CORTLAND, N.Y.—The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announced its top honors for men’s hockey and a pair of Bengals claimed awards as Nikita Kozyrev (Tallinn, Estonia) was tabbed Rookie of the Year and Emil Norrman (Kungsbacka, Sweden) garnered Co-Goalie of the Year honors.
Kozyrev, a freshman forward from Estonia majoring in business, led the Bengals in scoring with 32 points on nine goals and 23 assists in 26 games, including 24 points (five goals and 19 assists) in 16 conference games. His 32 points ranks tied for third in the nation among all freshmen, and is the most points in a single season by any Bengal player since 2008-09.
Norrman, a freshman goalie from Sweden majoring in business, posted a SUNYAC best .931 save percentage which is the second-best percentage in a single-season in school history. He finished fourth in the league with a 2.30 goals against average and won six games including a 31-save shutout victory over Brockport.
Norrman is the third Bengal to earn Goalie of the Year honors in the past four seasons, joining Ian Sylves and Mike DeLavergne.
Buffalo State finished the season 12-12-2 overall and qualified for the SUNYAC playoffs for the 10th-consecutive season.
