CCHA alums seek pro titles, awards

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Playoff Success -- Three Michigan college hockey alums will be competing in the Calder Cup Finals for the American Hockey League title and two others have helped their teams secure titles in minor pro leagues during the playoff season.

Former Ferris State Bulldogs Greg Rallo and Cody Chupp and MSU Spartans Ethan Graham and Andrew Hutchinson helped the Texas Stars advanced out of the Western Conference by defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs in a seven-game series.

The Fort Wayne Komets won their third straight Turner Cup in the International Hockey League with the help of Fort Wayne native and Spartan alum Brandon Warner.

Bulldog alum Gio Flamminio is also a member of the President’s Cup-winning Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League.

Next Up? Stanley Cup-- Michigan State’s Duncan Keith and Michigan’s John Madden will be attempting to help the Chicago Blackhawks capture their first Stanley Cup title since 1961.

Keith, an alternate captain and finalist for the Norris Trophy, has been a force on the Blackhawk blue line, notching a goal and nine assists, as well as a plus-3 rating. Keith is also third among all skaters in time-on-ice per game at 27:52.

Madden is seeking his third Stanley Cup ring, having won with the New Jersey Devils in 2000 and 2003. The former Wolverine and penalty-kill specialist has played in all 16 games of the playoffs for the Blackhawks.

Award Time-- Michigan State alums Ryan Miller and Duncan Keith and former Michigan Wolverine Jed Ortmeyer have been named finalists for NHL awards.

Miller, who set the NCAA shutout record of 26 in his three seasons at Michigan State, is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded for outstanding goaltender.

Miller finished second in the league in goals-against average (2.22) and save percentage (.929), and fourth in wins (41). Miller also led the Buffalo Sabres to a Northeast Division title.

Keith finished second among all NHL defensemen in points (69) and assists (55) and had a plus-21. rating.

Ortmeyer, of the Pacific Division champion San Jose Sharks, is a finalist for the Masterton Trophy which is awarded to the player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." A former captain of the Wolverines, during his professional career Ortmeyer has suffered a pulmonary embolism, a torn ACL and blood clots in his leg. This season, Ortmeyer played in 76 games, registering eight goals and 11 assists.

The 2010 NHL Awards will take place June 23 in Las Vegas.

Former MSU goalie wins IHL honors

IHL Press Release

The International Hockey League announced yesterday that Flint Generals head coach Jason Muzzatti has been named the 2009-10 IHL Coach of the Year, as selected by league head coaches and general managers.

Behind the bench for his first season as a head coach, Muzzatti put together a tough, resilient roster in Flint, which currently sits just three points back from the fourth and final playoff spot. Through his leadership, he has guided the Generals from last place after the first half of the season to being a playoff contender in the second half. The Generals currently have a 31-35-3-4 record with three games remaining in the regular season.

Before beginning his coaching career this season, the 40-year-old native of Toronto skated four seasons of NCAA action from 1987-1991 with Michigan State, where he continues to hold records for most wins in a season (32, 1988-89) and most wins as a Spartan (83). During his college career at Michigan State, Muzzatti was selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.

Muzzatti appeared in NHL stints with Calgary, Hartford, New York Rangers and San Jose during his 16-year professional playing career. He also spent time between the pipes in the American Hockey League and backstopped the IHL's Indianapolis Ice and Salt Lake Golden Eagles during 1992-93. Muzzatti completed his playing career appearing in 41 games with the Generals in 2006-07, registering an 18-15-6 record and a 3.34 goals-against average.

Muzzatti will be presented with the award on Friday.