Big Ten Names 2022-2023 Hockey Award Finalists
First post, go easy.
The Big Ten named their 2022-2023 Hockey Award Finalists. And somehow Adam Fantilli, the player leading the Big Ten (and the NCAA) in scoring was not named a Finalist for Player of the Year. No disrespect to Luke, Knies (he's a wagon and should have left for the Maple Leafs at the end of last year), or Bischel (great year, glad he's out of the BTT). But this feels similar to the Kyle Connor/Hobey Baker fiasco, where they didn't pay attention to a guy putting the puck in the net game in and game out.
He is nominated for Freshman of the Year, but I would think a guy averaging 1.8 points a game would also be nominated in the Player of the Year category. It doesn't matter on the ice, but it feels like Michigan hockey players don't get the respect they deserve when it comes to the individual rewards. (And, while I am complaining, Big Ten hockey referees stink!)
2022-23 BIG TEN HOCKEY AWARDS FINALISTS:
Player of the Year
Luke Hughes, D, MICH
Matthew Knies, F, MINN
Ryan Bischel, G, ND
Defensive Player of the Year
Luke Hughes, D, MICH
Brock Faber, D, MINN
Mason Lohrei, D, OSU
Goaltender of the Year
Justen Close, MINN
Ryan Bischel, ND
Jakub Dobeš, OSU
Freshman of the Year
Adam Fantilli, F, MICH
Logan Cooley, F, MINN
Jimmy Snuggerud, F, MINN
https://bigten.org/news/2023/3/8/mens-ice-hockey-hockey-finalists.aspx
Fantilli better win freshman award.
Total snub, but am not surprised. Should be a Hobey finalist
Would be great to see Fantilli win the Hobey after that joke. Like Olu not getting 1st team B1G, then winning the Rimmington. Up there with Franz not winning B1GDPOY.
Definitely should be up for player of the year. But he missed a lot of games during season. Needs to keep his head on straight and not let opponents get into his. Too many dumb penalties to keep him out of games.