Big Ten Announces Hockey Postseason Honors

  ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced the hockey All-Big Ten teams and individual award winners on Monday as selected by the conference’s coaches and a media panel. Michigan’s Kyle Connor was named Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year, while also earning Scoring Champion honors. Michigan’s Zach Werenski was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year, which is awarded to a defenseman or forward. Minnesota goaltender Eric Schierhorn was named the Goaltender of the Year and Wolverines’ head coach Red Berenson was selected as the Coach of the Year.
  Connor was tabbed Player and Freshman of the Year and Scoring Champion after leading the conference with 43 points and 22 goals in conference play. The freshman averaged a conference-leading 2.15 points per game in conference action to pace an offense that led all Big Ten schools with 5.35 goals per game in conference contests. Connor also led the conference with seven goals and 12 points on the power play in Big Ten games.
  Werenski was named Defensive Player of the Year after leading all Big Ten defensemen with 18 points and 14 assists in conference games. Nine of his points came on the power play, tallying three goals and six assists on the man advantage to lead all Big Ten defensemen in conference contests. The Wolverines finished second in the conference in scoring defense in Big Ten play.
  Freshman goaltender Schierhorn led the conference with 14 wins in conference play en route to Goaltender of the Year honors. He also paced all Big Ten goalies with a 2.67 goals-against average in conference play, including a shutout on the road against Wisconsin.
  Berenson won Coach of the Year honors after leading Michigan to a 22-7-5 overall record and a 12-5-3-2 conference mark. The Wolverines earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
  Connor, Schierhorn and Werenski were joined on the All-Big Ten first team by Michigan’s JT Compher and Tyler Motte and Ohio State’s Josh Healey, with Connor being a unanimous selection. The second team consisted of Minnesota’s Michael Brodzinski, Hudson Fasching and Justin Kloos, Ohio State’s Nick Schilkey and Penn State’s Eamon McAdam and Vince Pedrie.
Connor and Schierhorn were unanimous All-Freshman Team selections. They were joined by Michigan State’s Zach Osburn, Ohio State’s Mason Jobst, Penn State’s Vince Pedrie and Wisconsin’s Luke Kunin.
  The Big Ten also recognized six Sportsmanship Award honorees. The students chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. This season's honorees are Michigan’s Cristoval “Boo” Nieves, Michigan State’s Michael Ferrantino, Minnesota’s Jake Bischoff, Ohio State’s Craig Dalrymple, Penn State’s Luka Juha and Wisconsin’s Kevin Schulze.