Michigan State University Athletics
John-Michael Liles Named Hockey Team MVP
4/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
April 17, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior defenseman John-Michael Liles (Zionsville, Ind.) was named the Michigan State hockey Most Valuable Player at the 2002-03 Spartan Hockey Banquet on Thursday (April 17) at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing.
Liles, who also received the Spartan Hockey Fitness and Outstanding Offensive Player awards, led the Spartans in scoring in 2002-03 with 50 points (16 goals and 34 assists). He ranked as the top scoring defenseman in the CCHA and led the nation among blueliners in points per game (1.28). The two-time All-American and CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman averaged almost 30 minutes of ice time this year and was counted on to play in all situations - even strength, power play and penalty kill.
Liles closed his career as the top goal scoring blueliner in Michigan State history with 44 tallies and also leaves MSU as the third-highest scoring defenseman in Spartan hockey history with 138 points. He was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist in 2002-03, in addition to being named to the Great Lakes Invitational All-Tournament team after tallying four points in the two games. He earned CCHA Offensive Player of the Week honors after posting five points in MSU's two-game sweep of Alaska Fairbanks.
Senior defenseman Brad Fast (Fort St. John, B.C.) was the only other multiple award winner as he took home the Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player and the Amo Bessone Awards. Fast was selected as the 2003 CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman, joining a long list of Spartan blueliners to receive this honor. The CCHA First-Team honoree was MSU's second-leading scorer, posting 11 goals and 35 assists for a career-best 46 points.
The Amo Bessone Award is handed out for athletic, scholastic and community participation. Fast is unselfish both on and off the ice and served as the team captain in 2002-03. He is always willing to give back to the community, regularly participating in community outreach programs including DARE graduations, Skate with the Spartans and the I've Got Heart outreach program for kids. In the classroom, this All-American defenseman carries a 3.39 grade-point average and will graduate this spring with his bachelor's degree in general management. In addition, Fast has been on the CCHA All-Academic team for three years.
Senior forward Troy Ferguson (Kitchener, Ont.) earned the Blue Line Club President's Award, which is awarded to the top scholar-athlete in the senior class. He is a three-time CCHA All-Academic team member and has been named to MSU's Dean's List for seven semesters. He carries a 3.7 grade-point average in pre-medicine and wants to attend medical school after his playing days are over.
Freshman forward David Booth (Washington, Mich.) was voted the team's Outstanding Rookie. The left wing on MSU's top line led all Spartan rookies with 17 goals, 19 assists and 36 points. The 36 points was good for fourth in MSU's overall scoring race, while the 17 goals ranked second on the squad. He earned CCHA Rookie of the Week honors twice and was selected to the CCHA All-Rookie team.
The Most Improved Player Award went to sophomore netminder Matt Migliaccio (Wyandotte, Mich.). He perhaps had the biggest shoes to fill this season with the early departure of Ryan Miller to the Buffalo Sabres. He closed the season with a 21-10-2 overall mark along with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .914 saves percentage. Both the GAA and the saves percentage rank eighth on MSU's single-season charts. He also posted five shutouts, including a 4-0 blanking at Michigan on Feb. 28, to rank fourth on MSU's single-season chart.
Junior defenseman Joe Markusen (Park River, N.D.) won the Goofus Award. "The Colonel," as his teammates call him, uses his humor off the ice to keep his teammates smiling. On the ice, Markusen appeared in all 39 games in 2002-03 and tallied a career-best 11 points (two goals, nine assists). He also earned special mention to the CCHA All-Academic team.
The Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award was given to senior forward Brian Maloney (Bassano, Alta.), who was the comeback story of the 2002-03 season after suffering a serious injury in the 2002 CCHA first round playoffs. He started the season slowly, tallying just three points in MSU's first 13 games. However, he would be on fire over the final 26 games, registering 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in this span. The CCHA's Terry Flanagan Memorial Award winner closed the season as the team's fifth-leading scorer with 19 goals and 16 assists for 35 points. In addition, he led the team with nine power play markers.
Kelly Miller (1981-85) was honored with the Spartan Hockey Distinguished Alumnus Award. As a senior in 1984-85, he tallied 27 goals and 50 points in 43 games as the Spartans rolled to 38-6 overall mark and a 27-5 first-place CCHA slate. He was a Hobey Baker Award finalist and earned All-America First-Team honors, in addition to being selected as the team MVP. The Lansing, Mich., native closed his career playing in 165 games, posting 82 goals and 82 assists for 164 points.
A champion in the classroom, Kelly was a three-time CCHA All-Academic team honoree, earning first-team honors in 1984 and 1985. In addition, he earned Academic All-America first-team distinction in 1985. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from MSU.
A ninth-round draft choice of the New York Rangers in 1982, his National Hockey League career spanned 15 seasons, including three years with the New York Rangers and 12 years with the Washington Capitals. He played in 1,057 career contests where he became known as on one of the top defensive players in the league, registering 181 goals and 463 points.
Miller spent the 1999-2000 season as a player/coach for the Grand Rapids Griffins, leading the squad to the Turner Cup Finals and moved on to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as an assistant coach in 2000-01. He currently is in his second season as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders, being named to the position on August 14, 2001.
2003 Spartan Hockey Awards:
Spartan Hockey Fitness Award - John-Michael Liles (Sr., D, Zionsville, Ind.)Blue Line Club President's Award - Troy Ferguson (Sr., F, Kitchener, Ont.)Outstanding Rookie Award - David Booth (Fr., F, Washington, Mich.)Most Improved Player Award - Matt Migliaccio (So., G, Wyandotte, Mich.)Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player Awards - Brad Fast (Sr., D, Fort St. John, B.C.)Goofus Award - Joe Markusen (Jr., D, Park River, N.D.)Outstanding Offensive Player Award - John-Michael Liles (Sr., D, Zionsville, Ind.)Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award - Brian Maloney (Sr., F, Bassano, Alta.)Amo Bessone Award - Brad Fast (Sr., D, Fort St. John, B.C.)Most Valuable Player Award - John-Michael Liles (Sr., D, Zionsville, Ind.)Distinguished Alumnus Award - Kelly Miller (1981-85)
