Hockey Postseason Honors Announced
Michigan State’s Taro Hirose named Big Ten Player of the Year
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced the hockey All-Big Ten teams and individual award winners on Tuesday as selected by the conference’s coaches and a media panel.
Michigan State’s Taro Hirose was named Big Ten Player of the Year, while also earning Scoring Champion honors with 34 points in 24 conference games. Ohio State’s Tommy Nappier was named the Goaltender of the Year, while teammate Sasha Larocque was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year, which is awarded to a defenseman or forward. Minnesota’s Sammy Walker collected Freshman of the Year laurels, while Ohio State’s Steve Rohlik was unanimously selected as the Coach of the Year.
The Big Ten also recognized seven Sportsmanship Award honorees. The students chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
The 2019 Big Ten Tournament will come to a close on Saturday as Notre Dame will host Penn State in the championship game at 8 p.m. ET on BTN.
The complete All-Big Ten teams, as well as a list of other honorees, can be found below.
2018-19 All-Big Ten Hockey Team and Individual Awards
As selected by Big Ten coaches and Media Voting Panel
FIRST TEAM*
TARO HIROSE, F, MICHIGAN STATE
Rem Pitlick, F, Minnesota
Mason Jobst, F, Ohio State
Evan Barratt, F, Penn State
Quinn Hughes, D, Michigan
Bobby Nardella, D, Notre Dame
Tommy Nappier, G, Ohio State
* Additional honoree due to tie
SECOND TEAM
Patrick Khodorenko, F, Michigan State
Tyler Sheehy, F, Minnesota
Sasha Larocque, D, Ohio State
Wyatt Kalynuk, D, Wisconsin
Cale Morris, G, Notre Dame
HONORABLE MENTION
Will Lockwood, F, Michigan
Mitchell Lewandowski, F, Michigan State
Dylan Malmquist, F, Notre Dame
Tanner Laczynski, F, Ohio State
Brandon Biro, F, Penn State
Zach Osburn, D, Michigan State
Cole Hults, D, Penn State
K’Andre Miller, D, Wisconsin
Mat Robson, G, Minnesota
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
SAMMY WALKER, F, MINNESOTA
Michael Graham, F, Notre Dame
Gustaf Westlund, F, Ohio State
Dennis Cesana, D, Michigan State
K’Andre Miller, D, Wisconsin
Drew DeRidder, G, Michigan State
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:Â
Taro Hirose, F, Michigan State
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (Defenseman or Forward):Â
Sasha Larocque, D, Ohio State
GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR:
Tommy Nappier, G, Ohio State
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:Â
Sammy Walker, F, Minnesota
COACH OF THE YEAR:
STEVE ROHLIK, OHIO STATE
SCORING CHAMPION:
Taro Hirose, F, Michigan State
UNANIMOUS SELECTION IN ALL CAPS
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Jack Becker, Michigan; Brennan Sanford, Michigan State; Brent Gates Jr., Minnesota; Cal Burke, Notre Dame; Brendon Kearney, Ohio State; Chase Berger, Penn State; Peter Tischke, Wisconsin.