Bulldog Hockey Presents Team Awards
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Note: Pictured is team MVP Taylor Nelson with Associate HC Drew Famulak
Big Rapids, Mich. - The national runner-up Ferris State University men's ice hockey team recently announced its 2011-12 season award recipients. The honorees were recognized during the annual Awards Banquet hosted by the FSU Blueline Club at Falcon Head Golf Course.
Senior All-America goaltender Taylor Nelson was tabbed as the Bulldogs' 2011-12 team Most Valuable Player Award recipient after helping FSU to the school's first-ever Frozen Four apperance and the program's second Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular-season championship.
Local residents Darin and Marcia Cebulla were presented with the Blueline Club Reognition Award for their support of the hockey program.
Below is a complete listing of the Award recipients:
Most Valuable Player Award - Taylor Nelson
Blueline Club Recognition Award - Darin & Marcia Cebulla
Lloyd Earl Leading Scorer Award - Jordie Johnston
The Blueline Club Competitive Award - Tommy Hill & Chad Billins
President's Award for Top Scholar-Athlete - Tommy Hill
Steve Banonis Most Improved Player Award - Garrett Thompson & Jordie Johnston
Plus/Minus Award - Scott Czarnowczan
Rookie of the Year Award - TJ Schlueter
Additionally, the Bulldogs honored the team's Dean's Award recipeints and individuals receiving CCHA and NCAA honors throughout the season with a special proclamation presented from the Ferris Foundation.
The most historic season in Bulldog Hockey history came to an end on April 7 in the national championship game at the Frozen Four as the Bulldogs suffered a 4-1 loss to Boston College in the title contest at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
The Bulldogs' most impressive season in school history came to a close with a 26-12-5 overall record and included a first-ever trip to the Frozen Four and a national runner-up finish under 2011-12 National Coach of the Year Bob Daniels.
FSU's 26 wins in the 2011-12 campaign are the second-most in school history and the season highlights also included the school's second-ever CCHA Regular-Season Championship and a Midwest Regional crown.
The title game marked the first time in school history any Bulldog team had ever competed in a national championship game. FSU won or tied 19 of its final 23 games of the season and had an impressive nation-leading 15-game unbeaten streak earlier this season along with a number one national ranking in both polls for two weeks in February.
Ferris State's runner-up finish and final second-place listing in the national polls are both tops all-time in FSU annals.