Four players who have distinguished themselves on the ice in 2008-09 have been named finalists for the 2009 Sid Watson Award, given annually to the best NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey player in the country. All four finalists are seniors and hail from four different conferences and three different countries (United States, Canada, and Russia). They are: Chad Beiswenger of Wisconsin-Superior (Northern Collegiate Hockey Association), Nikita Kashirsky, of Norwich University (ECAC East), Jeff Landers of Amherst College (New England Small College Athletic Conference), and Chris Trafford of Manhattanville College (ECAC West).

Sponsored by the American Hockey Coaches Association, the Watson Award honors the memory of former Bowdoin College head coach and athletic director Sid Watson. A three-time AHCA Coach of the Year, Watson served Bowdoin for more than 30 years, winning 326 games in 24 seasons as head coach.

The recipient of this year's Watson Award will be announced this Thursday, March 19 during the 2009 NCAA Men's Division III "Frozen Four" being played held in Lake Placid, NY. None of the finalists will be playing this weekend.

Finalists for the 2008-09 Watson Award
AHCA Men’s Ice Hockey College Division Player of the Year

Chad Beiswenger, SR, G, Wisconsin-Superior
(Moorhead, MN)
Nikita Kashirsky, SR, F, Norwich University
(Moscow, Russia)
Jeff Landers, SR, D, Amherst College
(Hanover, MA)
Chris Trafford, SR, F, Manhattanville College
(Kinburn, ON)