Spartans Host Annual Awards Program
4/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING - The Michigan State hockey program hosted its annual awards program on Monday, April 18 at the University Club in East Lansing. Ten different players claimed hardware, while John Sturges (1972-76) was honored with the Distinguished Spartan Award.
Senior goaltender Jake Hildebrand became the first player in program history to become a four-time Team MVP. Hildebrand appeared in every game for the second straight year and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He also posted three shutouts to bring his career total to 13 â€" third most in MSU history. His 1,046 saves in 2015-16 are the fifth-highest single-season total in 75 years of Spartan hockey.
Hildebrand, who was unable to attend Monday's event as he is playing with the Allen Americans in ECHL playoffs, ended his Spartan career with the second-highest save total (3826) and save percentage (.921) in school history. His 133 games played are second most in MSU history and his 2.54 career goals-against average ranks sixth.
Mackenzie MacEachern led the Spartans in goals (16) and points (30) to earn Outstanding Offensive Player honors. The junior forward ended the season with a career-high eight-game point streak and produced points in 11 of the final 13 games. MacEachern signed an entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues on Mach 30.
Senior defenseman Travis Walsh was the recipient of the Dr. John Downs Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award, becoming the ninth player to win the honor twice. Walsh posted his highest point total â€" 16 â€" in his four seasons with the Green and White and finished with the nation's second-highest shot block total with 108.
Captain Michael Ferrantino took home the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award. The three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree finished the season with a career-high 26 points â€" good for second on the team â€" and led the Spartans with six power-play goals.
Joe Cox was voted the winner of the Amo Bessone Award, honoring athletic and academic achievement and community participation. The junior carries a 3.88 GPA and recorded a career-best 11 goals and 23 points this past year.
Most Improved Player honors went to Thomas Ebbing as the junior had a career-high 14 assists and 19 points.
Mason Appleton led all freshmen with 22 points to garner Outstanding Rookie accolades. Appleton led the Spartans with 17 assists and appeared in all 37 games.
The Blue Line Club President's Award, recognizing the top scholar-athlete in the senior class, went to Justin Hoomaian. The alternate captain is a kinesiology major and carries a 3.8 GPA.
The Spartan Fitness Award went to defenseman Rhett Holland for the third consecutive year and Ryan Keller became the first four-time Goofus Award winner in program history.
Sturges became the 28th recipient of the program's Distinguished Spartan Award. The native of Scarborough, Ontario, ranks 10th in program history in points with 209 and is one of just 14 players in MSU's prestigious 200-point club.
He scored a career-best 24 goals and helped MSU to its first GLI title as a sophomore in 1973-74. The following season he had his best offensive season with 72 points, including 52 assists.
Sturges and the Spartans collected 23 wins during his senior season and fell just short of an NCAA Tournament bid.
Sturges' sons Dan and A.J., who were in attendance on Monday night, also played for Michigan State.
2016 Spartan Hockey Team Award Winners
Distinguished Spartan Award â€" John Sturges
Team MVP â€" Jake Hildebrand
Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior â€" Michael Ferrantino
Outstanding Offensive Player â€" Mackenzie MacEachern
Dr. John Downs Most Outstanding Defensive Player â€" Travis Walsh
Amo Bessone Award â€" Joe Cox
(honoring athletic and academic achievement and community participation)
Most Improved Player â€" Thomas Ebbing
Outstanding Rookie â€" Mason Appleton
Blue Line Club President's Award â€" Justin Hoomaian
(Top scholar-athlete in the senior class)
Spartan Fitness Award â€" Rhett Holland
Goofus Award â€" Ryan Keller
(team humorist)
