To say the Harvard men’s hockey team faces a number of challenging opponents on the ice is a true statement—but it looks like the Crimson’s competition is making an impact off the ice as well.

Among the group of collegiate men’s hockey players named as candidates for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, four are on teams that will match up against Harvard at some point during the 2010-11 season.

Dartmouth senior defender Evan Stephens and Yale senior forward Broc Little represent the Ivy League, while Union forward Stephane Boileau and Merrimack forward Chris Barton are other Crimson opponents that made the list.

The players are currently part of a group of 20 candidates that will be narrowed down to 10 finalists during the regular season. Those 10 will then make up the final ballot, with the winner being announced in April during the NCAA Division I Men’s Frozen Four.

Although no Harvard hockey players made the cut, Katherine Sheeleigh of Crimson women’s soccer was named a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for soccer earlier this year. Results from that voting should be announced in the next few weeks.