SYRACUSE, NY – The Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League has announced the end of season awards for the 2023-234 season. Pittsburgh’s Oldrich Virag has won Player of the Year, Niagara’s Charlie Belanger has won Rookie of the Year, and Niagara’s Tom Mooradian has been named the ESCHL Coach of the Year. These awards are voted on by the eight head coaches in the conference. 

Olrich Virag finished the 2023-24 season with 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points – leading the conference in points and goals scored. Virag’s 52 points was also good for 7th in the nation amongst all Division I ACHA players. The Panthers captain added 4 points in 3 ACHA National Tournament games helping Pitt to an impressive post season run where they took down #13 Arizona and #4 Jamestown. The senior from Pisek, Czech Republic finished his ACHA career with 179 points in 116 games played.

Niagara’s Charlie Belanger finished his rookie campaign with 38 points (22-16-38) in 29 games. His 22 goals and 38 points ranked at the top in the conference amongst rookies – a close battle between his Purple Eagle teammate Jakob Kalin who finished with 19 goals and 36 points. The Ottawa, ON native becomes the 2nd consecutive NU player to earn Rookie of the Year honors – Lucas Fancy brought home the award last season.

Also for a second straight season Niagara’s Tom Mooradian was named the ESCHL Coach of the Year. Mooradian led NU to an 9-3-0 conference record taking home the ESCHL regular season title. Niagara finished the 2023-24 season with a 20-8-1 overall record and were ranked 10th in the country.

The ESCHL has also announced the All-Conference team recognition and the All-Conference Rookie Team. Here is the complete list of all the ESCHL award winners.

ESCHL Player of the Year

#43 Olrich Virag | University of Pittsburgh, Forward 

ESCHL Rookie of the Year

#92 Charlie Belanger | Niagara University, Forward

ESCHL Coach of the Year

Tom Mooradian | Niagara University

All-Conference Team

Forward | #23 Devin Sanders | Niagara University

Forward | #43 Oldrich Virag | University of Pittsburgh

Forward | #6 Eddie Pazo | University of Pittsburgh

Defenseman | #17 Jonathon Shaw | University of Rhode Island

Defenseman | #5 Quinn Schneidmiller | Niagara University

Goaltender | #30 Curtis Briggs | University of Rhode Island

All-Conference Rookie Team

Forward | #92 Charlie Belanger | Niagara University

Forward | #98 Jakob Kalin | Niagara University

Forward | #8 Brett Edgren | Syracuse University

Defenseman | #24 Alex Svoboda | New York University

Defenseman | #22 Jack Drohan | University of Rhode Island

Goaltender | #35 Ryan Nocerino | Drexel University