Kyle Connor, Michigan Clean Up at Big Ten Awards

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The Big Ten announced their individual player awards and All-Big Ten Team on Monday, which included some big honors for Winnipeg Jets draft pick Kyle Connor and his University of Michigan Wolverines.

Connor won Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year for his 30-goal, 61-point performance through 34 games. Connor finished one goal ahead of Tyler Motte to lead the NCAA in goals. He also lead in points, with a nine-point gulf between him and the three-way tie behind him, which includes Zac Lynch of Robert Morris, Andrew Poturalski of New Hampshire and Connor’s teammate JT Compher.

Connor’s teammate and captain of the U.S. World Junior squad Zach Werenski took home Defenseman of the Year honors. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect put up nine goals and 28 points in 34 games during his sophomore season.

University of Minnesota freshman goaltender Eric Schierhorn took home goaltender of the year honors, leading the conference with 14 wins and a 2.67 goals against average.

All three make an appearance on the All-Big Ten first team, along with Compher and Motte, as well as Ohio State’s Josh Healey. Connor was the only unanimous selection. It’s the first time one team has ever had four selections to the All-Big Ten first team.

While Michigan dominated the first team, with four of the six players, the University of Minnesota has a big presence on the second team, which includes Michael Brodzinski, Hudson Fasching and Justin Kloos. Joining them is Eamon McAdam and Vince Pedrie from Penn State and Ohio State’s Nick Schilkey.

The All-Freshman Team features Connor and Schierhorn as unanimous entries, as well as Ohio State’s Mason Jobst, Wisconsin’s Luke Kunin, Michigan State’s Zach Osburn and Penn State’s Vince Pedrie.

Lastly, the Big Ten handed out sportsmanship awards to Michigan’s Cristoval Nieves, Michigan State’s Michael Ferrantino, Minnesota’s Jake Bischoff, Ohio State’s Craig Dalrymple, Penn State’s Luka Juha and Wisconsin’s Kevin Schulze.

The University of Michigan Wolverines found their name all over the place in the Big Ten Awards. This weekend they’ll face the winner of Penn State and the University of Wisconsin in the Big Ten semifinals.

At the other end of the bracket Michigan State will face Ohio State in Thursday’s play-in. The winner earns the right to take on the University of Minnesota Gophers in the semifinals.

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