Spartan Hockey Announces Annual Team Awards

EAST LANSING – The Michigan State hockey program has announced its team awards for the 2019-20 season. A trio of seniors all garnered two honors, including goaltender John Lethemon who was named the Ron Mason Most Valuable Player. Forward Patrick Khodorenko was named the Outstanding Offensive Player and also won the Spartan Fitness Award, while defenseman Jerad Rosburg won the Blue Line Club President's Award and was named the Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player for the second straight year.

Lethemon was also the winner of the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior award. The netminder had the best season of his career as he raised his career save percentage by 37 percent, while dropping his career goals-against average by an entire goal. The native of Northville led the Big Ten in conference games in save percentage, goals-against average, shutouts and saves. The team MVP was among the top goaltenders in the nation for much of the season, finishing the year with a .935 save percentage, which ranked sixth in the country, and a 2.13 goals-against average that was third in the Big Ten.

Khodorenko produced his third consecutive 30-plus point season, leading MSU in goals (16), assists (17) and points (33). The native of Walnut Creek, California ended the regular season as the B1G leader in goals in conference games with 13, while finishing tied for fourth in the league scoring race with 22 points. He posted 11 multi-point games, including a league-best eight in Big Ten play.

Rosburg led the nation in blocked shots with 86 and finished his career with 260. While consistently facing opponents' top lines in every game, Rosburg was also able to produce the best offensive season of his career as he ranked fourth on the team with 17 points (4g, 13a).

Co-captain Sam Saliba, who owns a 3.5 GAP in finance, was honored with his third consecutive Dr. Stephen Swistak Memorial Scholarship. Saliba tied a career high with 10 goals and produced 17 points in his final season.

Junior co-captain Tommy Apap was voted winner of the Most Improved Player Award as he produced career highs in goals (7), assists (5) and points (12).

The Outstanding Rookie Award went to Josh Nodler, who collected eight points, including a game-winning goal.

Senior goaltender Spencer Wright was honored with the Spartan Shield Award, which recognizes selflessness and dedication.

Defenseman Butrus Ghafari, who played in every game and produced a career high point total, claimed the Amo Bessone Award, which honors athletic and academic achievement and community participation.

For the third time in four seasons, senior defenseman Anthony Scarsella won the Goofus Award.

BLC President's Award (senior with highest GPA)	Jerad Rosburg
Dr. Stephen Swistak Memorial Scholarship	Sam Saliba
Spartan Fitness Award	Patrick Khodorenko
Outstanding Rookie	Josh Nodler
Most Improved Player	Tommy Apap
Amo Bessone Award (athletic and academic achievement and community participation)	Butrus Ghafari
Goofus Award	Anthony Scarsella
Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior	John Lethemon
Spartan Shield Award	Spencer Wright
Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player	Jerad Rosburg
Outstanding Offensive Player	Patrick Khodorenko
Ron Mason Most Valuable Player	John Lethemon

This year's winner of the Blue Line Club President's Award is Jerad Rosburg! The finance major carries a 3.7 GPA & will graduate next month. pic.twitter.com/w4EU4hYxG3
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 15, 2020

For the second time in his career, Patrick Khodorenko is the winner of the Spartan Fitness Award! pic.twitter.com/yOKjIzkbc6
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 15, 2020

Josh Nodler is this year's winner of the Outstanding Rookie Award! pic.twitter.com/DqhgZ24R8Z
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 15, 2020

With career highs in goals, assists and points, Tommy Apap is this year's winner of the Most Improved Player Award! pic.twitter.com/YmxGxwMvcJ
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 15, 2020

Anthony Scarsella is now a three-time Goofus Award winner! pic.twitter.com/hLHgi2Uxmj
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 15, 2020

This year's winner of the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award is goaltender John Lethemon! pic.twitter.com/qXSM9q195w
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 15, 2020

Butrus Ghafari is this year's winner of the Amo Bessone Award, honoring athletic and academic achievement and community participation! pic.twitter.com/yD3a8ac8tX
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 16, 2020

Spencer Wright embodies all the qualities of a selfless teammate, making him this year's recipient of the Spartan Shield Award! pic.twitter.com/53DK2NSnG9
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 16, 2020

For the third consecutive season, captain Sam Saliba is the recipient of the Dr. Stephen Swistak Memorial Scholarship! pic.twitter.com/66FTNNU4W1
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 16, 2020

Jerad Rosburg wins his second consecutive Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player Award! pic.twitter.com/oa3JF3DDuz
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 16, 2020

The Spartans' leading scorer, Patrick Khodorenko, is this year's Outstanding Offensive Player! pic.twitter.com/Kezztbh3gS
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 16, 2020

To cap the 2019-20 Spartan Hockey Awards - the winner of this year's Ron Mason MVP is goaltender John Lethemon! pic.twitter.com/3MQlk9gT81
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) April 17, 2020