Stevie DeForge ‘15 and Vincent Desharnais ‘15 are both good at hockey, but it is their exemplary leadership in community service has them nominated as college hockey’s “finest citizen.”
Last month the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation announced its nominees for the 2019 award. According to the foundation’s website, “the award is presented annually to college hockey’s finest citizen — a student-athlete who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism.”
There were 17 nominees on the list, and two of them played their prep hockey at Northwood. Both Vincent Desharnais of Providence College and Stevie Deforge of Babson College were nominated for the award which is a huge honor. DeForge was a postgraduate at Northwood after graduating from Boston College High School. Desharnais attended Northwood as a junior for the 2013-14 school year. He left Northwood before graduating to play junior hockey in the BCHL.
Desharnais, a senior defenseman at Providence, hosted a “PC beats cancer” event which raised $5,100 for the Gloria Gemma Foundation which offers programs for patients, survivors, and loved ones.
Desharnais is a prospect of NHL team Edmonton Oilers, and is alternate captain of the Providence Friars. He has earned Hockey East Academic Team honors over the past two seasons.
Deforge is a senior forward at Babson. Is a part of “Need for Lead” which is a non-profit team of volunteers who motivate young students to become actively involved in charitable initiatives in their communities. The team has raised close to $100,000 for charities and scholarship funds. Events he has been influential in are: United Way Food Drive, Stephen “Guy” DeForge Memorial Golf Tournament, Rodman Ride for Kids, Be a Santa to a Senior, Hemophilia Walk, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Team IMPACT, and the Special Olympics. Stevie also helps with Dexter School and Norwood Youth Hockey programs.
Deforge’s awards and honors include Babson’s Men’s Hockey team tri-captain, Babson student-athlete advisory committee, and 2014 Boston Bruins MIAA Sportsmanship Award recipient.
The fact that two of the nominees were Northwood graduates is outstanding and represents the quality and success that Northwood students aspire to.
The winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony at the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four on April 12 in Buffalo, N.Y.
