The UMass hockey program announced its 2012-13 team awards at the squad's annual banquet on Saturday afternoon. Five individuals collected honors, including Branden Gracel who was named team MVP in recognition of his stellar junior campaign.
Gracel led the Minutemen in scoring this season and was among the top faceoff men in the nation. One of five players who appeared in all 34 games for UMass, Gracel totaled 34 points on 14 goals and 20 assists, all career bests for the Calgary, Alberta, native who led the Minutemen in each of those categories en route his first career Hockey East Honorable Mention All-Star recognition. In 27 league contests, he logged a team-high 25 points on 10 goals and 15 helpers.
Over the dots, Gracel won 406 of 682 faceoffs for a .595 clip to rank ninth in the nation in faceoff percentage and first in Hockey East. He was a team-best +7 on the year and contributed two power-play goals and one short-handed tally, as well.