WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University's sophomore forward Matt Gosiewski (Wilton, Conn.) has been named a semifinalist for the Walter Brown Award, which is given annually to the best American-born Division I college hockey player in New England.

The prestigious award is in its 69^th year of being presented, and is administered by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston.

Gosiewski is one of 19 semifinalists in contention for the award. The group of semifinalists comes from 10 different schools across New England, and features 11 forwards, 5 defensemen and 3 goalies.

In this condensed 2020-21 season, Gosiewski is averaging nearly one point per game. He has 12 points, on 5 goals and 7 assists, in 15 games. He's had a number of big performances this season. A three assist effort helped the Falcons to a 4-2 win over Army West Point on Dec. 4. He had one goal and one assist in a 6-3 victory over Air Force on Jan. 31, and on Feb. 16 he scored in overtime to give Bentley a 5-4 win at Sacred Heart.

Last season as a freshman, Gosiewski was named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie team after he had 10 goals and 14 assists.

The Walter Brown Award is the nation's oldest recognized college hockey award. It's named for the legendary coach who led the first American team to win the World Championship Tournament in 1933.

A Bentley alum is a previous winner of the award. Brett Gensler, a 2014 graduate, won the award as a sophomore for the 2011-12 season when he put up 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points that season.

He is still the only player from Atlantic Hockey to have won the award.

The 2021 winner of the Walter Brown Award will be announced on March 21.