SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College men's hockey team announced the team award winners for the 2023-24 season on Tuesday.

Sophomore John Prokop was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. The blueliner earned CCM/AHCA All-American honors after scoring a team-leading 35 points (8-27-35) in 36 games. Prokop was a unanimous ECAC Hockey First Team selection while also earning conference Defender of the Month honors in November and Defender of the Week nods twice. Prokop was recently awarded Union's Harold R. Moore Sophomore Athletic Prize, given to the sophomore male student-athlete for attitude, ability, participation, and achievement in intercollegiate sports.

Seniors Ben Tupker and Nathan Kelly were the recipients of the Scott Richardson Unsung Hero Award. Tupker served the team as the captain for the second year in a row and was honored by ECAC Hockey as the recipient of the Wayne Dean Sportsmanship Award. The captain tallied 19 points (9-10-19) in 34 games. On the defensive side, Nathan Kelly was a staple on the blue line with a career-high eight points (1-7-8) in 35 games. Kelly blocked 41 shots as a senior and recorded his first career goal in the Mayor's Cup.

Sophomore Nick Young earned the Charlie N. Morrison Award, given annually to a player who participates in extracurricular activities while demonstrating academic interest and achievement. Young was one of five skaters to appear in all 37 games and tallied seven points (2-5-7) with a team-leading 61 blocked shots.

Senior Chaz Smedsrud was the recipient of the Coaches Award. Smedsrud had a breakout senior year with 21 points (14-7-21) in 37 games as the assistant captain. The senior led the team with 14 goals and scored a career-best five power-play goals.

Union's Rookie of the Year Award was presented to first-year Jacob Jeannette. The rookie appeared in 33 games at center and tallied eight points (0-8-8). Jeannette scored his first collegiate point against Rensselaer and turned in a multi-point effort at Vermont.

After netting a career-best 10 points (4-6-10) in 29 games, sophomore Colby MacArthur was named the Most Improved Player. MacArthur scored his first collegiate goal at Rensselaer. He scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in Union's win at nationally-ranked Cornell.

Sophomore Brandon Buhr was named the recipient of the Thomas Van Arden Dukehart Academic Award, an award presented to the player with the highest grade point average. Aside from his success in the classroom, Buhr posted 24 points (11-13-24) in 35 games.