[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 57 (Monday, April 20, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE PROVIDENCE COLLEGE MEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM FOR WINNING 
             THE 2015 NCAA DIVISION I NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I stand with great pleasure and pride, along 
with Senator Whitehouse, to congratulate the Providence College men's 
hockey team in winning the 2015 NCAA Division I National Championship, 
and I am pleased to have worked with my colleague Senator Whitehouse in 
adopting a resolution last week to honor this great accomplishment.
  This is the first national championship in the history of PC's men's 
hockey club, and I am sure this season will be long remembered by 
Providence College players, coaches, staff, and fans.
  The championship game featured phenomenal plays and contributions 
from many Friars players, including a career-high 49 saves by 
goaltender Jon Gillies, and one goal each from Anthony Florentino, Mark 
Jankowski, Tom Parisi, and Brandon Tanev.
  I would like to congratulate all of the Friars players whose season-
long hard work and dedication made this successful season possible. The 
2015 PC men's hockey team consisted of: Rhode Island's own Noel 
Acciari, Mark Adams, Brooks Behling, Alex Cromwell, Logan Day, Stefan 
Demopoulos, Nick Ellis, Anthony Florentino, Jon Gillies, John Gilmour, 
Robbie Hennessey, Mark Jankowski, Brendan Leahy, Shane Luke, Conor 
MacPhee, Ross Mauermann, Kyle McKenzie, Steven McParland, Trevor 
Mingoia, Josh Monk, Tom Perisi, Brian Pinho, Truman Reed, Kevin Rooney, 
Niko Rufo, Nick Saracino, Brandon Tanev, and Jake Walman. I will 
apologize for my Rhode Island accent.
  I would also like to extend my best wishes to PC player Drew Brown, 
who missed this season while battling a rare form of bone cancer and is 
thankfully now reported to be cancer-free. But he contributed in many 
ways to the success of the team.
  Additionally, I want to recognize the coaches and staff whose 
commitment and preparation was essential to winning this national 
championship, especially head coach Nate Leaman, who won the 
championship in only his fourth season at PC. The other coaches and 
staff of the 2015 PC men's hockey team were: associate head coach Steve 
Miller, assistant coach Kris Mayotte, coordinator of Men's Hockey 
operations Kyle Murphy, and goaltending coach Jim McNiff.
  I also commend Providence College President Father Brian Shanley and 
athletic director Robert Driscoll on their accomplishments and 
extraordinary dedication to the school and to the community of Rhode 
Island.
  Again, I join many in the State of Rhode Island and around the hockey 
world in congratulating the Providence College men's ice hockey team on 
their incredible national championship season and wish them continued 
success in the future.
  I am proud to yield the floor to my colleague Senator Whitehouse.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I am very pleased and also very proud 
to follow the senior Senator and my colleague and to join Senator Reed 
in congratulating our Providence College men's ice hockey team on 
winning its first-ever national championship. The Friars edged out 
Boston University 4 to 3 a week ago Saturday night in PC's first trip 
to the Frozen Four in 30 years. The BU-PC event was a southern New 
England showdown that brought more than 18,000 hockey fans to Boston's 
TD Garden. Playing so close to home, PC had plenty of support from the 
stands. They also had a little bit of good luck, but it was more than 
luck that put Providence College over the top.
  Those kids played their hearts out, and forward Brandon Tanev's go-
ahead score in the third period to seal the win was no fluke. The 
Friars earned that victory, and Rhode Islanders couldn't be more proud 
of them.
  Head coach Nate Leaman said that when it gets to be that late in the 
season and when there is that kind of championship pressure, ``You 
win,'' he said, ``with guys that are gritty. . . . ''
  Well, Senator Reed and I are excited to join Providence College 
president Father Brian Shanley and the entire PC community in 
celebrating this historic win. Congratulations to Coach Leaman and his 
staff, to goalie Jon Gillies, who was named Frozen Four Most 
Outstanding Player, and to all the PC players who fought so hard all 
season to this wonderful result.
  As junior forward Noel Acciari, a native of Johnston, RI, put it, 
``We might be a small State, but we're hard workers.''
  Well done, Friars. You are, indeed, hard workers and your hard work 
paid off.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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