Umberger Named CCHA Rookie of the Year – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 18, 2001
%^$DETROIT, Mich. – Ohio State men’s hockey center R.J. Umberger (Pittsburgh,%^$Pa.) has been named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of%^$the Year, the league announced at its annual awards banquet at the Fox%^$Theatre Thursday.%^$
%^$Umberger, a member of the CCHA All-Rookie Team, led the Buckeyes and was%^$second among league rookies with 37 points, on 14 goals and a team-high 23%^$assists. He also was Ohio State’s honoree for the Perani Cup, an award given%^$to the athlete on each CCHA team based on Three Stars of the Game selections during conference games.%^$
%^$Umberger was a member of U.S. National Junior Team that competed in the 2001%^$World Junior Championships in Moscow. Umberger was rated fourth in the%^$National Hockey League Central Scouting Service’s mid-season rankings for%^$North American players. He was the highest-rated American player as well as%^$the highest-ranked collegian.%^$
%^$Umberger is the third Buckeye to earn league rookie of the year honors. Paul%^$Pooley was the winner in 1980-81 and Brian Loney earned the award in 191-92.%^$
%^$Other current Buckeyes who earned league honors were Dave Steckel, a member%^$of the CCHA All-Rookie Team, Doug Andress, an honorable mention all-rookie team honoree, and Miguel Lafleche, an honorable mention%^$Academic All-CCHA honoree.%^$
%^$The Buckeyes ended the season 17-18-2 overall and 13-13-2 in the CCHA.
