CAPE COD, Mass. (March 4) – Nichols College first year forward Zach Kohn (Hartland, Wis.) has been named the ECAC Northeast Hockey League Rookie of the Year, it was announced today by Commissioner of the ECAC Rudy Keeling. Kohn also earned a spot on the All-ECAC Northeast Second Team and All-Rookie Team. Sophomore defenseman Drew Palmer (Chelmsford, Mass.) joins Kohn with all-conference accolades with Honorable Mention accolades.
Kohn ranked sixth overall in conference scoring, averaging 1.43 points per game on eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 14 league games, all while being whistled for just two minor penalties. The rookie recorded one short-handed and two power-play goals, and netted the game-winner at Salve Regina and at home against Johnson & Wales.
Kohn posted an 11-game point streak spanning three months and was named the league’s Rookie of the Week four times during the season. Overall, he finished with 44 points on 16 goals and 28 assists - just one helper shy of tying the Bison’s single-season record. His overall 1.69 points per game average ranked second in the conference, sixth in the nation, and number one among the nation’s rookies.
Palmer earns his first all-conference honor after establishing himself as the leader of the Bison’s d-corps in just his second season. An integral part of both the power play and penalty kill units, he was played in every key situation. He finished with three goals and four assists in 24 games, scoring his first career goal against Salve Regina in November.
Nichols finished the season with a 13-10-3 record after making its fifth-straight appearance in the ECAC Northeast tournament.