Mark Taylor

Craig Levey

March 7, 2003

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College Head Coach Mark Taylor was recently named the ECAC West Hockey Coach of the Year as voted by the coaches around the league. The Statesmen earned four other spots on the All-Star teams with sophomore Craig Levey (Mississauga, Ontario) leading the way with first-team honors. Sophomore defenseman Stephen Mitacek (Wantagh, N.Y.) garnered second-team accolades, while Colby McVey (Chicago, Ill.) and Will Bodine (North Massapequa, N.Y.) were both named to the All-Rookie Team.

In just his third season at the helm, Taylor has guided Hobart to a 14-9-2 overall record, its first winning season since 1992-93 and just one win shy of tying the all time mark set by the 1978-79 team. The 2002-03 team’s .600 winning percentage for the regular season is the highest ever in Hobart history, while Taylor’s .440 career winning percentage (30-39-6) with the Statesmen ranks second all-time. Sporting a 4-5-1 conference record, Hobart swept the season series with Elmira College for the first time in school history, earning the Statesmen a spot in the conference tournament for the second consecutive year.

Levey leads the Statesmen offense with 18 goals and 14 assists, including six power-play goals. A three-time ECAC West Player of the Week, he sits atop the conference statistics with 11 goals in 10 league games, while his three game-winning goals this season is third in the ECAC West. He posted his second career hat trick on Nov. 8, in a win over Neumann College and scored at least one point in all but four games.

Playing in every game for Hobart, Mitacek has contributed one goal and nine assists this season. He recorded two points in a game three times this season and is fourth among Hobart’s defensemen in scoring.

A three-time ECAC West Rookie of the Week, McVey is second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and 14 assists. He recorded his first collegiate goal on Nov. 16, against Neumann and notched a career-high three points on Jan. 25, in a win over Brockport. His 24 points rank him second among all rookies in the conference.

A rookie defenseman, Bodine’s five goals and 11 assists leads the Hobart defense and is fifth in the ECAC West. He notched a season-high three points on Feb. 7, in Hobart’ 6-5 upset of ninth-ranked Elmira College.

The fourth seed in the ECAC West Tournament, the Statesmen will face off against top-seeded RIT tonight at 7 p.m., at the Frank Ritter Arena.