Adam Hanna of St. John’s University, a three-time All-American goaltender, has been chosen the winner of the 2006 SID WATSON AWARD, presented to the Division III Player of the Year by the nation’s Division III head coaches. The 6-0, 200 pound native of Owatonna, MN, has recorded a goals against average of 2.02 through 26 games this season and a save percentage of .920. His career numbers are even more staggering. In 69 games, Hanna has a 1.76 average and a .927 save percentage.

“Adam Hanna is the best player on our team,” said St. John’s head coach John Harrington. “He has been the backbone of three MIAC Championships as well as a second place finish this season. He will hold most of our goaltending records when he is finished playing, including career and single season marks for wins, goals against average, save percentage, and shutouts. A Dean’s List student, he epitomizes what a ‘student-athlete’ should be.”

Hanna was a Second Team All-American in 2004 and a First Team choice in both 2005 and 2006. A finalist for the Watson Award last year, Hanna was chosen to participate in the first NCAA Skills Challenge, sponsored by Nike Bauer Hockey, at this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Frozen Four on April 7 in Milwaukee, WI.

The runner-up for this year’s Sid Watson Award was John Bottoms, a SR D at St. Thomas. The other Watson Award finalists were: Kyle Jones, SO G, St. Norbert College; Gus Katsuras, SR F, Hamilton College; and Ryan Woodward, JR F, SUNY at Oswego.

The SID WATSON AWARD, previously known as the College Division Player of the Year Award, is chosen by the AMERICAN HOCKEY COACHES ASSOCIATION. It is named in honor of the legendary Bowdoin College coach and three-time national Coach of the Year.