Six members of the Hobart College hockey team were honored by the Statesmen Athletic Association and the Hobart Athletic Department at the Block H Dinner on April 23. Senior goalie Frank Oplinger and junior forward Jonas Toupal shared the Boswell Award as the team’s Most Valuable Players.
Senior forwards Ben Greiner and Jordan Haskell shared the Holden Award for their sportsmanship, character and leadership while first-year forward Andrew Longo received the D. Michael Hazelton ’85 Memorial Award as the team’s most improved player. First-year defenseman Mike Faulkner brought home the Rookie Award for Hockey.
A third team All-NEHC selection, Oplinger played 15 games in goal this season for the Statesmen, posting a 9-3-3 overall record. He finished his senior season with a 2.06 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. Oplinger compiled three shutouts this season, including two in the NEHC tournament. He stopped all 30 shots he faced in the conference championship game to lead Hobart to a 3-0 victory over Norwich, earning NEHC Tournament MVP honors. Oplinger finished the season second in the NEHC in winning percentage (.700), third in goals against average and fourth in save percentage.
A three-time conference all-academic team selection, Oplinger saw action in 64 career games, recording a 44-13-5 overall record. He is second in program history in career goals against average (2.13), and third in wins (44), save percentage (.927), and shutouts (7). He also ranked fourth in career saves (1,717). Oplinger won every conference tournament game he played in and was a three-time all-tournament team selection.
Oplinger was also presented the William C. Stiles ’43 Memorial Award for leadership, determination and character at the Block H. Dinner.
A first team All-NEHC selection, Toupal led Hobart with 15 goals and 32 points and was second on the team with 17 assists. He was one of four players to play in all 29 games this season. Toupal’s five game-winning goals were the most in the NEHC this season, including the deciding goal in wins over then No. 7 Oswego and then No. 11/13 Norwich. He ranked in the top five in the conference in five other offensive categories, including third in goals and power play goals (6) and fifth in points, power play points (11), and assists. He logged two or more points 11 times this season.
Toupal has played in 84 games in his career, including all 58 in the last two seasons. He has compiled 29 goals, 33 assists and 62 points in his first three seasons. Toupal was a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection as a sophomore.
A captain, Greiner played in all 29 games for Hobart this season. He compiled 17 points on six goals and 11 assists. He notched a season-high four points on a goal and three assists in a win over Castleton. Greiner scored game-winning goals in wins over Castleton and Skidmore. He made his professional hockey debut earlier this spring, playing for the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals and the SPHL’s Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. In three games with the Rail Yard Dawgs, he tallied one assist.
The MVP of the 2017 ECAC West Tournament, Greiner was one of three recipients of the Arnitz Sportsmanship Award. He played in 57 games at Hobart after transferring from Bowling Green following his sophomore year. He logged 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 career points.
An assistant captain, Haskell played in 26 games for Hobart this season. He tallied nine goals and eight assists for 17 points. Haskell tallied a season-high two goals in wins over Southern Maine and Connecticut College. He was named to the NEHC All-Tournament Team, registering a goal and an assist in three tournament games. Haskell also made his professional hockey debut this spring, playing two games for the Norfolk Admirals.
Haskell played in 91 career games as a Statesman, recording 44 points on 18 goals and 26 assists. He is a three-time all-academic team member, twice with the ECAC and once with the NEHC.
Longo played in 12 games during his rookie season for the Statesmen. He compiled eight goals and four assists for 12 points. Longo scored two game-winning goals at Norwich this season. On Feb. 9, he struck with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation to send Hobart to a 5-4 victory. In the NEHC championship game, Longo scored the game’s first goal as Hobart defeated the Cadets 3-0. He was named to the All-Tournament team following the game.
The NEHC Co-Rookie of the Year, Faulkner played in 24 games during his rookie season. He was fifth on the team with 18 points (4g, 14a). Faulkner was third in the conference in defenseman scoring, tied for fourth in rookie scoring and tied for 10th in assists. He logged a season-high four points on a goal and three assists in an 8-1 victory over Southern Maine. Faulkner earned a spot on the All-Tournament team after guiding the Hobart defense to shutout victories over Southern Maine and top-seeded Norwich. He also dished out two assists in the Statesmen’s NCAA first round game against Geneseo. Faulkner played a key role in the Statesmen defense that ranked sixth in Division III in scoring defense (1.90). He also received the Abe Solomon Memorial Award as Hobart’s Rookie of the Year.
