Boston College senior forward Steven Whitney will be bestowed the prestigious honor of being named the Walter Brown Award winner. The Reading, Massachusetts native is the 23rd winner of the award from Boston College.

The award is presented annually by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston to the best American-born college hockey player in New England. Quinnipiac goalie Eric Hartzell was the runner-up while Johnny Gaudreau was third in voting.

Whitney has 25 goals and 18 assists for 43 points on the season. For his career the former Lawrence Academy star has 54 goals and 72 assists with 126 points in 158 game played. He has been part of two NCAA Championship teams, his team winning the ultimate trophy as a freshman and junior.

The Eagles will meet arch-rival Boston University in the second Hockey East semifinal on Friday night at the TD Garden in Boston. BC will be without head coach Jerry York. The game could be the last ever coached by legendary BU bench boss Jack Parker who is retiring after the season.

Jeff Cox covers college hockey for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.