Michigan Hockey Announces Dekers Club Team Awards
5/13/2022 4:00:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey program announced its annual Dekers Blue Line Club year-end awards this week.
Sophomore netminder Erik Portillo was the winner of the Hal Downes Award, given to the team's most valuable player. This trophy honors the memory of Hal Downes, a goaltender on the 1951 NCAA Championship team who was missing in action during the Korean War. Portillo was named the MVP of both the Big Ten Championship and the NCAA Midwest Regional. He was a Mike Richter Award semifinalist, finalist for Big Ten Goalie of the Year and was a second team All-Big Ten selection. He finished the 2021-22 season fourth in the nation in win percentage (.786) with a 31-10-1 record, was ninth in save percentage (.926), 13th in goals-against average (2.14) and 13th in shutouts (three).
Luke Hughes captured both the Dekers Club Award as the most outstanding rookie as well as the Vic Heyliger Trophy, presented to the most valuable defenseman as voted on by the team, and honors the former player and coach who led Michigan to six NCAA Championships in 13 years. A finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Hughes was the College Hockey News Rookie of the Year and Big Ten co-Freshman of the Year. A second team All-American and All-Big Ten selection, Hughes set the Michigan program record for goals (17) and points (39) scored by a rookie defenseman and finished a +25 in 41 games.
Captain Nick Blankenburg earned the Joseph E. Barss Award and the Howard Colby Award. Blankeburg tied the Michigan program record for goals scored by a senior defenseman this season with 14 and added 15 assists. An honorable mention all-conference selection, Blankeburg also blocked 47 shots and finished a +17.
The Barss Award is presented to the player who best exemplifies the true team player as chosen by the coaching staff. This trophy honors the memory of Dr. Joseph E. Barss, who became Michigan's first coach in 1922 in its first season as a varsity sport. The Colby Award is presented to the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship as voted on by the team. This award honors the memory of Howard "Prof" Colby, who served as a traveling secretary and statistician with the hockey program for more than 25 years.
Matty Beniers was named the winner of the Doc Losh Trophy and the Carl Isaacson Trophy. The Losh Trophy is presented to the player who scored the most points for the season and honors the memory of Professor Losh, who was one of Michigan's greatest sports fans. The Big Ten scoring champion as well, Beniers was a finalist for the Hobey Baker and the Big Ten Player of the Year. A first team All-American, he had 43 points in 37 games and was a +50. Excelling in the classroom, Beniers also earned the Isaacson Trophy, honoring the memory of charter member Carl Isaacson, who was the athletic trainer and close friend of the hockey program.
Ethan Edwards earned the Alton D. Simms Award as Michigan's most improved player. This trophy honors the memory of Al Simms, "the most loyal of all fans," for his support and assistance to Michigan hockey. Edwards played in 36 games on defense and scored three goals and eight assists.
