University of Maine senior Cory Larose was selected to the All-Hockey East first team and was also named the recipient of the Len Ceglarski Award for his exemplary conduct and sportsmanship on the ice.

Larose, a left winger and captain, was the only Bear chosen to the first, second, or all-rookie teams. The league’s coaches picked the teams.

Senior right winger Jim Leger was the runner-up to New Hampshire’s John Sadowski for the best defensive forward in the league, and sophomore defenseman Doug Janik was a co-runner-up to Boston College’s Mike Mottau for the best defensive defenseman award.

Janik and Bear sophomore right winger Barrett Heisten were all-league honorable mentions.

Joining Larose on the first team were BC’s Mottau and forwards Jeff Farkas and Brian Gionta, BU defenseman Chris Dyment, and UNH goalie Ty Conklin. The second team consisted of UNH forwards Mike Souza and Darren Haydar, BC center Blake Bellefeuille and defenseman Bobby Allen, and BU goalie Rick DiPietro and defenseman Pat Aufiero.

Conklin and Mottau were Co-Players of the Year, DiPietro was Rookie of the Year, and BU’s Jack Parker was Coach of the Year.

Conklin, Mottau, Farkas, and Gionta are also Hobey Baker Award finalists.

Larose is currently the Bears’ leading scorer with 14 goals and a team-high 34 assists for 48 points in 36 games.

He leads the team with 17 multiple-point games, 22 power-play points, and 125 shots on goal, and shares the team lead in game-winning points (8) and goals (4).

The 6-foot, 188-pound native of Campbellton, New Brunswick, notched a league-high 33 points in 24 league games.

“To be mentioned in the same breath with the best in the league is an honor,” said Larose. “I have nothing but respect for them. It’s nice to be singled out like that.”

He added that it was too bad some of his teammates weren’t recognized and said, “You’re only as good as the players around you, and I’ve been around some real good players this year.”

Larose has been assessed only 24 penalty minutes and he follows former teammate Steve Kariya, who won the previous three Ceglarski Awards.

“This was unexpected. I had never been considered for an award like this at any level,” said Larose. “It’s nice. It’s just a matter of respecting the game, the people I play with and against, and the officials. It’s nice to show respect and get respect in return.”

Technical college players honored

Basketball players from three Maine technical colleges were recognized for their athletic performance by the National Small College Athletic Association by being named to the All-American first team.

Central Maine Technical College’s Dan DeBruin of Auburn, Eastern Maine Tech’s Nathan Cyr of Enfield, and Northern Maine Tech’s Jerry Burns of Seal Cove were all named to the All-American first team. CMTC’s Abby Peaslee of Belfast was named to the women’s All-American first team, while teammate Lynn Girouard of Lewiston made the second team.

The NSCAA is a national league comprised of 50 member colleges. Three of Maine’s seven technical colleges participated in the NSCAA national tournament this year.