notre Dame |
Boxborough, Mass. |
| Devin Brousseau * |
Sr. |
F |
Clarkson |
Saint-Lambert, Qué. |
| Amanda Conger |
Sr. |
F |
St. Anselm |
Swanton, Vt. |
| Catherine Crawley |
Sr. |
F |
UConn |
Washingtonville, N.Y. |
| Jordan Keeley |
So. |
G |
St. Mary's |
St. Peter, Minn. |
| Conlan Keenan |
Sr. |
F |
SUNY-Geneseo |
Rochester, N.Y. |
| Dakota Keene |
Sr. |
F |
UMass Boston |
Portland, Maine |
| Jimmy Poreda |
Sr. |
G |
SUNY Plattsburgh |
Tonawanda, N.Y. |
| Lucas Smith |
Sr. |
D |
Post |
Calgary, Alta. |
| James Varney * |
Sr. |
F |
Stonehill |
Smithfield, Maine |
| Delaney Wolf |
Jr. |
D |
St. Mary's |
Bismarck, N.D. |
* Repeat Nominee
Handy Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the 2019-20 men's hockey season
