Suffolk University senior captain Shana Cote earned second team All-American honors, the American Hockey Coaches Association announced Thursday.
Cote became the first Ram in history to earn American Hockey Coaches Association All-American honors as she finished her historic season with 42 points, 22 goals and 20 assists.
“Finding out that I had earned All-American was truly shocking,” said Cote. “I didn’t realize that I was noticed by coaches to get voted to become an All-American. It is truly an honor to be the first ice hockey player out of men’s and women’s to ever receive this award.”
Cote helped lead the Rams to their best record in history, finishing the season with a record of 19-6-0 that earned the team the second best record in the CCC, only trailing Endicott College.
Cote finished her senior season as third in the country for game winning goals, having had six, fourth in goals per game average (0.92) and seventh in points per game average (1.72). She also had an impressive nine power play goals and 306 faceoff wins, which ranked her at third and ninth in the country, respectively.
The Broomfield, Colo., native earned CCC player of the year honors and was also named as a finalist for the Laura Hurd award, which is given to the country’s best player at the Division III level.
“I’ve been playing hockey since I was four, so my whole life has been dedicated to the sport. Knowing that I have been recognized for all the hard work that I have done feels amazing,” said Cote. “I think that being nominated as a [Laura Hurd] finalist gives me a goal to strive for next year.”
Along with Cote being recognized for her outstanding play on the ice, Suffolk’s head coach Taylor Wasylk was also recognized for her work behind the bench. Wasylk was named a finalist for the Division III Coach of the Year award and was also named CCC Coach of the Year.
“[Wasylk] plays to win which is important because we probably wouldn’t be as successful without that will to win,” said Cote. “For her being such a young coach, I think she has been doing an amazing job at recruiting great people on and off the ice. We truly have a great group of girls who would do absolutely anything for each other, and that starts from Coach Taylor making sure that they are great people.”
Cote finishes her senior season holding numerous records for the Rams, including goals, assists and points in a season.
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