CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two former Neumann men's ice hockey players received conference honors from the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), announced over the weekend. Selections are voted on by the SPHL coaches and media representatives.

Mark Van Vliet '08 was named to the 2009-10 All-SPHL First Team. Van Vliet, who plays for the Knoxville Ice Bears, is tied for third among defensemen with 27 assists. He has a total of 33 points, good for fifth in the leagues defensemen. Van Vliet is +14 on the season, which ranks second in defensemen and fifth overall.

Van Vliet played in 52 career games in two seasons at Neumann. He finished with 31 goals and 58 assists for 89 points. He is second on the season record list after dishing out 33 assists in 2006-07.

Jesse Cole '09 was selected to the 2009-10 SPHL All-Rookie team. Cole currently plays for the Columbus Cottonmouths. He leads his team and the leagues rookies with 28 goals so far this season. For the season, his 49 points rank second on the team and third among the league rookies. Cole has also netted three hat tricks.

Cole played 98 games during his four years at Neumann. He scored 42 goals and notched 28 assists for 80 points. Two of his goals came in the National Championship game in 2009, including the game-winner.

Van Vliet and the Ice Bears are the No. 4 seed heading into the playoffs and will face No. 3 Fayetteville in the first round. Cole and the Cottonmouths are the No. 6 seed and will No. 1 seed Mississippi beginning on April 2.