PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence College senior left wing Mike Omicioli of West Warwick, R.I. and junior center Jerry Keefe of Billerica, Mass. were honored at the New England Hockey Writers Annual Awards Banquet on April 14 at Saugus, Mass. Omicioli received the prestigious Walter Brown Award, given annually to New England's outstanding American-born college hockey player and was named a New England Hockey Writers Second-Team All-Star selection. Keefe was named New England's Most Improved Player.

Omicioli, who also earned Second Team HOCKEY EAST All-Star honors in 1999, finished his career at Providence in 17th place all-time in scoring with 138 points (49 goals, 89 assists). He also ranks 13th all-time in assists at PC with 89. Omicioli finished the 1998-99 season tied for the team lead in goals (19) and third in points (50). He recorded 35 multiple-point games in his career and 16 multiple-point games this season. Omicioli became the first Friar named to the New England Hockey Writers All-Star team since Chad Quenneville earned the honor in 1995.

Omicioli, who attended LaSalle Academy and graduated from the Gunnery Prep School, is the son of Andrew and Kathleen Omicioli. His younger brother, Drew, is a freshman forward on the Friar hockey team.

Keefe led the Friars in scoring this season with 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games. Keefe improved on his totals from his first two seasons at Providence when he recorded 23 points as a freshman and 14 points as a sophomore. He is the first PC player to be named New England's Most Improved Player since John Ferguson received the honor in 1989.

Keefe, who attended Matignon High School and Cushing Academy, is the son of Jerry and Mary Keefe.

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