Utica University men's hockey player Scoville named 2023-24 Empire 8 Man of the Year – Troy Record

UTICA, NY — Brian Scoville, a three-year member of the Utica University men’s hockey team, has been named the 2023-24 Empire 8 Conference Man of the Year. The award honors a male student-athlete who has distinguished himself or herself during his or her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.

Scoville recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.7 grade point average in cybersecurity.

A standout defenseman, Scoville earned numerous honors in 2023-24 for the Pioneers, who won their third consecutive United Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four for the second time in program history. Scoville, a 2023-24 American Hockey Coaches Association First Team All-American, was nominated for the 2024 Sid Watson Award as Division III Player of the Year after winning both the 2023-24 UCHC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He became the first student-athlete in league history to win both awards in the same season.

Scoville, who was Utica’s team captain in 2023-24, finished second among all Division III defensemen with 33 points and 1.10 points per game. He scored nine goals and added 24 assists in 30 games and had a plus-40 rating, which was second in all of Division III. Scoville scored five power-play goals and added two game-winning goals. Overall, Scoville scored at least one point in 21 games and had eight multi-point outings. He capped the season by winning Utica’s prestigious Jim “Doc” Spartano Outstanding Senior Athlete Award.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the Empire 8 Man of the Year Award,” said Scoville. “My sincere thanks go out to the Empire 8 Conference for this extraordinary honor. I am honored to have been a member of such a distinguished group of successful individuals at the conference. I am grateful to Utica University for giving me the opportunity to flourish academically and athletically during my undergraduate education.”

“I am grateful to Coach Gary Heenan, Nick Therrien, Adam Dekker, Neil Trout and Dan Senif for their tireless support and mentorship throughout my collegiate career at Utica University. Their dedication to my growth, both on the ice and as a person, has been vital. I also want to give a special shoutout to my teammates with whom I have shared every high and low. Finally, a sincere thank you to my family, whose unwavering support has been the cornerstone of my success. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”

Scoville began his college career at Division I University of Alabama-Huntsville in 2020-21, appearing in all 22 games for the Chargers that season, scoring a goal and adding two assists while blocking 32 shots. He arrived at Utica in 2021-22 after the UAH program ceased operations. Scoville made an immediate impact on the Utica blueline that season, scoring 17 points on five goals and 12 assists to go along with a plus-32 rating while helping the Pioneers to a 25-3-1 record. In 2022-23, Scoville dished out 16 assists while helping the Pioneers to a second straight 25-win season and the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking in the USCHO.com Men’s Hockey national poll.

“What a great honor for our captain,” said Gary Heenan, Utica Men's Hockey Head Coach. “Brian is a man of tremendous character and integrity. He leads by example in the classroom, in the community and most definitely on the ice.”

Academically, Scoville was selected to the Empire 8 President's List twice, was a three-time recipient of the Utica Dean's List, and earned High Honors awards. Additionally, he interned at Adirondack Bank in System Security. Off the ice, Scoville was a vital and active member of the Utica University campus community, volunteering with the Utica Rescue Mission, Chili Cook Off at the Pines, UCP Buddy Walk, Parkinson's Walk at Presbyterian Home, New Hartford Farmer's Market, and Red Cross Fire Safety Readings at Harts Hill and Albany St. Elementary Schools.

“We are so proud of Brian and his accomplishments,” said Dave Fontaine, Utica University Director of Athletics. “What is most impressive is that Brian is a humble and grateful person, a true leader. He would be the first to give credit to his teammates and recognize their successes above his own. I can't think of a person more deserving of this special honor.”

In three seasons with Utica, Scoville, a native of Agawam, MA, recorded 66 points on 14 goals and 52 assists in 88 games and posted an impressive plus-94 rating while blocking 52 shots. Utica finished 74-9-5 in Scoville's three seasons, including a 56-0-2 record in UCHC regular season play. He led the Pioneers to three consecutive UCHC Championships and three trips to the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Championship Tournament.

“Brian is a tremendous representative of Utica University and Empire 8 on and off the ice,” said Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner Joe Venniro. “Brian captained a young Utica team with 16 new players to arguably the best season in program history last season, resulting in a spot in the Division III Frozen Four and All-American honors, but his work in the classroom and leadership roles within the Utica community are just as distinguished. He is the well-deserved winner of the Utica Man of the Year award.”

Scoville will now move on to the national DIII Commissioner's Association Senior Male Athlete of the Year award. He led a strong contingent of seven outstanding nominees considered by the Empire 8 Man of the Year Committee. Last year's Empire 8 Man of the Year, Noah Campanelli, a baseball player for St. John Fisher University, was named DIII Commissioner's Association Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

Finalists Empire 8 Man of the Year 2023-24:

Emiliano Terrazas, Swimming and Diving, Alfred University
Amedeo Mastrangeli, ice hockey, Elmira College
Mikey Schultz, Swimming and Diving, Hartwick College
Levi Webb, Football and Tennis, Houghton University
Quinn McKercher, Lacrosse, University of Nazareth
James Murphy, baseball, St. John Fisher University
Brian Scoville, ice hockey, Utica University

Originally published: July 23, 2024 at 3:42 PM