Thelen and Vicari Selected To CCHA All-Rookie Team
3/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 8, 2004
FARMININGTON HILLS, Mich. - Michigan State freshmen A.J. Thelen (Savage, Minn.) and Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich.) have been selected to the 2004 CCHA All-Rookie Team as voted by the league coaches. In addition, Tommy Goebel (Parma, Ohio) has earned CCHA All-Rookie honorable mention status.
The 2004 season marks the third straight year that the Spartans have had an all-rookie honoree, as David Booth earned the honor in 2003 and Jim Slater in 2002. It is also the fifth time in the past six years that a Spartan has earned the recognition (Rustyn Dolyny, 1998; Adam Hall, 1999; Ryan Miller, 2000).
It also marks the first time since the 1996 season (Chris Bogas and Mike York) that State has had two all-rookie honorees.
Thelen is tied for third on MSU in scoring and first among CCHA blueliners with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists). In addition, he is third in the nation among rearguards in scoring behind UMass senior Thomas Pock (14-20--34) and Minnesota junior Keith Ballard (11-20--31). His 11 goals ties him for second in the nation in goals by a blueliner behind Pock with 14.
Thelen has five power-play goals among his 11 tallies to rank first on MSU. His 10 power-play points (five goals, five assists) are tops on the Spartan squad.
 Dominic Vicari  | |
Vicari has posted a 13-11-1 mark, along with a 2.10 GAA and a .925 saves percentage. He ranks seventh in the country in saves percentage and ninth in GAA. In addition, he sits seventh on MSU's single-season GAA chart and sixth on State's saves percentage list. In league games only, Vicari led the conference in GAA (1.88) and placed second in saves percentage (.933).
His seven blankings lead the CCHA and the nation. In addition, the seven whitewashes rank fourth on MSU's single-season chart. Ryan Miller (2000-01) holds MSU's single-season record of 11 shutouts.
Meanwhile, Goebel is tied for third on the team with 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists). Despite missing six games with mononucleosis, he still ranks fifth in the country in points-per-game among rookies (0.94). In addition, his 14 goals on the season rank tied for third in the nation among rookies in that category.
Joining Vicari and Thelen on the all-rookie team are: forwards Matt Christie (Miami), Marty Guerin (Miami) and T.J. Hensick (Michigan) and defenseman Matt Hunwick (Michigan).
Michigan State (21-15-2 overall, 17-9-2 CCHA) entertains Ferris State (15-18-3 overall, 10-17-1 CCHA) in the first round of the CCHA playoffs at Munn Ice Arena March 12, 13 and 14 (if necessary). Friday's game begins at 7:05 p.m.; while on Saturday, the puck will drop at 7:35 p.m. as the game will be televised live by Fox Sports Net Detroit. If a third game is necessary on Sunday, the game will start at 7:05 p.m.
