Defenseman A.J. Thelen Named CCHA Rookie of the Week
1/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 26, 2004
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. - Freshman defenseman A.J. Thelen (Savage, Minn.) was selected as the CCHA Rookie of the Week (Jan. 26) after his five-point performance in MSU's two-game sweep at Ohio State. Thelen picked up a pair of assists in Friday's 4-2 win, including a helper on MSU's game-winning tally. In Saturday's 3-0 blanking, he tallied a pair of goals including the game winner to mark his first career multiple-goal game. Both of his goals came on shots from the point.
He currently ranks third on MSU in scoring and tied for first among CCHA blueliners with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists). His 22 points ties him with Northern Michigan's Nathan Oystrick (5-17--22) and New Hampshire's Brian Yandle (10-12-22) for second in the nation behind UMass defenseman Thomas Pock (12-17-29).
The Savage, Minn., native has five power-play goals among his eight tallies to rank first on MSU and tied for fifth in the CCHA in that category. He is tied for 26th in the nation with his five power-play markers.
Michigan State (15-12-1 overall, 11-6-1 CCHA) faces CCHA leader Miami (14-9-3 overall, 11-5-2 CCHA) at Munn Ice Arena this Friday-Saturday (Jan. 30-31). The Spartans are tied for second with Michigan in league play and sit just one point behind first-place Miami.