It has been quite the year for University of Massachusetts Boston’s Men’s Ice Hockey as they made their way to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history. The beacons have to give major credit to 10th-year Head Coach Peter Belisle for leading this team to history. On Thursday, March 24, Peter Belisle was named the co-winner of the 2016 Edward Jeremiah Award with the STX/AHCA Division III Men’s Coach of the Year title. 
Belisle was quick to credit his entire staff for the success. In an interview with the sports information department at UMass Boston, he was quoted saying, “I’m very proud and honored to have received this award. This award is all part of a team effort, as my team and my staff have worked so hard to get us to this point.”
Belisle’s success over his 10-year reign resulted in a 24-4-3 record this season and the program’s first two NCAA tournament victories in school history. The Beacons were picked to finish third in the inaugural New England Hockey Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, but prevailed over assumptions and earned their first Regular-Season and Tournament Championship since 1982.
The Beacons have seen much action in the last three weeks as they continued to go farther than any other UMass Boston hockey team. Defeating archrival Babson College in the NEHC Title game was a pivotal moment for the Beacons, and the first taste of historic victory the entire community had experienced in this program.
Peter Belisle was ecstatic after their huge conference title win. “It felt amazing! I’m so thankful to the guys, all the athletic administration, other coaches, alums and fans!” The record-breaking turnout of fans created an intense atmosphere as both teams had a huge fan-following come out to support.
On Friday, March 25, the Beacons played St. Norbert College in the Frozen Four semi-finals. Though the Beacons lost 8-7, this season saw the furthest victory the team has experienced in program history. As Belisle and the team continue to word hard and prepare for next season, they are more than capable of making it once again to the Frozen Four.