March 26, 2007

Providence, R.I. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team announced its annual team awards on Sunday, March 25 in Providence, R.I. at the program's 2007 Awards Banquet.

Senior goaltender Jana Bugden (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) received three awards including the Most Valuable Player Award, the Academic Award, and the Captain's Award. Bugden was voted the team's Most Valuable Player by her teammates after a season in which she earned HOCKEY EAST Tournament MVP honors. During the 2006-2007 campaign, she also became the school's all-time leader in career saves, finishing with 2,555 stops as a Friar. For her work off the ice, Bugden was awarded the Academic Award, which is presented to the player with the highest cumulative grade point average, by earning a 3.72 GPA from the 2006 spring and fall semesters. There were three other student-athletes in the running for the Academic Award who all posted a 3.00 GPA or higher. Bugden also received the Captain's Award, which is presented annually to the captain of the team in recognition of her leadership and commitment to the squad.

Freshman Colleen Martin (Woburn, Mass.) earned the team's Most Improved Player award as the player that showed the greatest improvement over the course of the season. She played in 35 of the team's 36 games, scoring three goals and adding an assist while helping to anchor the Friar defense.

Senior Kristin Gigliotti (Saquoit, N.Y.) was the recipient of the Coaches' Award. The award is given annually by the members of the coaching staff to the player who the coaches believe surpassed expectations in order to help the team reach a high level of success. For the season, Gigliotti, a defenseman, led the team in scoring with 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points. For her efforts in the HOCKEY EAST Tournament, she was a unanimous selection to the All-Tournament team.

Senior goaltender Lauren Florio (North Providence, R.I.) earned the team's Unsung Hero Award as the player who consistently contributed to the team and its success, but did not receive the recognition she deserved.

Senior Sonny Watrous (Albuquerque, N.M.) and junior Jenna Keilch (Clinton Township, Mich.) were co-recipients of the Seventh Player Award. The award is given annually to the player that performs beyond expectations and is an integral part of the team's success as voted by the team. Watrous finished her career with the distinction of registering at least 11 goals and 11 assists in each of her four seasons with the Friars. Keilch played some of the best hockey through the stretch run, as she netted at least one goal in five of the Friars' last six games.