Hilbert Decides to Pursue Professional Career

Hilbert Press Conference Comments (7/10/01)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced today (Monday, July 9) that ice hockey forward Andy Hilbert (Howell, Mich.), a finalist for the 2001 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, has decided to forego his junior and senior seasons to pursue a career in professional hockey.

Hilbert

"Andy has informed us that he is leaving school to pursue an opportunity with the team that drafted him -- the Boston Bruins," said U-M head coach Red Berenson. "It's got to be tough for him to leave, but I think everybody understands he's following a dream, and I can't tell him he shouldn't leave if he is going to step right into the NHL. He knows what he's giving up and I think he knows what he's getting into. He's been a good student, a good kid and a great player."

Selected by Boston as the 37th overall pick in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Hilbert led the Wolverines in scoring during the 2001 campaign, amassing 64 points on 26 goals and a team-high 38 assists. A first-team All-American and All-CCHA first-team selection, he finished the year ranked second in the CCHA for scoring in overall games, and third for points in conference outings with 15-27-42 totals. He also ended the year listed seventh in the nation in points per game (1.52) and 11th in assists per game (0.90).

As a freshman, Hilbert led all U-M newcomers and tied for the scoring lead among freshmen in the CCHA with 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points. He earned Bauer/CCHA All-Rookie Team as well as All-CCHA honorable mention while pacing the rookie class in scoring in CCHA games with 14-12-26.

Hilbert concludes his career at Michigan after seeing action in 80 games over a two-year period. During that time, he tallied 43 goals and 54 assists for 97 points to go along with 115 penalty minutes and a +34 plus-minus rating.

Hilbert is the second Wolverine in the last three months to leave school to pursue professional opportunities. Jeff Jillson, an All-American defenseman in 2000-01, signed with the San Jose organization in May after being tabbed 14th overall by the Sharks in the first round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Hilbert's U-M Career Statistics

Year	GP	G	A	PTS	PEN	PIM	PP	SH	HAT	GWG	OTG	+/-
1999-2000	38	17	16	33	16	43	6	0	0	2	0	+7
2000-01	42	26	38	64	24	72	4	2	1	7	1	+27
Totals	80	43	54	97	40	115	10	2	1	9	1	+34

Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Andy Hilbert

Jeff Jillson

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