First place votes (9 possible) and total points (90 possible) noted for top three in each category. And, remember, only one nominee per team per category. (Something I've always disagreed with.) PLAYER OF THE YEAR Brendan Morrison (Michigan) The first two-time winner in CCHA history. One vote away from being unanimous...probably the same voter that didn't think Morrison was one of the three best forwards in the conference. What is he smoking? 1. Morrison (8) 85. 2. Randy Robitaille, Miami (2) 49. 3. Andy Roach, Ferris State (0) 16. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Daryl Andrews (Western Michigan) Hats off to Scott Brown at USCHO for calling this one a month ago. I'm happy to see a defenseman win it myself. On the negative side, it was a very weak year for rookies in the CCHA as a whole, IMO. Fwiw...Andrews (4-4-1) edges out Notre Dame's Joe Dusbabek (5-1-0), who had more first places votes but was completely omitted on three ballots. 1. Andrews (4) 62. 2. Dusbabek (5) 55. 3. Hugo Boisvert, Ohio State (1) 23. COACH OF THE YEAR Mark Mazzoleni (Miami) IMO, this was an easy call. Nobody picked MU for second. With almost everyone returning, look for Miami to be #1 on a lot of CCHA pre-season ballots come September. Fwiw...LSSU's Scott Borek (1-1-1) was named on three ballots. Huh? Granted, the Lakers were hit hard by graduation, but let's look at some of the numbers. (A) Overall, LSSU was 2-12-3 versus the four teams playing at Joe Louis Arena today. (B) The team has zero discipline. The top four LSSU scorers had 82, 91, 80 and 211 penalty minutes. You have to keep these guys on the ice, not in the box...they're your meal ticket. 1. Mazzoleni (6) 66. 2. Red Berenson, Michigan (2) 47. 3. John Markell, Ohio State (0) 26. BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD John Madden (Michigan) I guess this is what happens when you work your butt off every shift, set an NCAA record for shorthanded goals and dominate the +/- category. (Madden was +26 in CCHA play. The next best was +20.) Last year's winner, LSSU's Bates Battaglia, wasn't nominated as Terry Marchant...a fine defender, IMO...was the Laker candidate. Fwiw...I'll take Berens over Copeland any day. 1. Madden (8) 85. 2. Adam Copeland, Miami (1) 31. 3. Sean Berens, Michigan State (1) 30. BEST OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN Andy Roach (Ferris State) YES! They have seen the light! Andy Roach has to be the least recognized All-American in recent memory. Can you tell that I like the kid? :-) He eeks out the award over Miami's Dan Boyle On The Butt Of Humanity. 1. Roach (5) 58. 2. Boyle (3) 57. 3. Joe Corvo, Western Michigan (1) 36. BEST DEFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN Tyler Harlton (Michigan State) The award I cherish the most. 1. Harlton (7) 77. 2. Harold Schock, Michigan (2) 50. 3. Todd Rohloff, Miami (1) 30. TERRY FLANAGAN MEMORIAL AWARD Steve Noble (Notre Dame) For this one, I'm going to direct you to the CCHA web site (www.ccha.com) to read more about it. I'll simply say that Noble is a very deserving winner. One Irishman I'll be happy to applaud. FINAL FOUR Yes, Final Four. A few recent posts have alluded to schools (BU, Miami, Minnesota in particular) that look to be in both the NCAA hockey and hoop tourney. Fwiw...only one school has appeared in the Final Four and Phinal Phour in the same season...Michigan. The Wolverines have turned the trick in 1964, 1992 and 1993. (And, no, the NIT doesn't count. :-) The Gophers look to have the strongest chance to do so this season, but we all know how the Big Ten (plus one) chokes on the hardcourt in March, so I don't look for it to happen. John Haeussler ([log in to unmask]) HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.