UMass Lowell staffer Souris, formerly with Hockey East office, named winner of 2017 Joe Concannon Award

Pete Souris has been named the recipient of the prestigious Joe Concannon Award.

The prestigious honor, named in 2001 in memory of popular Boston Globe sportswriter Joe Concannon, is bestowed annually upon an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding body of work in covering and promoting the interests of Hockey East.

Souris becomes the first recipient with direct ties to the league after serving as assistant commissioner for public relations for over six years.

“I can’t think of a better person to set the precedent of honoring someone outside the field of media representatives than Pete,” said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna in a statement. “Consistent with the purpose of this award, Peter has done an incredible job in promoting the interests of Hockey East through various media, going back to his undergraduate days at UNH. He has distinguished himself by a selfless desire to help the conference in any way he can.”

Souris has spent nearly two decades promoting and assisting in the media coverage of Hockey East, including the last two years as associate athletic director for communications at UMass Lowell. He was hired in January of 2014 as assistant athletic director for communications.

Previously, Souris spent over six years at Hockey East where he supported 11 schools in a media relations capacity, served as the media coordinator for six Hockey East championships at the TD Garden and was the media coordinator for two sold-out Frozen Fenway events at Fenway Park in 2010 and 2012. In addition, he was charged with creating a digital media plan for the conference’s website and social media channels, as well as serving as the liaison for the league’s three national and regional television partners.

Souris previously spent six years from 2001 to 2007 working in the athletics media relations department at New Hampshire, serving as the primary contact for men’s hockey. Also, he served as the media coordinator for the 2004 and 2007 NCAA hockey regionals in Manchester.

He has worked the last 18 Frozen Four events in a media relations capacity.