Feb. 3, 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston announced on Tuesday, February 3, that Providence College men's hockey senior defenseman Matt Taormina (Washington Township, Mich.) was named as one of the 16 semifinalists for the 57th Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England. It marks the second-consecutive season that Taormina has been named a semifinalist for the presigious award.

Taormina is one of three defensemen nominated. He ranks second on the team with 18 points and is tied for first with 14 assists. He also is third among Hockey East defensemen in scoring. Taormina has five multiple-point games this season, including three assists in a win at Brown on December 9. For his efforts, he was named Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week on December 15.

The Gridiron Club plans to announce the finalists and winner of the 57th Walter Brown Award in March, following league playoffs and before the start of NCAA Tournament play.

Four PC players have earned the Walter Brown Award in its 56-year history. The most recent winner was Mike Omicioli, who shared the honor with Boston College's Mike Mottau in 1999. Prior to Mike Omicioli, Rob Gaudreau won the award in 1992. In addition, current Friar Head Coach Tim Army won the award in 1985 and Ron Wilson, Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was the first Friar to win the award when he was honored in 1975.