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Date: March 22, 2005
Contact: Bill Sodoma

 

Men's hockey playe Walsh named All-American

WATERVILLE, Maine ----- Colby College senior defensemen Patrick Walsh's (Choate Rosemary Hall/Easton, Conn.) switch from forward to defensemen two years ago turned out pretty well. He was named a first team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) on Tuesday.

Walsh was having a fine career with the Mules while playing forward during his first two years. However, injury problems on defense last year forced Walsh to move back and help out on defense.

Walsh earned New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) first team honors after his junior and senior seasons. He also earned All-East honors last year and is expected to earn the same honor when the awards are handed out later this month. Walsh also was one of six finalists this season for the Joe Concannon College Hockey Award, which recognizes New England's best American-born Division II-III hockey player.

"I'm proud of Patrick's accomplishments as a player and student here at Colby," Colby head coach Jim Tortorella said. "He epitomizes the philosophy of our institution in balancing academics and athletics. To be selected as one of the best defensemen in the entire country speaks volumes of his character and ability to strive for excellence in all aspects of his life."

Walsh is the 11th Colby player to earn All-America honors and is the fourth player under Tortorella to be honored. Brian Cronin '96, Dan Lavergne '97 and Robert Koh '99 (three-time honoree) are other All-American players under Tortorella.

Walsh led all of Division III in power play goals by a defensemen with nine. He led the NESCAC and was tied for 10th in power play goals. Walsh's 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points ranked him in a tie for 11th nationally in scoring by a defensemen.

In 98 career games at Colby, Walsh had 33 goals and 55 assists for 88 points. Walsh helped the Mules to a 62-28-10 record in his four seasons at Colby.