Michigan, NMU make NCAA tourney

School Press Releases

The University of Michigan received a bid to the NCAA Tournament for a national-best 20th consecutive season, the NCAA Ice Hockey Selection Committee announced Sunday.

U-M, the 2010 CCHA Tournament champion, is the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Regional in Fort Wayne, Ind. The Wolverines will face the Bemidji State Beavers (23-9-4) -- the College Hockey America regular-season champion -- in the opening round on Saturday (March 27) at 7:30 p.m. ESPN360.com will stream the game live, while ESPNU will broadcast the game on tape delay at 11:30 p.m.

The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum will host the Midwest Regional. Prior to the Michigan-Bemidji State semifinal will be the match-up between No. 1 seed Miami and No. 4 seed Alabama-Huntsville. Game time is 4 p.m. The Midwest Regional championship contest will take place Sunday (March 28) at 8 p.m. and be televised live on ESPNU.

U-M is appearing in its 33rd NCAA Tournament overall, which ranks first in the nation. The Wolverines are 46-25 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, leading the nation with nine national titles (1948, '51, '52, '53, '55, '56, '64, '96 and '98).

The contest marks the first time the Wolverines will face off against Bemidji State, which ascended to Division I status in 1998-99. The Beavers reached the 2009 Frozen Four, defeating Notre Dame and Cornell before falling to Miami. BSU will move to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association beginning in 2010-11.

Notre Dame is serving as the host for the Midwest Regional. The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum has a seating capacity of 10,500 for hockey games and is home to the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League. U-M has played once at the venue, a 9-2 win against Notre Dame on Feb. 18, 2005.

Michigan has extensive knowledge of the Miami RedHawks, as the Wolverines beat Miami in the CCHA Tournament semifinals last Friday. U-M is 69-22-3 vs. MU all-time. The CCHA rivals have never met in the NCAA Tournament, however. Michigan has a 2-0-0 all-time record against Alabama-Huntsville, earning one win each during the 1990-91 and 2006-07 regular seasons.

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The Northern Michigan University hockey team is back in the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship for the first time since 1999.

NMU (20-12-8), the No. 3 seed in the West Regional at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. will face No. 2 seed St. Cloud State (23-13-5) of the WCHA Friday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time overall.

Wisconsin the No. 1 seed will play No. 4 seed Vermont at 9 p.m. Friday. The West Regional Championship will be played Saturday, March 27 at 9 p.m.

2010 CCHA Champions - Michigan

By Matt Mackinder/At the CCHA Tournament

DETROIT - The Michigan Wolverines are on a roll and after beating Northern Michigan tonight, 2-1, the Wolverines are in the NCAA Tournament for the 20th straight season.

If Michigan had lost, the streak would have been snapped.

“We had not talked about the NCAA Tournament until this morning and I reminded the team that we would not be in the tournament unless we won this championship,” Michigan head coach Red Berenson said. “The goal this week was to try and get by Miami and get in the championship game. We talked about how if we win this game, we'll be in the tournament and if we don't, we won't. It's not about where we are, but how we got here.

"To me, this has been the most challenging way into the tournament that Michigan has had in a long time. That's good for our team and our players. Good for our seniors and good for (goaltender) Shawn (Hunwick). We've had a little more adversity than the average team and they've been amazing.”

Hunwick, playing goal in place of starter Bryan Hogan, was named CCHA Tournament MVP, but downplayed the honor after the game.

“It was a nice feeling, but I think it takes away from the team,” said Hunwick. “The guys played tremendous. I don't even know if I deserve to be an MVP. I don't even know if I deserve to be a star (of the game). The boys played tremendous and it's nice to get a little recognition. I just have to keep on going.”

“I think he's earned a spot on our playing roster,” laughed Berenson. “I don't even like small goalies. I've always been a big goalie fan, but I'm a fan of small goalies who battle hard. He is a warrior. He's not too worried, he's out there playing hard for his team and his team is out there playing hard for him. You can call it any kind of story you want. It's an opportunity and he's taking advantage of it.”

Hunwick made 17 saves versus NMU, allowing just an Andrew Cherniwchan goal midway through the third period on a nice backhand shot from in tight.

“I try to play like any other game,” said Hunwick. “I think this is the biggest game of my career. I think it's my sixth or seventh start overall, I'm not even sure. You just have to take it in five-minute segments. You win that segment and get to the next one.”

The Wildcats knew they had a battle on their hands in the title game.

“They got pucks behind us, they forechecked, they came at us from the attack, they had great back pressure, they stole the puck from us numerous times coming up ice, and we failed to get pucks in, we failed to generate a forecheck,” NMU head coach Walt Kyle said. “Their defense did a very good job.”

Louie Caporusso started the scoring in the final minute of the second period on a Michigan power play when he jumped on the ice to replace Matt Rust after Rust’s stick snapped during a play.

“I think everyone wants a lot of power-play time,” said Caporusso. “At the same time, Matt realized it would have been quicker for me to get out there than for him to grab a stick, and who knows if that stick is good for him or not? So I just jumped out there. I didn’t really give him a choice. At the same time, hey, we scored a goal. I’m sure he was happy.”

Caporusso tallied the eventual game-winner at 8:53 of the third period in deflecting a Steven Kampfer shot from the left point.

In the third period, Michigan allowed just three Northern Michigan shots.

Brian Stewart made 33 saves for the Wildcats.

Kyle said the game, even in a loss, will help his team improve and ready itself for the regionals that start this weekend.

“I guarantee you, this game will make us better,” said Kyle. “There aren’t many teams that are going to push you like those guys pushed us tonight. They are fast and they came at us.”

Caporusso said the team is peaking at the perfect time of the season.

“It was just a commitment to play sound team hockey, defensive hockey, playing for one another, playing for the team,” said Caporusso. “Something clicked. I can’t tell you what it was, but I think maybe the adversity throughout the whole year.

“Finally, we said it’s up to us. It doesn’t matter what people say or what’s thought of us. We just have to work our hardest and play well.”

All-Tournament Team

F - Louie Caporusso, Michigan
F - Ray Kaunisto, Northern Michigan
F - Carl Hagelin, Michigan
D - Erik Gustafsson, Northern Michigan
D - Steven Kampfer, Michigan
G - Shawn Hunwick, Michigan

Photos by Matt Mackinder/MiCHO

Live Blog- CCHA Championship

RedHawks down Bulldogs, 2-1

By Matt Mackinder/At The CCHA Tournament

DETROIT - Jarod Palmer's goal with 4:04 to go in the third period proved to be the game-winner as Miami defeated Ferris State, 2-1, in the third place game this afternoon at Joe Louis Arena.

Ferris generated just 13 shots on Miami goalie Connor Knapp, including just two over the final 20 minutes.

Knapp, playing in place of CCHA Player of the Year Cody Reichard, allowed just a Casey Haines power-play goal at 14:49 of the second period. The goal was initially waved off, but after a lengthy review, it was called a good goal.

"I wasn't trying to pass to Casey," laughed Blair Riley, who assisted on the goal.

"The puck hit my stick and then something else - my shin pad, something, I don't know," said Haines. "Then I spun around looking for it and it was in the net."

The RedHawks opened the scoring 4:44 of the middle period when freshman Steve Mason, a native of the Netherlands, crashed the net after a Chris Wideman shot rang off the crossbar and knocked in his first career goal.

That goal, too, was reviewed and ultimately ruled a goal.

On Palmer's goal, he faked a slap shot, walked between the circles and wired the puck past Ferris State goalie Pat Nagle.

Nagle went to the bench with just under 90 seconds to go, but the Bulldogs failed to get the equalizer.
When the seeds are announced tomorrow for the NCAA Tournament, Miami is expected to be a high seed, perhaps the No. 1 overall seed.

"If we get the No. 1 seed, this has been a very successful season," said Miami coach Enrico Blasi, who also wouldn't say who starts in goal next weekend. "We have two No. 1 goaltenders and that's a good problem to have. They'll both battle this week during practice and as a staff, we'll make our decision at game time."

As for FSU, qualifying for the NCAA round of 16 may need the Bulldogs hoping a few teams lose tonight in other conference tournaments.

"I think right now, we need Cornell and Boston College to lose," said Ferris State coach Bob Daniels. "I think we have a 50-50 chance of getting in, so we'll see."

The selcection show starts tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN2.

Photos by Karl Henkel/MiCHO

Live Blog- CCHA Third Place Game

Michigan thwarts Miami, 5-2

Karl Henkel/At the CCHA Tournament

Detroit –- One win down, one win to go.

That’s what’s left for Michigan after it crushed CCHA regular-season champion Miami, 5-2, in a CCHA semifinal at Joe Louis Arena Friday night.

“This was a game that we had to have,” Michigan coach Red Berenson said. “They’re in the tournament and we’re trying to win our way in the tournament.”

Michigan, which has to win the CCHA Tournament to receive the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, has one big hurdle Saturday evening against Northern Michigan, which beat Ferris State 5-4 in overtime earlier in the day.

The Wolverines jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the RedHawks thanks to goals from Tristin Llewellyn and Lee Moffie before they scored three third-period goals to chase Player of the Year Cody Reichard, who departed after allowing all five goals on 24 shots. Backup Connor Knapp made his first appearance in relief and stopped all four shots fired his direction.

Getting the lead on them and then getting the second goal was huge,” Berenson said.

Then in the third period, Michigan netted three consecutive goals in the first seven-plus minutes. Two came off the stick of Kevin Lynch and he third was courtesy of Brian Lebler.

“If we had to play the whole game with a one-goal lead that’s fine,” Berenson said. “We go out to win the period. It turns out we got the first goal … then we got another one.”

Though Miami hung around through two periods, it never really got comfortable enough.

“They’re playing real well right now,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said of Michigan. “They deserved to win. They’re clicking on all cylinders.”

One Wolverine that’s been clicking for games now is goaltender Shawn Hunwick, who stopped 20 shots.

“Early in the second period is probably the smoothest and most confident I’ve felt since I’ve been in,” Hunwick said.

Hunwick has now started seven consecutive games and has posted a 6-1 record.

The specialty teams were a wash, as both squads went 1-for-5 with the man advantage.

Michigan will play Northern Michigan Saturday at 7:35 p.m. for the CCHA title. Ferris State meets Miami in the third-place game beginning at 3:35 p.m.

Live Blog: Michigan/Miami

Without further adieu: you're looking live ... at your computer screen, where you can follow the action all game long.

First period

17:42: Linseman takes a rocket shot off the leg; Enrico Blasi laughs.

14:44: Michigan's Greg Pateryn takes exception to a Tommy Wingels hit and promptly gets hit with a minor penalty for contact to the head-high sticking.

13:16: Miami's Curtis McKenzie is the second victim sent to the sin bin. Two minutes for interference.

11:28: Michigan's Kevin Lynch nearly tips a shot past Miami goalie Cody Reichard, the CCHA Goaltender of the Year.

11:10: Tristin Llewellyn rifles a banked pass through a screen and past Reichard. The puck appeared to be slightly redirected by a Miami defender.

10:00: Michigan is no longer on the power play, though it sure looks like it is. The rink is tilted toward the Miami net.

7:00: Michigan's Shawn Hunwick looks sharp again tonight, wandering outside his crease to cut down the angles.

5:15: Shots are 6-6. Play is even as well. This could be a championship game in any other year.

3:22: Carter Camper hooked by Chad Langlais. Miami goes on its second power play.

End of period: Michigan kills off the late penalty. Shots evened up at 8-8 after 20 minutes of play.

Second period

18:50: Vincent LoVerde drops Louie Caporusso. Wolverines look to go up two on the power play.

17:56: So much for that opportunity. After turning over the puck, Michigan's Ben Winnett trips Miami's Andy Miele. Four-on-four for about a minute.

15:48: Michigan's Carl Hagelin nearly had himself a breakaway, but Reichard ventured out of his net to between the circles to fire the puck away.

14:47: It's not often you see a four-on-one, but Michigan was able to execute. Lee Moffie scores his fourth of the season. Michigan leads, 2-0.

10:40: The testy exchanges are in full effect. This has the same feeling as the first semifinal, when Ferris State played angry following NMU's three-goal outburst.

7:40: Reilly Smith had Hunwick down but his attempt from in close went over the net.

7:09: Trent Vogelhuber is guilty of an elbow and all of a sudden Michigan is in prime position to put this one in the books.

5:54: Michigan is able to work the puck along the boards down low and sets up a point shot. Reichard stands strong.

4:19: Steven Spinell trips David Wohlberg, but both go to the box. Spinell for interference and Wohlberg for the poor attempt at acting.

3:05: Pat Canonne and Wingels catch a two-on-one break. Wingels puts the move on one defender before firing a sniper past Hunwick.

End of period: Looks like the next goal will likely be the deciding factor in this one. A pair of two-goal deficits may be too much for Miami; blowing a two-goal lead may be too demoralizing for Michigan.

Third period

19:09: It doesn't take long for Michigan to head back to the power play after Cameron Schilling goes off for hooking. Caporusso is immediately robbed by Reichard's glove hand.

17:11: Just as the penalty to Schilling is set to expire, Kevin Lynch punches the puck past Reichard's blocker side. It's a huge goal for the Wolverines and absolutely deflating for the RedHawks.

13:41: Brian Lebler scores his 13th of the season and Michigan takes a commanding 4-1 lead.

12:43: It's Lynch again, and a goaltending switch for Miami. Enter Connor Knapp.

12:05: Spinell goes off for elbowing. This game could get ugly.

7:15: Miami has mailed it in and started to goon it up.

5:45: Referees are letting anything go right now. I mean anything. I was allowed to check my Facebook AND e-mail completely unabated.

4:38: Some Michigan fans apparently think the games over because they're already heading for the exits. Funny, I thought only Michigan football fans left sporting events early.

2:39: Langlais gets to sit down for two minutes.

EDIT: Or not, Miami making it look closer than it is.

End of regulation: Michigan 5, Miami 2.

NMU tops Ferris State in OT, 5-4

Karl Henkel/At the CCHA Tournament

Detroit -- Every once in a while, a team is reminded that to win a hockey game, it takes a complete 60 minutes. Both got such a dose of medicine Friday afternoon, but Northern Michigan prevailed as it knocked off the Bulldogs, 5-4 in overtime, in a CCHA Tournament semifinal at Joe Louis Arena.

Greger Hanson's goal 1:07 into overtime finally gave the Wildcats the win after surrendering a pair of two-goal leads. It also marks the first time in three years NMU advances to the championship game.

"I thought it was a great effort," NMU coach Walt Kyle said. "It was a very close game against a very good Ferris team tonight."

First, it was Ferris State, which saw its 1-0 lead quickly diminish and turn into a two-goal deficit. In a span of 1:02 during the second period, Northern Michigan found the back of the net three times and never relinquished the lead.

"We just got a little momentum," NMU forward Ray Kaunisto said. "That's what happens in big games. You get that first goal and the momentum swings your way."

The goal spurt, which started and ended with goals from Ray Kaunisto that sandwiched an Andrew Cherniwchan goal, broke the record for the fastest three consecutive goals. The previous record, held by Michigan State back in 2003, was 2:27.

After Ferris State called time out, the Bulldogs seemed to regain their swagger and late in the second period, struck once to narrow the deficit to 3-2.

Ferris State outshot Northern Michigan, 11-8 in the third period and eventually tied the score with a two-goal spurt of its own.
First it was Mike Embach, who lifted a wrist shot over Stewart from between the top of the circles. Then it was a cross-ice pass from Zach Redmond to Matthew Kirzinger, who beat a scrambling Brian Stewart to tie the game at four. The two goals came in a 1:01 span.

It somewhat ruined a rather impressive performance from Stewart, who had 35 saves.

"I didn't think he struggled at all," Kyle said. "I think it was the third goal ... it was a knuckle puck and those are so hard for goaltenders to get."

Embach later scored to close the gap to 4-3, but that is the last time Ferris State hit the back of the net.

Ferris State’s Pat Nagle made 25 saves.

"I'm disappointed with the fact we got beat," Ferris State coach Bob Daniels said. "But I was very happy with the effort from all of the guys."

Northern Michigan, who played in the third-place game the last two seasons, will meet the winner of the Michigan/Miami semifinal Saturday at 7:35 p.m. Ferris State meets the loser in the third-place game beginning at 3:35 p.m.

Live Blog: Ferris State/Northern Michigan

Karl Henkel/At the CCHA Tournament

The weekend officially kicks off in about 20 minutes, so buckle your seat belts, then unbuckle them and run in the house and turn on the television. Or, just follow along here.

Pre-game: Brian Stewart (NMU) and Pat Nagle (FSU) get the starts in net.

19:30: Ferris State coach Bob Daniels is sporting a much more traditional wardrobe than NMU coach Walt Kyle. Seriously, what is Kyle wearing?

17:06: A Northern Michigan giveaway leads to a decent scoring chance for FSU's Casey Haines, but the shot is deflected out of play.

15:10: Northern Michigan gets its first shot on goal after a semi-break from Mike Maltese.

13:09: Ferris State applies extended pressure in the NMU zone, but nothing comes of the opportunities.

9:19: All of the fans not in attendance are really missing out on all these scoring chances ... er, shots on goal ... er, neutral zone battles.

8:50: Finally, a good scoring chance for NMU's Tyler Gron, who pounced on a rebound off the pads of Nagle.

6:39: The Wildcats get the first power-play opportunity as FSU's Michael Trebish goes off for hooking.

4:39: Nothing doing on the power play.

2:29: Ferris State strikes first on an odd goal. Jordie Johnston's shot from the left wing hit Stewart in the mask, and the richochet went through NMU defenseman Kyle Follmer's legs and right to FSU forward Todd Pococke, who sent it back through Follmer's legs and into a wide open net.

End of first period: For a period with 25 combined shots (FSU led 13-12), it was rather quiet. With the way the first period played out, this may end up being a low-scoring affair.

Second period

18:17: The shots are still coming from the outside and good chances are missing the net. Ferris State's Justin Menke draws a penalty for contact to the head-high sticking.

16:00: Two power-play chances and nothing to show for it on NMU's part. Ferris State has done a nice job defensively, so much so that the best scoring opportunity of the power play was by FSU's Mike Fillinger on a two-on-one.

14:37: The Bulldogs get their first chance with the man advantage as Alan Dorich goes off for tripping. FSU has a 19 percent power-play mark on the season.

12:39: Fans of defensive hockey are getting their money's worth so far. Power plays have meant nothing the first half of the game.

11:40: A nonchalant shot deflection by Nagle leads to a penalty against Ferris State's Toff Pococke for obstruction hooking.

9:40: Northern Michigan was able to get sustained pressure and had two good scoring chances, including Mark Olver's shot from between the circles that hit the crossbar. His shot was deflected by FSU's Blair Riley.

9:00: Ray Kaunisto's wraparound attempt was stuffed by Nagle, but his follow-attempt beat Nagle blocker-side to tie the game at 1.

8:19: Andrew Cherniwchan scoops up a Joe Louis Arena bounce and cuts in alone on Nagle from between the circles. Cherniwchan beats Nagle with a nice deke.

7:58: Let the meltdown begin in Big Rapids. Kaunisto scores again and it's 3-1 NMU.

7:58: Ferris State burns its time out.

6:37: Dumb penalty taken by NMU's Justin Florek, who gets two minutes for boarding.

2:31: The intensity has picked up late in the second period. It looks as if Ferris State is mad it relinquished its lead.

2:30: Right on cue, FSU's Cody Chupp wrists a turnaround shot into the net. NMU's lead is now 3-2.

2:13: For some reason, one official stepped into the scorer's box to talk on the phone. What's even more interesting is that the phone appears to have a wire coming out of the bottom of it. They still make those? Was the official also paged on his beeper? Apparently nothing will arise from the phone call.

End of period: The three goals in 1:02 by NMU breaks the previous record for the fastest three goals in a CCHA tournament game. The previous mark was 2:27, set by Michigan State in a 2003 first-round game. Shots are 26-21 FSU after two.

Intermission: During an on-ice promotion, a fan won a free CCHA t-shirt. Free? It must not be of high quality. For a high-quality t-shirt, check out the inaugural MichiganCollegeHockey.com t-shirt on the front page. For just $11, you can look like the coolest cat in the kennel.

Third period

19:10: Ferris State is humming early on, already with multiple chances from close range.

14:45: Ferris State has now fired 30 shots at NMU goalie Brian Stewart, who has to be considered as one of the game's top performers to this point.

13:16: FSU's Mike Embach was all alone on Stewart, whose poke check prevented Embach from completing his deke.

11:56: Tyler Gron, parked to the left of Nagle, takes a feed from Ray Kaunisto and buries it for a 4-2 lead.

6:54: Harmless shot from Embach finds its way through Stewart to make a ball game out of this one. Should be an extremely entertaining final few minutes.

5:53: I believe Mickey Redmond would call this a bingo-bango play. Matthew Kirzinger buried Zach Redmond's cross-ice pass to tie the score at 4. Stewart had little chance to come across and stop the shot.

5:22: Embach fires one off the iron. Ferris State has Northern Michigan on its heels.

1:33: The puck is bouncing all over the place; Ferris State controls deep in NMU territory.

35.7: Stewart nearly fumbles a shot from Aaron Lewicki off the right boards.

End of regulation: It's going to be awkward to have three teams playing in the championship game at one time. What's that? You mean they play until someone wins? Awesome.

Overtime

Note: The last overtime CCHA tournament game was in 2008, when Miami beat Notre Dame, 2-1 on an Alec Martinez goal.

18:53: It didn't take long and it didn't take much. Greger Hanson's half-slapper from between the circles careened off Nagle. NMU wins, 5-4 in OT.

NMU's Olver a Hobey Baker finalist

Press Release

From the host city of the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four Tournament, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation on Thursday announced the top ten candidates for the 2010 Hobey Baker Award, honoring college hockey’s top player.

Alphabetically, they are: Bobby Butler, New Hampshire, Marc Cheverie, Denver, Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin, Gustav Nyquist, Maine, Mark Olver, Northern Michigan, Chase Polacek, Rensselear, Rhett Rakhshani, Denver, Cody Reichard, Miami, Ben Scrivens, Cornell, and Brendan Smith, Wisconsin.

The ten finalists were selected by voting from all 58 Division I college hockey head coaches and by online fan balloting at hobeybaker.com. Next, the 24-member Selection Committee and an additional round of fan balloting (at hobeybaker.com from March 19-28) will determine this year’s Hobey Baker winner. Criteria for the award include: strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

The Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists will be announced on March 31, 2010 and the Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 9, 2010 from Ford Field in Detroit during the NCAA Frozen Four. The announcement will be aired live on ESPNU at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Mark Olver – Northern Michigan, Junior, Forward, Burnaby, B.C.
Feasting on CCHA opponents, Olver led the conference in points and was tied for first in goals while leading his Wildcats in scoring for the third straight year. Selected as a First Team CCHA all-star, Olver was also a finalist for Player of the Year. His play in February helped elevate the Wildcats from tenth to a fourth place league finish.
-- Has 19 goals and 28 assists for 47 points in 37 games – tied for 11th nationally
-- Physical Education/Coaching Major
-- Colorado Avalanche draft pick
-- CCHA Player of the Month in February
-- CCHA Player of the Week three times

Miami a big winner at CCHA Awards

By Karl Henkel/At the CCHA Awards

Detroit –- The state of Michigan has three representatives in this weekend’s CCHA Tournament, but Thursday night Miami was the winner at the CCHA Awards Show at Fox Theatre.

The RedHawks took home the Coach of the Year, RBC Financial Group Player of the Year, Best Defensive Forward and Best Defensive Defenseman awards.

Enrico Blasi, who coached his team to a 23-game conference unbeaten streak, won the Coach of The Year Award for the fourth time in 11 seasons.

Cody Reichard, sophomore standout netminder, won the Player of the Year honor and the Best Goaltender Award. He posed a nation-best goals against average of 1.48 and did not lose a conference game all season.

Tommy Wingels won Best Defensive Forward for Miami, which allowed a league-best 39 goals. His teammate, Will Weber, won Best Defensive Defenseman.

In other awards, Northern Michigan defenseman Erik Gustafsson was named Best Offensive Defenseman for the second consecutive season, Alaska forward Andy Taranto won CCM Rookie of the Year, Alaska forward Dion Knelsen won both the Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Mike and Marian Illitch Humanitarian Award and Ferris State forward Aaron Lewicki won the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award.

Lewicki battles scoliosis, a congenial back condition, and watched as his mother succumbed to lupus during his sophomore season.

Northern Michigan forward Mark Olver earned Leading Scorer Award. Michigan State goaltender Drew Palmisano won the Perani Cup overall championship.

All-Conference First and Second Teams were also announced as were Scholar Athletes, the All-Rookie Team and Perani Cup School Winners, which are listed below.

CCM All-Rookie Team:
Terry Broadhurst, Nebraska-Omaha
Chris Brown, Michigan
Joe Hartman, Miami
Mike Johnson, Notre Dame
Torey Krug, Michigan State
Andy Taranto, Alaska*

Perani Cup School Winners:
Scott Greenham, Alaska
Tomas Petruska, Bowling Green
Blair Riley, Ferris State
Rick Schofield, Lake Superior State
Cody Reichard, Miami
Louie Caporusso, Michigan
Drew Palmisano, Michigan State*
Alex Hudson, Nebraska-Omaha
Brian Stewart, Northern Michigan
Mike Johnson, Notre Dame
Zac Dalpe, Ohio State
Riley Gill, Western Michigan

All-Conference First Team:
Zac Dalpe, Ohio State
Eddie DelGrosso, Nebraska-Omaha
Erik Gustafsson, Northern Michigan
Mark Olver, Northern Michigan
Jarod Palmer, Miami
Cody Reichard, Miami

All-Conference Second Team:
Andy Miele, Miami
Drew Palmisano, Michigan State
Jeff Petry, Michigan State
Zach Redmond, Ferris State
Tommy Wingels, Miami
Corey Tropp, Michigan State

Scholar Athletes:
Dion Knelsen, Alaska*
Kyle Page, Bowling Green
Aaron Lewicki, Ferris State
Rick Schofield, Lake Superior State
Carter Camper, Miami
Carl Hagelin, Michigan
Drew Palmisano, Michigan State
Jeric Agosta, Nebraska-Omaha
Reid Ellingson, Northern Michigan
Kevin Deeth, Notre Dame
Chris Reed, Ohio State
Tyler Ludwig, Western Michigan

* Overall Winner

Vlaisavljevich honored by WCHA

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan Tech senior defenseman Eli Vlaisavljevich was the Huskies lone award winner at Thursday’s WCHA Awards Banquet and Ceremony held at the RiverCentre in Saint Paul, Minn.

Vlaisavljevich was honored as a member of the All-WCHA Academic Team and also tabbed as the WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year.

The senior from Shoreview, Minn., has been named a WCHA Scholar-Athlete three times and to the All-WCHA Academic Team three times during his collegiate career at Michigan Tech.

He currently carries a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average in Bio Medical Engineering and is a candidate for a Rhodes Scholarship.

In addition, Vlaisavljevich is also among 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for 2009-10, has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship and the Michigan Tech’s Provost Award for Scholarship, and was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District First Team.

He helps in several elementary classrooms, is a mentor with the Michigan Tech Athletics Koaches Kids Program and volunteers with the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association.

Vlaisavljevich appeared in 111 career games for the Huskies with 10 points (3g, 7a).

Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech Athletics

CCHA Awards tonight

Be the first to know the who and what. Karl Henkel has live updates from the Fox Theater beginning at 7:30 p.m.

CCM All-Rookie Team: Terry Broadhurst, Nebraska-Omaha; Chris Brown, Michigan; Joe Hartman, Miami; Mike Johnson, Notre Dame; Torey Krug, Michigan State; Andy Taranto, Alaska

Leading Scorer: Mark Olver, Northern Michigan

Best Goaltender: Cody Reichard, Miami

Best Defensive Forward: Tommy Wingels, Miami

Mike and Marian Illitch Humanitarian Award: Dion Knelsen, Alaska

Best Offensive Defenseman: Erik Gustafsson, Northern Michigan

Second-Team All-Conference: Andy Miele, Miami; Zach Redmond, Ferris State; Corey Tropp, Michigan State; Tommy Wingels, Miami; Drew Palmisano, Michigan State; Jeff Petry, Michigan State

CCM Rookie of the Year: Andy Taranto, Alaska

Best Defensive Defenseman: Will Weber, Miami

Terry Flanagan Memorial Award: Aaron Lewicki, Ferris State

Scholar Athletes: Dion Knelsen, Alaska; Kyle Page, Bowling Green; Aaron Lewicki, Ferris State; Rick Schofield, Lake Superior State; Carter Camper, Miami; Carl Hagelin, Michigan; Drew Palmisano, Michigan State; Jeric Agosta, Nebraska-Omaha; Reid Ellingson, Northern Michigan; Kevin Deeth, Notre Dame; Chris Reed. Ohio State; Tyler Ludwig, Western Michigan

First Team All-Conference: Erik Gustafsson, Northern Michigan; Mark Olver, Northern Michigan; Cody Reichard, Miami; Zac Dalpe, Ohio State; Eddie DelGrosso, Nebraska-Omaha; Jarod Palmer, Miami

CCHA Coach of the Year: Enrico Blasi, Miami

RBC Financial Group CCHA POY: Cody Reichard, Miami

WMU captain Ludwig inks AHL tryout

WMU Press Release

Former Western Michigan defenseman Tyler Ludwig signed an amateur tryout contract with Texas Stars of the American Hockey League on Wednesday morning.

The Texas Stars are an affiliate of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League, a team Ludwig's father, Craig, spent eight seasons with and won a Stanley Cup with in 1999.

A native of Colleyville, Tex., but born in Rinelander, Wis., Ludwig appeared in 152 games during his four seasons with the Broncos. He amassed 16 goals and 53 assists from the blue-line and finished his career with a plus-five plus/minus rating.

A four-time CCHA Defenseman of the Week, Ludwig captained the hockey team during his final two years and was also the team's top-scoring defenseman during those seasons. Carrying a 3.65 GPA in finance, he is WMU's CCHA Scholar Athlete of the Year nominee for this year.

Ludwig joins his twin brother, Trevor, a defenseman, on the Stars.

Photo courtesy GS Photo

Frozen Four party Sunday at Bookies

The Detroit Local Organizing Committee for the 2010 NCAA® Men’s Frozen Four® today announced that a Frozen Four® Selection Show viewing party will be held at Bookies Bar & Grille in Detroit on Sunday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bookies is designated by the NCAA® and the DLOC as one of four Frozen Four Fan Gathering Restaurants that will serve as home base for fans of the four teams who will compete in Detroit for the championship of Division I college hockey.

The NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Selection Show will air on ESPN2 at 11:30 a.m. local time and feature the seeding of the 16 college hockey teams that will be headed to four NCAA Regional Tournaments the weekend of March 26-28. The regional champions will determine the four teams that will compete in the Frozen Four at Detroit’s Ford Field April 8-10.

Fans who head to Bookies at 2208 Cass Avenue in downtown Detroit on March 21, will have an opportunity to win Frozen Four tickets and tickets to FRIDAY at the Frozen Four® to be held April 9 at Ford Field featuring the NCAA Skills Challenge and the announcement of the Hobey Baker Award to the top collegiate hockey student-athlete. There is no admission to the event at Bookies and parking is free. The restaurant will feature a special themed menu for the event.

The Fan Gathering Restaurants: Bookies; Angelina Italian Bistro; Detroit Beer Co.; and Hockeytown Café, will adopt fans from each of the Frozen Four teams during the championship week in Detroit. Specific designation of Frozen Four teams by region to restaurants, and other special events to take place at the restaurants will be announced in the coming weeks. The DLOC urges fans to make these establishments your headquarters to meet old friends, new friends and fellow alumni.

For more information on the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four visit www.ncaa.com/frozenfour

Gill stays in K-Zoo, inks with Wings

WMU Press Release

Former record-setting Western Michigan goalie Riley Gill signed with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL on Tuesday afternoon.

Gill will make his debut at K-Wings practice on Wednesday and could be eligible to play tonight after spending four years with the Broncos (2006-10).

The Northfield, Minn., native finished his WMU career with 39 wins in 111 appearances, third most amongst goalies in school history. In his four years, Gill recorded a WMU-record eight shutouts, a school record .915 save percentage and the second-best goals-against average in school history at 2.94.

Gill twice recorded 54 saves in a game, falling six short of Glenn Healy’s school record of 60 saves. The first game was on March 7, 2009 in a thrilling 4-3 double-overtime win against Lake Superior State. The second time Gill stopped 54 was earlier this season in WMU’s 4-1 win over Notre Dame on “Hockey Cares” night.

As a freshman, he posted a 13-8-1 record on his way to making the CCHA All-Rookie team.

Gill is on schedule to graduate in June with a degree in business.

Photo courtesy GS Photo