NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – An historic offensive season for Jonathan Surrette led him to being named Ice Hockey Player of the Year on Thursday afternoon, as Assumption swept major awards when the Northeast 10 Conference announced its honorees for the 2025-26 season.
Surrette became the all-time NE10 single season leader in goals (32) and points (62) this season, while leading all NCAA players - across all divisions - in goals and points. His offensive outburst helped Assumption win the conference regular season title for the second time in three seasons and earn the top seed in the NE10 Championship.
Joining Surrette was Shane McElhaney as Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Salvatore as Goaltender of the Year, Jake Russell as Rookie of the Year and Michael Looney as Lance "Duke" Brady Coach of the Year. It is the first time in NE10 history that one program has swept all major awards.
Assumption had a league-high four players selected to the All-Conference First Team. Saint Anselm was second with three All-Conference selections overall.
Surrette had the greatest offensive season in NE10 history, as he led the conference in goals (32), assists (30) and points (62) - joining his former teammate Ronny Paragallo (2023-24) with the distinction of leading the league in all three categories. Surrette surpassed Saint Michael's Josh Ralph (1999-2000) and Stonehill's Rob Pascale (2002-03) for most points in a single season, while also passing Stonehill's Matt Curran (2006-07) for most goals in a season. In 32 games played, Surrette scored multiple points on 17 occasions - including nine games with three points or more - and had a league-best plus/minus rating of +28.
McElhaney led all NE10 defensemen this season in goals (10), assists (20) and points (30), while tying for second in blocked shots (46), on his way to earning Defensive Player of the Year. He joined Surrette as a semifinalist for the Joe Concannon Award early in February, which honors the best American-born NCAA Division II/III hockey player in New England.
Salvatore was named Goaltender of the Year after leading the NE10 in goals against average (1.59), save percentage (.956) and saves per game (35.3) - while having the fewest goals allowed (26). He becomes the first Assumption player to ever be named NE10 Goaltender of the Year. Salvatore had 30 or more saves in 11 of his 16 games this season, as well as two shut outs.
Russell led all freshmen players in scoring this season with 31 points, on his way to being named Rookie of the Year. He scored at least one point in 22 of 29 games to help Assumption's top scoring offense average over four goals per game. The last Assumption player to win Rookie of the Year was Surrette in 2023-24.
For the second time in his career, Michael Looney has been named the Lance "Duke" Brady Coach of the Year, after leading Assumption (22-8-2, 15-3-2 NE10) to the NE10 regular season title and the top seed in the NE10 Championship. The Greyhounds are 15-1-1 in their last 17 games and look to win their third title in five years under Looney's direction on Saturday. The award is named after Lance "Duke" Brady, the former Assumption head coach, who passed away in February of 2019.
The final of the NE10 Ice Hockey Championship is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:10 p.m. at the Worcester Ice Center. Top-seeded Assumption plays No. 3-seeded Saint Anselm. Please visit Championship Central for more information.
Player of the Year: Jonathan Surrette, Assumption
Defensive Player of the Year: Shane McElhaney, Assumption
Goaltender of the Year: Michael Salvatore, Assumption
Rookie of the Year: Jake Russell, Assumption
Lance “Duke” Brady Coach of the Year: Michael Looney, Assumption
FIRST TEAM
F: Leo Piandes, Assumption
F: Jonathan Surrette, Assumption
F: Mario Paganini, Franklin Pierce
F: Cam Collins, Saint Anselm
D: Shane McElhaney, Assumption
D: Sean Connolly, Saint Anselm
G: Michael Salvatore, Assumption
SECOND TEAM
F: Austin Pick, Franklin Pierce
F: Luke Linart, Saint Anselm
F: Brendan Lynch, SNHU
D: Aidan Canady, Post
D: Ryan Kayser, SNHU
G: Benjamin Cunneen, Post
G: Evan Plunkett, Saint Michael’s
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Jake Russell, Assumption
Andrew Toomey, Assumption
Sean Connolly, Saint Anselm
Aj Sacco, Saint Michael’s
Aidan Rufa, SNHU
Zach Vickerman, SNHU
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast 10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.