Hat Tricks Take Home Three FPHL Regular Season Awards

DANBURY — The Federal Prospects Hockey League has announced the selections for the Empire Division First Line All Stars and Empire Division Rookie All Stars and the Hat Tricks have three winners. These players are being recognized by the league for their outstanding performance during the 2023-24 Regular Season. These selections are from a voting process by two (2) representatives from each FPHL member club and then a verification by the FPHL League Staff. All Star selections were secondary to the league highest honors of league M.V.P,  Goaltender, Forward, and Defenseman of the Year.

First Team All Star: F Jonny Ruiz ("C")

A 2021-22 First Team All-Star and Forward of the Year and a 2022-23 Second Team All-Star, Jonny Ruiz currently ranks 4th in the league in points (72) and goals (36), and 2nd in power play goals (11). The Hat Tricks’ captain paces the group in goals, assists (36), points, power play goals, shorthanded goals (4), game-winning goals (6), and +/- (+16).  The Williamstown, New Jersey native is the all-time Danbury Hockey leader in goals (145), assists (121), and points (266) and played in his 200th FPHL game on Feb. 16, 2024. Ruiz is the Hat Tricks' single-season leader in goals (39) and points (85) and is second in assists (36).

During his career in the FPHL, with Danbury and Elmira, Ruiz has tallied 155 goals, 127 assists, and 282 points. Ruiz played collegiately at Johnson and Wales University (2015-17) and UMASS-Dartmouth (2017-19). He was captain his senior season at UMASS-Dartmouth.

FIRST TEAM Rookie ALL STAR: G Conor McCollum

Along with having the most wins (24), minutes played (2278:11), and assists (6) as a goalie in the FPHL, Conor McCollum holds a 24-12-3 record, 3.00 goals against average, and a .918 save percentage. The rookie netminder has played 39 of Danbury's 55 games this season, starting in 38 of them. The Pickering, Ontario native recorded his first professional shutout on Dec. 22, 2023, against the Port Huron Prowlers after stopping all 24 shots.

Before joining the Hat Tricks, the 27-year-old played at Acadia University (USports) from 2018-23 where he was awarded the Acadia Men's Hockey MVP,  Acadia Men's Sports Leadership Award, and Acadia Hockey Community Service Award.

FIRST TEAM Rookie ALL STAR: F Corey Cunningham

Danbury’s second-leading goal scorer (23), Corey Cunningham currently ranks second on the team in power-play goals (7) and fifth in points (42). Through the first 34 games of his professional career, the Prince George, British Columbia native has notched two hat tricks (March 15 & Dec. 9) and two four-point efforts (March 15 & Jan. 5).

Before joining Danbury, Cunningham, 22-years-old, suited up for SUNY Geneseo (2022-23) after playing in the BCHL for the Prince George Spruce Kings from 2017-21 and the Trail Smoke Eaters from 2021-22.

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