CENTRAL COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 101 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 Phone: (248) 888-0600 • Fax: (248) 888-0664 [email protected] • www.ccha.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Fred Pletsch March 8, 2004 (248) 888-0600

TRIO OF TEAMS PLACE A PAIR ON THE ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Three schools each have a pair of players among the six freshmen named to the 2003-04 Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team by vote of the conference head coaches. At least one Wolverine has been honored in 12 of the 16 years since the team was created. The team will be honored at the 2004 CCHA Awards on Wednesday, March 17, at the Fox Theatre in .

2003-04 CCHA All-Rookie Team Matt Christie Forward Miami Ajax, ON Marty Guerin Forward Miami Lansing, MI T.J. Hensick Forward Michigan Howell, MI Matt Hunwick Defenseman Michigan Roseville, MI A.J. Thelen Defenseman Michigan State Savage, MN Dominic Vicari Goaltender Michigan State Clinton Twp., MI

Matt Christie, a 19-year old forward from Ajax, Ont., and Miami University, was the CCHA’s leading power-play scorer this season with seven power-play goals in conference play and nine power-play tallies overall. Christie recorded 12 goals in conference play, tying him with two others for the freshman lead, and was tied for fourth on his team in overall scoring with 30 points.

Marty Guerin, a 20-year old forward from Lansing, Mich., and Miami University, emerged as the second-highest scoring rookie in conference play with 11 goals and 24 points in 28 games. Guerin, who was one of just six freshmen to record a short-handed goal this season, finished tied for the team lead with a +10 rating in conference play.

T.J. Hensick, an 18-year old forward from Howell, Mich., and the , led his team in both conference and overall scoring with 34 and 41 points, respectively. Hensick’s 34 points in CCHA play made him the leading freshman scorer and second-leading scorer overall in conference play.

Matt Hunwick, an 18-year old defenseman from Roseville, Mich., and the University of Michigan, led his team with a +14 rating in conference play. Hunwick, who led his team with 54 minutes, is the sixth Wolverine defenseman to be named to the All-Rookie Team in the last seven years.

A.J. Thelen, an 18-year old defenseman from Savage, Minn., and Michigan State University, is third in the nation for scoring by a defenseman with 29 points overall. Thelen, whose 23 points in conference play tie him for third on his team, is third in the CCHA with a +16 in conference play. Thelen is ranked 16th in the NHL’s Central Scouting MidTerm Report, the highest of any CCHA skater.

Dominic Vicari, a 19-year old goalie from Clinton Twp., Mich., and Michigan State University, leads the CCHA with a 1.88 GAA in 20 conference games played. Vicari’s .933 save percentage in those games ranks him second in the league. Vicari, who leads his team with 13 wins on the season, recorded a nation-leading seven shutouts this season, six coming in CCHA play.

Honorable mentions Forward — Tom Goebel, MSU; Darin Olver, NMU; Curtis Fraser, UAF; Andrew Schembri, OSU; Scott Parse, UNO; Paul Szczechura, WMU. Defense — Wes O’Neill, ND; Jonathan Sigalet, BGSU; Giovanni Flamminio, FSU. Goaltender - David Brown, ND; Jeff Jakaitis, LSSU; Brandon Crawford-West, MIA.

— CCHA —

Alaska Fairbanks • Bowling Green • Ferris State • Lake Superior • Miami • Michigan • Michigan State • Nebraska Omaha • Northern Michigan • Notre Dame • Ohio State • Western Michigan