2003-04 Captains

(Left to right)
#6 Eric Pedersen (C), Senior Defenseman, Saugus, Mass.
#9 Marco Rosa (C), Senior Forward, Whitby, Ont.
#27 Tony Johnson (A), Senior Defenseman, Woburn, Mass.
#8 Tim Reidy (A), Senior Forward, Shrewsbury, Mass.

• Scores and Results (Links to recaps/box scores)
• Final Statistics
• Team Roster & Profiles
• News
• Pre-season Outlook
• "The Conway Report" (Clippings from columnist Kevin Conway)

Hockey East: Final Standings/Awards | Statistics

Rosa Named Team MVP
Senior forward and co-captain Marco Rosa was named as Merrimack's Most Valuable Player for 2003-04 at the team's annual banquet held on April 16. Eric Pedersen was the Outstanding Defensive Player, the second straight year he received the award, while Brent Gough was the Outstanding Offensive Player. Tim Reidy received the Fans' Award, and Pedersen and Rosa shared the Coaches' Award. The Francis J. "Buzz" Miller Unsung Hero Award went to Tony Johnson for the second straight year, and Jim Healey was the Rookie of the Year. Also, the J. Thom Lawler Memorial Award was presented to alumnus Jack O'Neill, while assistant athletic trainer Tim Grinnell received the Richard Britt Humanitarian Award. Graduating seniors Johnson, Pedersen, Reidy, Rosa and Jeremy Wilson all were honored and spoke at the event, which was attended by over 150, including players, coaches, family, staff, faculty and supporters.

Rosa Named Best Defensive Forward In New England
Senior forward and co-captain Marco Rosa was selected as the Best Defensive Forward in New England Division I college hockey by the New England Hockey Writers Association. Rosa led the Warrior penalty kill to a school best 85.6%, 13th nationally and second overall among Hockey East teams. He also led Merrimack with 15 goals and added 10 assists for 25 points. The awards encompass all 20 Division I teams playing in the six New England states and are voted on by media members of the Association.

Healey Named To Hockey East All-Rookie Team
Freshman goaltender Jim Healey was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team at the league's annual awards banquet on March 18. Healey was also the runner-up as Hockey East Rookie of the Year to Maine forward Michel Leveille. It was the third time in five years that a Warrior finished as runner-up in the balloting and the fifth time in six years that Merrimack has placed a player on the All-Rookie Team. Also, senior forward Marco Rosa was an Honorable Mention to the Hockey East All-Star Team.

Exter Earns First Pro Win in First Start
Joe Exter '03 earned his first professional win on Feb. 7 with 20 saves as the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers won in overtime at Cincinnati, 4-3. It was the third appearance of his pro career and first start. Exter finished with a record of 8-2-0, two shutouts, a 2.30 GAA and a .924 save percentage in 15 regular season appearances. Exter, 25, had signed with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL, as reported by Kevin Conway of the Eagle-Tribune on Dec. 27. He reported to the Nailers, making his debut on Jan. 10 against Cincinnati. The signing came ten months after the former Warrior goaltender suffered a near fatal head injury during the Hockey East Quarterfinals. Exter will have his AHL contract renewed automatically for 2004-05 by playing in 15 games this season, and his deal also includes a guaranteed invitation to the Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp next fall. He had been training at Merrimack since August in preparation for his return to hockey. Kevin Conway had this story on March 7, 2004, the one year anniversary of the injury.

Hockey East Honors Merrimack "Friends"
As part of the ongoing celebration of Hockey East's 20th anniversary, the league recently acknowledged 20 "Special Friends" of Hockey East. Recognized from Merrimack were brothers John and Rick Savastano. Among their many activities in support of Warrior hockey over three decades, John has served as the team's technical specialist, coordinating arena music and game videotape, while Rick has long been the clock operator and PA announcer at the Lawler Arena. Thanks to John, Rick and the many others who help in support of the Merrimack program.

"Hockey East Q&A" with Marco Rosa
Hockey East Online, the official web site of Hockey East, featured Merrimack senior forward and co-captain Marco Rosa (Whitby, Ont.) in its "Hockey East Q&A" with league personalities. The feature was posted on Jan. 7.

"The Biggest Save"
On March 7, 2003, Merrimack's All-Hockey East senior goaltender and captain Joe Exter ('03) suffered a life-threatening head injury in a collision during a Hockey East playoff game. Exter spent nine days in a coma and a month in the hospital. Tom O'Brien, Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Sports Information, wrote this heartwarming story about Joe's leadership, courage and determination, as well as how Joe's family and the Merrimack and hockey communities rallied around him in a touching display of support that will never be forgotten. The story was originally published in the Summer 2003 issue of Merrimack Magazine, the school's alumni publication, and is provided here with permission of the author. Joe's miraculous comeback continues to this day as he pursues his dream of playing professional hockey. He spent the summer coaching in area hockey schools and taking shots on the ice several days a week, looking forward to an MRI exam which hopefully will result in him being cleared to practice and then move on to pro hockey. Updates: Bill Burt of the Eagle-Tribune had this story on Joe's progress on Sept. 28, 2003. Also, Joe made his debut as an analyst for college hockey broadcasts on CSTV (College Sports Television) on Oct. 10 during the network's coverage of Notre Dame-Ohio State. And on Dec. 27, Kevin Conway of the Eagle-Tribune reported that Joe signed a pro contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL and reported to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL to begin his pro career.

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