Keating, Gilmour, MacDougall AUS Award Winners
(FREDERICTON, NB) Austen Keating had his best season as a member of the UNB REDS men’s hockey team and that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The gifted forward has been named the Most Valuable Player in Atlantic University Sport.
Keating was one of three REDS recognized with one of the conference’s major awards.
Line-mate Brady Gilmour was named the league’s Most Sportsmanlike Player and head coach Gardiner MacDougall was named AUS Coach of the Year.
The REDS went 30-0-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) to finish atop the AUS standings and earn a first-round playoff bye.
“Looking at all the talented players in our league, to receive this award is a huge honour,” said Keating. “Even though this is an individual award, it’s really a team award with the way we push each other on and off the ice and find a way to get better each and every day. Becoming stronger as a team has helped personal gain.”
Keating led the AUS in scoring with 23 goals and 27 assists. His 50 points were second most in all of U SPORTS.
His plus-47 was tops in the country.
Gilmour scored 12 goals and added 29 assists, finishing fourth among AUS scorers, while taking just eight penalty minutes.
“I always try to play hard and compete whenever I’m on the ice, while staying disciplined,” said the Master of Business Administration student. “I think I did a good job of that this season, so I’m grateful to be receiving this award.”
MacDougall is the conference’s top coach for the sixth time in his career, his last coming in 2016-17.
“This award is always impactful as it is voted on by your opponents in the league,” said MacDougall. “In the big picture, it really is a team award. Full credit to our players, coaching and support staff for truly having a special regular season.”
Keating is the sixth UNB player to be named AUS MVP, an award Philippe Maillet won twice, and the first since Chris Clapperton in 2018-19.
Gilmour is the sixth UNB player to be named Most Sportsmanlike, an award Chris Culligan won twice, and the first since Joe Gatenby in 2021-22.
Keating and Gilmour were also named AUS 1st Team All-Stars, along with REDS defenceman Kale McCallum.
UNB blueliners Kade Landry and Adam McCormick were named AUS 2nd Team All-Stars and forward Sean McGurn was named to the AUS All-Rookie Team.
“There are many others on our team that could’ve been selected to these teams,” said Keating. “That shows the strength of our team is our team, with the relationships we’ve built. They’re unbreakable. Everyone is committed to team success.”
“I think that a bunch of guys being recognized as All-Stars is a great honour,” added Gilmour. “It shows how deep of a team we have. A lot of our teammates had career best years. We’re grateful to receive these accolades, which we couldn’t have done without our teammates and coaching staff.”
“Now everyone is focused on our first game of the playoffs,” he added. “We’re all aware that team success is more important than individual success.”
The REDS are preparing for the AUS semi-finals. They’ll host a to be determined opponent in the first game of that best of five series on Friday, February 23rd. Game time is 7:00pm.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTO BY: James West/for UNB Athletics