The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
michigan hockey bore a letter, Lynch was leading better than the other three chosen captains, playing a gritty, physical, determined game night after night. With the team fractured and losing, Lynch was at the forefront of spearheading Michigan's resurrection, contributing four goals and six assists during a nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1) at the end of the year. He finished with 10 goals on the season, one off his career high, and added a career-best 17 helpers, finishing with 27 points — the first time he eclipsed 20 points in a season during his four-year tenure. Rookie Of The Year — Jacob Trouba: This category ended up having quite a few contenders, but we found room for them below. Trouba earns the nod because he was consistently one of Michigan's best players all season long, contributing offensively, defensively and with his physical presence without suffering through the typical rookie slumps — his longest point drought was only four games. Trouba led the CCHA blue liners in scoring with 29 points and was named the conference's Best Offensive Defenseman. His final scoring tally represents the third-best offering ever by a U-M freshman defenseman, while his 12 goals sit second among rookie defenders. Trouba was everything he was billed to be and more. Most Improved Player — Andrew Copp: A late signee in the 2012 recruiting class, Copp was a healthy scratch in Michigan's first two games and then bounced between the third and fourth lines, playing both center and wing. He contributed four goals and five assists, and was a solid defensive forward in his first 24 games, but little by little he was learning what it took to compete at an elite level. The former two-sport standout in high school, now focused on just hockey, saw his learning curve spike exponentially. Down the stretch, he became one of U-M's most capable players, centering the No. 1 line while notching seven goals and five helpers in Michigan's final 14 contests. During those games, he was also plus-6. 2014 Breakout Performer — Boo Nieves: A second-round draft pick of the New York Rangers, Nieves had two goals and five assists in his first 10 games skating for the Wolverines, and continued to add to his stats throughout the year. He eventually finished with eight markers and a team-high 21 assists. His 22 points in 28 CCHA games was second only to sophomore forward Alex Guptill's 23. The long, smooth-skating 6-3, 200-pounder made the most of his chances, ranking fourth on the team in converting 12.7 percent of his shots, and he should earn greater ice time a year from now as the center on Michigan's first or second line. — Michael Spath