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.
