Blackburn Receives MVP Award at Dekers Banquet

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Freshman goaltender Josh Blackburn (Choctaw, Okla.) collected team Most Valuable Player honors as the University of Michigan Hockey team handed out its annual year-end awards Sunday (April 11) at the 1999 Dekers Banquet.

Blackburn

Blackburn won the HAL DOWNES AWARD, which goes to the team's MVP as chosen by members of the team, after posting a record of 25-10-6, including three shutouts, with a 2.28 GAA and .905 save percentage on his way to leading the team to the CCHA Tournament title and second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The HAZEL "DOC" LASH AWARD was presented to freshman center Mike Comrie (Edmonton, Alberta). The award is presented annually to the player who leads the team in total points for the season. Comrie scored 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points and was the first freshman to lead the team in scoring since David Roberts in 1989-90. Comrie was also the 1998-99 Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year.

Senior captain Bubba Berenzweig (Arlington Heights, Ill.) was given the VIC HEYLIGER AWARD as the most valuable defenseman, as voted by members of the team. Berenzweig led the team and the CCHA's defensemen with seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points. He was unable to accept the award in person as he was representing the United States in the North American College Hockey Championship in Toronto.

The ALTON B. SIMMS AWARD for the most improved player, as voted by members of the team, was presented to senior winger Sean Ritchlin (Conseco, N.Y.). In his career at Michigan, Ritchlin overcame a life-threatening injury his freshman season to become one of the team's most valuable players at the end of the season. The 1998-99 season also marked the first time Ritchlin was able to participate in an NCAA Tournament game after missing due to injuries in his first three years.

Sophomore winger Bill Trainor (Canton, Mich.) was given the HOWARD COLBY AWARD as the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship, as voted on by the team. Trainor set a new career high with eight assists this season and scored the first goal of his career at Northern Michigan (March 6) in the final regular-season game. In his first two seasons, Trainor has only picked up seven penalties, three of which came against Miami (Ohio) on Feb. 26 of this season.

The CARL ISAACSON MEMORIAL TROPHY was awarded to senior goaltender Greg Daddario (Wilton, Conn.) for a combination of scholastic and athletic attributes. Daddario was a four-year walk-on who rarely saw playing time but was consistently among the team's top academic achievers. This season he played in the two final regular-season home games against Miami (Ohio) on Feb. 26-27. He appeared for 10:59 and allowed one power-play goal for a 5.46 GAA and .800 save percentage.

The DEKERS CLUB AWARD for the most colorful rookie was shared by Comrie and Blackburn. It marked just the second time (1977 was the other) in the 31-year history of the award that two freshmen shared the honor.

The final player award of the banquet was the JOSEPH E. BARSS AWARD, presented to the player who best exemplifies a true team player, as selected by the coaching staff. Senior winger Justin Clark (Grand Rapids, Mich.) was awarded the honor after anchoring the fourth line and missing just one game -- Oct. 24 at Alaska Fairbanks -- this season. Clark finished the year with four goals and two assists for six points and a +9 rating.

The DEKER OF THE YEAR AWARD was presented to Bill Neville for his continued support of the Michigan Hockey program. The award is voted on by Deker Club members.

Also at the banquet, senior-to-be Sean Peach (Langley, B.C.) and junior-to-be Mike Van Ryn (London, Ontario) were named co-captains for the 1999-2000 season.

Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423