Hensick, Johnson, Hunwick Earn All-America Recognition
4/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior forward T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.), sophomore defenseman Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and senior defenseman Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) of the University of Michigan ice hockey team have been selected as 2006-07 RBK West All-Americans, the American Hockey Coaches Association announced Friday night (April 6). Hensick and Johnson were named to the West first team, while Hunwick was named to the West second team.
Michigan tied for the most All-America selections with three. North Dakota also had two first-team selections and a single second-team honoree. Boston University had one player on the first team and two on the second team for the East squad.
Hensick had a standout season as he led the nation in both points (69) and assists (46) with career-high totals. His 23 goals on the season equaled his career best set in 2004-05. As a result, he was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist for the second time of his career. Hensick had career highs in plus/minus (+24), game-winning goals (3) and shorthanded goals (2), and he tied his career best of six power-play goals for the third time. An alternate captain, he played in all 41 games for the Wolverines. Hensick had points in 32 games and tallied multiple points in a contest 22 times. Hensick was the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's scoring champion while earning All-CCHA first team honors. In 2004-05, Hensick was also a West All-America first team selection and a Hobey Baker finalist.
Johnson's 16 goals in 2006-07 were the most among all blueliners in the NCAA. The 16 tallies were also the second-best single-season goal output by any U-M defenseman (22, Steve Richmond, 1980-81). His 16 goals, 23 assists and 39 points were all career highs. Johnson's 1.08 points per game average was tops amid the nation's defensemen and his 39 points were tied for the second-best total. Johnson was selected as the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman as well as a member of the All-CCHA first team. Johnson recently signed a professional contract with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.
Hunwick, Michigan's captain, set career highs in assists (21) and plus/minus (+24) this season. His +14 rating in CCHA contests tied for the best mark among the conference's defensemen. Hunwick was named the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman in addition to earning All-CCHA first team recognition.
A Wolverine has earned All-America recognition in 14 out of the last 17 seasons. This is the first time U-M has had two first-team selections since 2002 (Mike Cammalleri, Mike Komisarek) and the first time U-M has had three overall All-Americans since 2001 (Andy Hilbert-first team, Mike Cammalleri-second team, Jeff Jillson-second team). A total of 59 Michigan players have received All-America honors 81 times in Michigan's 85-year history.
American Hockey Coaches Association Release (4/6/07)
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
