Durocher, Nearis Honored by New England Hockey Writers Association
March 31, 2023 | Women's Ice Hockey
BOSTON – Brian Durocher and senior Julia Nearis of the Boston University women's ice hockey team will both be honored at this year's New England Hockey Writers Association reception as Durocher will be receiving the Parker-York Award and Nearis is this year's Joe Tomasello Unsung Hero Award honoree.
The Parker-York Award recognizes unique contributions to New England amateur hockey and Durocher is a co-recipient this year along with one of the award's namesakes, Jerry York.
Durocher retired after a 45-year coaching career, highlighted by his impressive success as BU's first women's varsity head coach. He led the Terriers to five Hockey East tournament titles, including four straight from 2012-15, and the first two Hockey East teams to reach the NCAA women's championship game were Durocher's 2010-11 and 2012-13 squads. He accumulated 336 victories over 18 seasons and his win total ranks 10th all-time amongst Division I women's coaches. The Longmeadow, Mass., native guided BU to six NCAA tournament appearances – all in succession – from 2010 to 2015.
Earlier in his career, Durocher had three stints as an assistant for the BU men's team under head coach Jack Parker and also coached at Colgate, Brown and American International. In his playing days, he was a four-year letter winner at BU and co-captain of the Terriers' 1978 national championship squad.
Nearis led the Terriers in points (24), goals (12) and power-play goals (5) this season and finished her BU career with 64 points (31g, 33a) in 103 contests. The Beverly, Mass., native has been a key point-scorer ever since her freshman year, when she finished third among Hockey East rookies with 12 goals. Her between-the-legs goal against Boston College on Oct. 22 this season made ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 Plays.
This year's New England Hockey Writers Association reception will take place on Wednesday, April 19.
The Parker-York Award recognizes unique contributions to New England amateur hockey and Durocher is a co-recipient this year along with one of the award's namesakes, Jerry York.
Durocher retired after a 45-year coaching career, highlighted by his impressive success as BU's first women's varsity head coach. He led the Terriers to five Hockey East tournament titles, including four straight from 2012-15, and the first two Hockey East teams to reach the NCAA women's championship game were Durocher's 2010-11 and 2012-13 squads. He accumulated 336 victories over 18 seasons and his win total ranks 10th all-time amongst Division I women's coaches. The Longmeadow, Mass., native guided BU to six NCAA tournament appearances – all in succession – from 2010 to 2015.
Earlier in his career, Durocher had three stints as an assistant for the BU men's team under head coach Jack Parker and also coached at Colgate, Brown and American International. In his playing days, he was a four-year letter winner at BU and co-captain of the Terriers' 1978 national championship squad.
Nearis led the Terriers in points (24), goals (12) and power-play goals (5) this season and finished her BU career with 64 points (31g, 33a) in 103 contests. The Beverly, Mass., native has been a key point-scorer ever since her freshman year, when she finished third among Hockey East rookies with 12 goals. Her between-the-legs goal against Boston College on Oct. 22 this season made ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 Plays.
This year's New England Hockey Writers Association reception will take place on Wednesday, April 19.
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