UM freshman Kyle Connor is Big Ten player of the year
Michigan’s Kyle Connor was named Big Ten hockey player of the year and freshman of the year, and Red Berenson was named coach of the year on Monday.
In addition, Michigan sophomore Zach Werenski earned defensive player of the year honors.
Connor, from Shelby Township and a first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2015, has an NCAA-leading 61 points, including 30 goals. He is the first Michigan player with 60 points since Kevin Porter (63, 2007-08) and the first UM freshman with 30 goals since Danny Felsner (30, 1988-89).
Werenski, from Grosse Pointe, is fifth in the NCAA in scoring among defensemen with 28 points.
This is the first Big Ten coach of the year award for Berenson, who has led Michigan to a 22-7-5 record and the No. 2 seed in this week’s conference tournament. The Wolverines open tournament play Friday at 5 p.m. in St. Paul, Minn., against the winner of Thursday’s Penn State-Wisconsin game.
ALL-BIG TEN HOCKEY TEAM
Selected by Big Ten coaches and media
FIRST TEAM
JT Compher, F, Michigan
Kyle Connor, F, Michigan
Tyler Motte, F, Michigan
Zach Werenski, D, Michigan
Josh Healey, D, Ohio State
Eric Schierhorn, G, Minnesota
SECOND TEAM
Hudson Fasching, F, Minnesota
Justin Kloos, F, Minnesota
Nick Schilkey, F, Ohio State
Michael Brodzinski, D, Minnesota
Vince Pedrie, D, Penn State
Eamon McAdam, G, Penn State
HONORABLE MENTION
David Goodwin, F, Penn State
Jake Bischoff, D, Minnesota
Jake Hildebrand, G, Michigan State
Christian Frey, G, Ohio State
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Kyle Connor, F, Michigan
Mason Jobst, F, Ohio State
Luke Kunin, F, Wisconsin
Zach Osburn, D, Michigan State
Vince Pedrie, D, Penn State
Eric Schierhorn, G, Minnesota
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kyle Connor, F, Michigan
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zach Werenski, D, Michigan
GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR
Eric Schierhorn, G, Minnesota
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Kyle Connor, F, Michigan
COACH OF THE YEAR
Red Berenson, Michigan
SCORING CHAMPION
Kyle Connor, F, Michigan