Reichard named RBC CCHA Player of the Year
March 18, 2010 05:15 PM
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Sophomore goaltender Cody Reichard of the regular-season champion Miami RedHawks was named the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Year at the annual CCHA Awards banquet on Thursday, March 18. Twelve individual awards were handed out at Detroit’s historic Fox Theatre, including six determined by a vote of the league’s 12 coaches.
Reichard finished the regular season as the CCHA leader in goals-against average (1.23), save percentage (.950), and shutouts (5). He also led the nation in overall GAA (1.48) and winning percentage (.841).
Alaska forward Andy Taranto became the first Nanook to be honored as the CCM/CCHA Rookie of the Year. Taranto led all rookies in conference scoring with 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points. Taranto also finished the CCHA regular season ranked third in the nation in rookie scoring with a 16-23-39 line.
Miami’s Enrico Blasi was named the CCHA Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his 11 seasons as the RedHawk bench boss. Blasi led the RedHawks to the program’s third CCHA regular-season title with a stellar 21-2-5-2 conference record, including a 23-game unbeaten streak in league play.
Alaska senior forward Dion Knelsen was named Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Knelsen, a business administration major, holds a 3.984 grade-point average and was named to the chancellor’s list all seven semesters at Alaska. The 21-year-old also finished tied for eighth in the CCHA in scoring with 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points.
Knelsen also received the Mike and Marian Ilitch Humanitarian Award as the league’s top citizen, based on his contributions off the ice, as well as on, to his team, his program, his school and his community. The Three Hills, Alberta, native has volunteered his time to a multitude of causes, including "Nooks for Books" (a program where Nanook student-athletes read to children at local elementary schools), Sports Night at the Denali Center (an assisted living home for senior citizens in Fairbanks), and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Knelsen also sponsors a child in the Dominican Republic and is co-sponsor with his teammates for another child there.
Ferris State senior forward Aaron Lewicki was presented with the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award in recognition of his perseverance, dedication and courage while overcoming severe adversity. Lewicki’s mother passed away during his time at Ferris State and he suffers from a congenital back condition. Despite these obstacles, Lewicki has played a prominent role in the Bulldog program and their rise to third place in the CCHA standings this season.
Miami junior captain Tommy Wingels was named CCHA Best Defensive Forward. Wingels played a key role in Miami only allowing 39 goals in league play. Wingels also had a +12 rating in CCHA games.
Northern Michigan junior defenseman Erik Gustafsson was honored as the Best Offensive Defenseman for the second straight season. The Wildcat captain led CCHA defensemen in league scoring and finished second among all players in assists with 21.
Miami sophomore Will Weber was named Best Defensive Defenseman. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound rearguard played a major role in Miami’s record-setting defensive campaign.