These are essentially my choices if I were handed a ballot. There
is a tinge of leaning toward what I think the coaches will do,
particularly with Bobby Marshall. I've never been fond of him, but
the CCHA coaches seem to have a different opinion.
FIRST TEAM
POS PLAYER, TEAM YR GM G A PTS PIM +/-
F Steve Guolla, Mich St JR 30 16 34 50 12 10
F David Oliver, Michigan SR 30 18 34 52 14 17
F Brian Wiseman, Michigan SR 29 12 38 50 32 13
D John Gruden, Ferris SR 30 10 23 33 46 -2
D Jeff Wells, BGSU SR 30 7 25 32 26 3
G Blaine Lacher, LSSU JR 18 [10-3-4 1.91 91.9]
SECOND TEAM
POS PLAYER, TEAM YR GM G A PTS PIM +/-
F Clayton Beddoes, LSSU SR 29 19 22 41 40 25
F Anson Carter, Mich St SO 30 21 17 38 28 14
F Mike Knuble, Michigan JR 30 25 20 45 48 1
D Keith Aldridge, LSSU SO 30 7 14 21 60 21
D Bobby Marshall, Miami SR 30 3 22 25 58 6
G Mike Buzak, Mich St JR 29 [16-7-5 2.62 90.9]
HONORABLE MENTION
POS PLAYER, TEAM YR GM G A PTS PIM +/-
F Derek Knorr, UIC JR 28 18 14 32 74 -7
F Claude Morin, Kent JR 30 15 28 43 34 -5
F Rem Murray, Mich St JR 30 13 29 42 12 11
D Steven Barnes, LSSU SR 28 5 18 23 32 14
D Todd Reirden, BGSU SR 30 5 19 24 44 0
G Steve Shields, Michigan SR 26 [20-4-1 2.61 90.0]
COMMENTS
F Oliver and Wiseman have slowed down statistically, but they
dominated the 1993-94 season nonetheless. The MSU trio is
hard to ignore, although Carter may not receive the
recognition I feel he deserves. There is a great deal of
parity among individual players this season, at all positions.
With that in mind, Knorr and Morin make HM although it can
just as easily be Kevyn Adams [Miami], Sean Tallaire [LSSU],
Jamie Ling [ND] or any number of Western Michigan forwards.
A healthy Chris Brooks [WMU] would challenge for First Team,
but with only 22 games played he slid down the pack.
D The CCHA had a solid group of senior blueliners. I no doubt
have Keith Aldridge higher than the coaches will, but he has
arrived.
G This was the toughest position to call. Lacher has the
numbers, Shields the publicity and victories, yet Buzak was
the most consistent from October to March. For me, the
numbers prevail. Coming into the season, I felt that Lacher
and Shields were far above the rest of the conference.
Despite his injuries and tantrums, Lacher won when he had to
and has the Lakers peaking in March, as usual. Buzak
impressed me with his consistency. He carried the Spartans in
the first half of the season. I give him the nod over Shields
for that, and for outplaying Shields head-to-head.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Oliver, Michigan
Prelude to the Hobey?
BEST OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN
John Gruden, Ferris
However, I look for the coaches to go with Wells.
BEST DEFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN
Todd Reirden, Bowling Green
He doesn't have the publicity, but he looked good every time
I saw him. The coaches will likely make Marshall a repeat
winner. WMU's Brent Brekke and Derek Schooley will also be in
the hunt. Michigan's Steven Halko and Harold Schock are
future contenders.
BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD
Mike Stone, Michigan
To partially plagiarize from PASS's Chris McClure...if Stone
doesn't win there oughtta be an investigation. [McClure made
a similar comment about Oliver and the Hobey Baker Award.]
BEST JUMP OFF THE YEAR
PASS's McClure onto the Michigan bandwagon. I do have more
respect for McClure than I did a year ago, but that isn't
saying much. Anyone who can deal with Larry Osterman all
season deserves some type of award.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ric Schafer, Notre Dame
No offense [85 goals in 30 games], the CCHA's worst power play
and the CCHA's worst penalty kill. Yet, the group of
predominantly freshmen and sophomores finished a game out of
7th. Honorable mention to Michigan's Red Berenson.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT [INDIVIDUAL]
Brian Holzinger, Bowling Green [16-12--28]
Holzinger was my pre-season favorite for the Hobey.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT [TEAM]
Lake Superior
Yes, I'm serious. I expected the Lakers to run away and hide,
not chase the pack for second.
BIGGEST SURPRISE SUCCESS [INDIVIDUAL]
Mike Buzak, Michigan State
I didn't think he had it in him. Honorable mention to Craig
Paterson, Ohio State [2-8--10] who turned out to be more than
a simple cementhead. I'd also say Mike Stone [8-21--29, +19]
from Michigan, but I expected Stone to contribute offensively
if given the opportunity, so he wasn't a surprise.
BIGGEST SURPRISE SUCCESS [TEAM]
Michigan
The overall team success and play of the nine freshmen was a
treat. Honorable mention to Notre Dame and Ohio State. I
would have laughed hysterically if someone told me that the
Buckeyes would get 17 points and avoid the cellar.
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
POS PLAYER, TEAM YR GM G A PTS PIM +/-
F Jason Botterill, Mich FR 28 17 15 32 70 10
F Curtis Fry, BGSU FR 30 14 16 30 71 -2
F Brendan Morrison, Mich FR 27 14 17 31 16 5
D Kelly Perrault, BGSU FR 30 4 10 14 32 8
D Harold Schock, Michigan FR 30 2 7 9 36 24
G Bob Petrie, BGSU FR 24 [14-8-2 3.02 88.5]
COMMENTS
It's safe to say that Michigan and Bowling Green have the best
freshman classes. A case can also be made for UM defenseman
Blake Sloan. The forwards and goaltender are no-brainer
picks. There are plenty of defensemen to choose from
including Ben Nelsen [Notre Dame], Andy Roach [Ferris] and
Chris Slater [MSU]. A full season from Slater would have
bumped Perrault from the team.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Bob Petrie, Bowling Green
He had the biggest impact on his team. Botterill as runner-
up, although Schock deserves more mention than he will receive.
If you're still reading, I hope you enjoyed these picks half-as-
much as I enjoyed selecting them and watching these players this
season.
John H
U Mich
P.S. I've been told that Michigan's Drew Denzin actually took a few
shifts in the third period on Saturday. Yesterday I reported that
he made his collegiate debut with :43 remaining.
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