Monday, April 18, 2005

Wolverines hand out awards, name captains

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team handed out its annual awards to eight players while also announcing its captains for the 2005-06 campaign at the annual Dekers Blue Line Club Banquet last Saturday at the Ann Arbor Sheraton.

T.J. Hensick and Jeff Tambellini shared the Hal Downes Trophy as U-M's most valuable player. Tambellini led the Wolverines in scoring with 24 goals and 33 assists while collecting West All-America second team honors. For leading the Wolverines in points, Tambellini also was the recipient of the Doc Losh Trophy. Right behind Tambellini in the team scoring race was Hensick, who had 23 goals and 32 helpers. Hensick was a West first team All-American, and both players were All-CCHA first team honorees.

Matt Hunwick was the winner of the Vic Heyliger Trophy as U-M's most outstanding defenseman as determined by his teammates. Hunwick had a 6-19-25 scoring line and was +15 on the season. He was an All-CCHA second team selection.

The Alton D. Simms Trophy for the most improved player was given to Milan Gajic. As a senior, Gajic set career highs in games played (42) points (39), goals (20), power-play goals (9) and multi-point games (13). His plus/minus rating of +4 tied his career best.

Chad Kolarik garnered the Dekers Club Award as the "most colorful rookie" per the Dekers Club membership. Kolarik had a bright freshman campaign, playing in all 42 games while tallying a scoring line of 18-17-35, good for fifth on the team in points. His 11 power-play markers were tops on the team and the most by a U-M rookie since 1990-91.

The Howard Colby Award for Sportsmanship went to David Moss. Moss was whistled for just 13 penalties for 26 minutes this season while assuming a primarily defensive forward role. He notched 10 goals and 20 assists in 38 contests.

Chosen by the coaching staff, the Joseph E. Barss Award for the best team player was given to outgoing captain Eric Nystrom. Nystrom had a career-best 32 points and 19 assists in 38 games. He was honored with the CCHA's Best Defensive Forward laurel in March.

Tim Cook was the recipient of the Carl Isaacson Award given to the player who exhibits the highest scholastic average as well as athletic ability. Cook is a sophomore enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

With 10 graduating seniors, Michigan is losing its largest senior class ever. Head coach Red Berenson selected three rising seniors to share the captaincy for the 2005-06 season. Tambellini, Al Montoya and Andrew Ebbett will all wear a "C" for the Maize and Blue next season. Both Tambellini and Montoya were alternate captains as juniors in 2004-05.

The Wolverines went 31-8-3 in 2004-05 en route to winning the CCHA regular-season and tournament titles and being NCAA Midwest Regional finalists.

University of Michigan press release here.

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