Div. I Icers forward Neal Price, who led Penn State with 56 points this season (18 goals and 38 assists), was named the ACHA Player of the Year on Wednesday, leading a group of four Penn State first team All-Americans.

Goalie Scott Graham, forward Glenn Zuck and defenseman Josh Mandel were also named first team All-Americans. The ACHA awards committee also chose defenseman Scott Curry as a third team All-American and forward Kevin Jaeger as an Honorable Mention All-American. Zuck, who had 24 goals and 31 assists on the season, said Price deserved his Player of the Year selection.

"He was an all-around player for us," Zuck said. "He scored, he had assists, played the power player, the penalty kill. He had a strong national tournament." Price said his top honor came as a surprise. "I think it's wonderful," he said. "Both me and Glenn had a great shot at it." Price added that the four Icers first team All-American selections, following the Icers' third consecutive ACHA title this season, shows that Penn State had some of the best players in the country.

"We were definitely the best team in the nation," Price said.

"We worked really hard and accomplished the goals we set out to accomplish."

Because all four first team All-Americans and Jaeger will return to the Icers next season, Penn State should have another strong team.

"We should be even better next year," Price said.

Seven Icers players were also named Academic All-Americans. Defenseman Dant Hirsch, Curry, Graham, and forwards Bob Pate, Paul Sealock, Joe McArdle and Kyle Jordan were honored. Juniors or seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better, who have significantly contributed to their team throughout the season are eligible for academic All-American status.

"It shows a lot about Coach (Joe Battista) to find players that can succeed in athletics and academics," Price said.