When the MSU hockey team takes the ice this fall, it will be looking to erase memories of the program's most disappointing season in a decade. The Spartans weren't bad - finishing 23-14-2 overall and placing fourth in the CCHA.
There weren't many surprises at the MSU hockey team's annual awards banquet Thursday night - which was good news for John-Michael Liles. The senior defenseman took home three honors, including the team's Most Valuable Player Award, to headline the evening at the Holiday Inn South, 6820 S.
The MSU hockey team held its annual awards bust in Lansing last night. Yeah, it was a good time. But I would have done a couple things differently - namely instituted some hip new trophies. So, without further ado, here are the third annual State News hockey awards: The traditional stuff Most Valuable Player: John-Michael Liles Outstanding Offensive Player: Liles Outstanding Defensive Player: Liles Most Improved Player: Matt Migliaccio Outstanding Rookie: David Booth It might look like I copied those from the actual list of awards, but I swear to Hasek that I picked them before the real ones were released.
The way Rick Comley sees it, returning the MSU hockey program to powerhouse status is a two-step process - first, restore roster depth, then restock the supply of elite players. Mission No.
Justin Tobe isn't going anywhere.Nor is Matt Migliaccio. And Dominic Vicari will soon enroll at MSU.Three goaltenders.
MSU (23-14-2) wasn't an elite hockey team this season, but it wasn't for a lack of elite players. Two Spartans - senior defensemen John-Michael Liles and Brad Fast - were named to the JOFA All-American teams announced Wednesday by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Liles made the West First Team, while Fast was named to the West Second Team. Of the 24 players honored Wednesday, only three were on teams that didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament - Liles, Fast and Yale forward Chris Higgins. "In order to have a good individual season, you often need to be on a successful team," Liles said.
John-Michael Liles' hopes for the Hobey are over. Liles, a senior defenseman from Zionsville, Ind., was not one of the three Hobey Baker Award finalists announced Wednesday.
When we last left John-Michael Liles two weeks ago, he had just accidentally scored a goal on his own net, thus sealing MSU's season-ending 7-5 loss to Northern Michigan. Afterward, the superlative senior defenseman was too distraught to talk to the media.
For the last several years, the MSU hockey program has been characterized by miserly defense and sturdy goaltending. The Spartans routinely won games by modest scores of 2-0 and 3-1.
Troy Ferguson's mind-set is shifting from body checks to books. Ferguson played his final hockey game for MSU in a 7-5 loss to Northern Michigan on Thursday.
Dave McAuliffe finished his 11th season as an MSU assistant hockey coach Thursday. Soon afterward, he found out he won't be around for a 12th year.Head coach Rick Comley decided against renewing McAuliffe's contract for next season.
Sixteen hockey teams flashed across the screen on the NCAA Hockey Tournament Selection Show on Sunday evening.
John Markell's team had just been smacked around Joe Louis Arena by Northern Michigan. Dutifully, the Ohio State head coach withstood a press conference during which he had to explain why his players seemed devoid of urgency in their 4-1 loss to the Wildcats in the CCHA Super Six consolation game. As would be expected, once the reporters' questions ceased, Markell made a beeline out of the Joe's makeshift interview room.
Detroit - Rick Comley has been on the wrong side of this twice now. Last year, his Northern Michigan Wildcats were eliminated by MSU in a CCHA Tournament semifinal.
Every once in a while, the thought creeps into Troy Ferguson's mind. He always pushes the notion out of his consciousness as quickly as possible, but he knows it's the truth: His career as an MSU hockey player could end in Detroit this weekend. Especially if the fourth-seeded Spartans stumble tonight against No.
After sophomore forward Brock Radunske scored his first career hat trick Friday night, he jokingly said he had the puck on his stick so much because his linemates had owed him a couple passes. It was a valid point. Radunske, a 6-foot-4, 203-pounder, has been the MSU hockey team's most dangerous play-maker during the last month.
Brad Fast was groomed to become a captain of the MSU hockey team since the first day he stepped on campus.A quiet guy hailing from eight hours north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Fast had all the makings of a leader.
To persevere through hockey playoffs, a team invariably needs its goaltending to be somewhere between good and great. MSU sophomore Matt Migliaccio knows that.
It wasn't as easy as Friday night, but the MSU hockey team locked up a trip to Detroit with a 3-1 win over Alaska-Fairbanks on Saturday night at Munn Ice Arena.The win gave No.
For Brian Maloney, tonight's CCHA Tournament game against Alaska-Fairbanks can't come soon enough. Maloney, a senior left wing on the MSU hockey team, has been itching for some playoff action for almost two years now.