The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/279958
Big Ten Ballot This is the first season of All-Big Ten teams in hockey, and I was offered the opportunity to vote for the initial team and the award winners. This is what my ballot looked like. Player of the Year — Forward Mike Mersch, Wisconsin: He led the Big Ten in goals with 20, including a conference-high 12 in league games. The 6-1, 225-pound se- nior is very difficult to play against and has helped lead the Badgers to second place in the Big Ten. Coach of the Year — Don Lucia, Minne- sota: The Gophers were voted preseason No. 2 in the Big Ten, but rolled through the league, going 14-3-3 to capture the inau- gural Big Ten regular-season trophy. They averaged a 2.0-goal advantage in their 14 league victories despite a lineup featur- ing seven freshmen and only two seniors regularly. Freshman of the Year — J.T. Compher, Michigan: His 20 points in league play were the most of any Big Ten rookie (by seven points) and were fourth overall. Fourth among all skaters with eight goals in 20 conference contests, Compher was a solid all-around player, ranking first among U-M forwards with 23 blocks in league games. Defensive Player of the Year — Frankie Simonelli, Wisconsin: The senior defender can score (four goals in 20 league games) and set up teammates (11 assists), and he's terrific in his own zone. He led the Big Ten in blocked shots with 41 and in plus/minus at plus-10. Goaltender of the Year — Adam Wilcox, Minnesota: Starting 18 of 20 games in league play, the sophomore boasted conference-best marks in save percentage (.941) and goals-against average (1.64), and was instrumental to the dominance of Minnesota this year. All-Big Ten First Team: F Michael Mersch, Wisconsin; F Ryan Dzingel, Ohio State; F Kyle Rau, Minnesota; D Frankie Simonelli, Wisconsin; D Mac Bennett, Michigan; G Adam Wilcox, Minnesota. — Michael Spath Michigan's J.T. Compher posted 20 points in league play, the most of any Big Ten rookie (by seven points) and fourth overall, and he also ranked first among U-M forwards with 23 blocks in league games. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL