2019 -- S 0802

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE PROVIDENCE COLLEGE MEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM ON

WINNING THE NCAA TOURNAMENT EAST REGIONAL, PLAYED AT THE DUNKIN

DONUTS CENTER, AND WISHING THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS AT THE FROZEN

FOUR IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Pearson, and Picard

     Date Introduced: April 11, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The Providence College Men’s Ice Hockey Team had an outstanding

regular season, finishing in a tie for second place in the always difficult and elite Hockey East

Conference; and

     WHEREAS, The Friars were led all season by a superbly stingy defense that gave up the

fewest goals in Hockey East Conference play thanks in large part to the outstanding goaltending

provided by Hayden Hawkey who was named a semi-finalist for the Mike Richter Award, which

is given annually to the most Outstanding Goalie in NCAA Men’s Hockey. The Friars have also

been aided all season by a shutdown defensive corps led by Jacob Bryson who was named a

Second Team All-Star, and the recipient of the Len Cegliarski Sportsmanship Award, and Vince

Desharnais, who was named the “47 Brand Best Defensive Defenseman” after blocking 54 shots

and compiling a plus-minus of (+23); and

     WHEREAS, The Friars tied for second for most goals scored in conference with the

primary catalyst for that success being Junior Forward Josh Wilkins who has led the team thus far

with 19 goals and 45 points. Josh was named a New England Men’s Division I All-Star and just

compiled his third consecutive 30-plus points season. He went on to be named the NCAA East

Region’s Most Outstanding Player. Also excelling on offense this season have been Forward

Brandon Duhaime, a Third Team All-Conference selection, and Jack Dugan, a Hockey East All-

Rookie choice; and

     WHEREAS, In the NCAA East Regional Finals played in Providence at the Dunkin

Donuts Center, Providence College faced number one seed Minnesota State in the first game and

put together a comeback for the ages as they stormed back from a 3-0 deficit to score six straight

goals and defeat the regional favorite. In the Elite Eight game, Providence College thrashed

Cornell University by the score of 4-0 to advance to the Frozen Four; and

     WHEREAS, The Friars Men’s Hockey Team has been led all season by the excellent

coaching and leadership provided by Head Coach Nate Leaman. Since taking the helm as Head

Coach in the 2011-2012 season, Coach Leaman has led the Friars to six consecutive NCAA

Tournament berths, and a National Championship in 2015. He won the Spencer Penrose Award in

2011 as the Division I National Coach of the Year, and was named a finalist for the award in

2015 and 2016; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby congratulates the Providence College Friars Men’s Ice Hockey Team on winning the East

Region of the NCAA Tournament and wishes them continued success in the Frozen Four; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Head Coach Nate Leaman, Providence College

Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

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