Wolverines Place Three on Bauer/CCHA All-Rookie Team
3/8/1999 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
| | Blackburn Comrie Jillson |
Blackburn finished second in the league and fourth overall with a 2.29 goals-against average. He played in 93 percent of Michigan's team minutes, posting a 17-8-5 conference record and a 20-9-6 overall mark. Blackburn held opponents to a single goal or less in 12 games, including three shutouts.
"Josh Blackburn has performed very, very well his freshman year," said Berenson. "I think he is a worthy recipient of this award, especially with the situation he was in. He had big shoes to fill, and he has done that."
Comrie led CCHA freshmen in goals, assists and points in both overall (17-22-39) and league (13-20-33) games while finishing sixth among all players in league scoring and seventh in overall games. He led the Wolverines in scoring during the regular season and finished with a team-best plus/minus rating of +18 in all games and +16 in league games.
Comrie had a team-high 10 multiple-point games, with a season-high four points (2-2-4) twice. He was the only Wolverine freshman to play every game this season, and was one of two U.S. collegiate players invited to try out for the Canadian National Junior Team for the 1999 World Junior Championship.
"Mike Comrie has also been an impact freshman," said Berenson. "He has played a big offensive role on this team for the entire season."
Jillson led CCHA freshmen defensemen in league (5-15-20) and overall (5-16-21) scoring, finishing second among all Michigan blueliners in the same categories. His five goals included two power-play tallies and two game-winners. Jillson was second on the team in plus/minus with +16 (overall) and +14 (league) and closed out the regular season with a five-game scoring streak (2-5-7).
"Jeff Jillson is a highly touted defenseman who has lived up to his billing in every way," said Berenson. "He is as solid as a rock on our defense and has all of the tools to be a big league player."
Last season, Wolverines Mark Kosick (Victoria, B.C.) and Mike Van Ryn (London, Ontario) were named to the All-Rookie team, and Josh Langfeld (Coon Rapids, Minn.) received honorable mention.
The four other members of the 1999 All-Rookie team were David Inman, a forward from Notre Dame; Adam Hall, a forward from Michigan State; Chad Theuer, a forward from Northern Michigan; and Jason Crain, a defenseman from Michigan State. Because ties are included, not broken, this season marks the second time since the recognition began in 1989 that seven players were selected. Seven players were also selected in 1993-94.
1999 Bauer/CCHA All-Rookie Team
| NAME | POSITION | SCHOOL | HOMETOWN |
| Mike Comrie | Forward | Michigan | Edmonton, Alberta |
| David Inman | Forward | Notre Dame | Toronto, Ontario |
| Adam Hall | Forward | Michigan State | Kalamazoo, Mich. |
| Chad Theuer | Forward | Northern Michigan | Clarkston, Mich. |
| Jeff Jillson* | Defenseman | Michigan | North Smithfield, R.I. |
| Jason Crain | Defenseman | Michigan State | Natrona Heights, Pa. |
| Josh Blackburn* | Goaltender | Michigan | Choctaw, Okla. |
* indicates unanimous selection
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
