In the summer of 2009, the Forester family, especially the women’s hockey program, lost a valued member when 21-year-old Ryann McCarthy passed away after courageously battling an aggressive form of cancer. The Ry McCarthy Memorial Hockey Award was established to celebrate her life and continue her memory.
The award is presented annually to the Forester, selected by her teammates, whose spirit, determination, dedication, and love for the game of hockey best exemplify the qualities that Ry possessed. In her two years at Lake Forest, McCarthy set team records for career save percentage, goals against average, and winning percentage.
The 2022 recipient of the award was Grace Black. Hailing from Brookfield, Wisconsin, the senior forward is a biology major. She’s a two-time NCHA All-Academic Team member and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honors Society in 2021. Black made her first appearance on the ice in Forester red and black on November 9, 2018 against Aurora University and celebrated his first goal against Adrian College on January 25, 2019.
For the 27th year, the Lake Forest College men’s hockey team voted for the recipient of the Peter Taylor Award. This season the award was presented to senior Josh Giacomin.
The Peter Taylor award was established as a fond tribute by his family, friends and former teammates. It is awarded annually to the player, selected by his teammates, whose outstanding talent, leadership, and love for the game best exemplify the qualities of the player for whom it is named. Peter attended Lake Forest College, where he became the leading scorer in College history with 130 total points and was named to the 1973 Western Division College All-American team. After earning his BA in Politics from Lake Forest College in 1973, Peter turned his energies to the local community, teaching and coaching hockey for the Lake Forest Recreation Department.
Giacomin is a two-year captain and an economics major, who came to Lake Forest from Calgary, Alberta. He was named to the NCHA All-Freshman Team after this rookie season. He’s earned AHCA All American Scholar status three times and been named to the NCHA All-Academic Team twice. In 2021, he was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honors Society. He’s been NCHA Offensive Player of the Week twice, once his freshman year and again his sophomore year. Also in his sophomore year, he was named Forester Athlete of the Week and All-NCHA. Giacomin made his first appearance as a Forester on October 26, 2018 and scored his first goal for the team later that year on November 30, 2028.