Buckeye Doug Andress Named CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 17, 2004
DETROIT – Ohio State men’s hockey senior Doug Andress was named the 2004 CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced at its annual awards banquet Wednesday at Fox Theatre in Detroit. Andress, from Iroquois Falls, Ontario, is the first Buckeye to be so honored since the award was implemented in 1990.
Andress leads the Buckeye defense that is allowing 2.5 goals a game this season and has stopped 84.8 percent of its opponents’ power-play chances. He ranks second for the Buckeyes with a +16 rating and leads the Buckeye defensemen in scoring with a career-best 26 points. Andress, who is first on the team with a career-high 23 assists, earned honorable mention All-CCHA accolades this year.
Buckeye senior goalie Mike Betz (Elizabeth, Pa.) received the Perani Cup for Ohio State by leading the Buckeyes in three stars of the game accolades in conference play. Betz earned a first, second or third star of the game 10 times in 28 league games this year. He finished sixth in the overall league Perani Cup standings.
Buckeye sophomore defenseman Nate Guenin (Aliquippa, Pa.) was honored for his placement on the CCHA All-Academic Team, which was released last week.
Miami’s Derek Edwardson garnered player of the year and leading scorer accolades, while RedHawk coach Enrico Blasi was the coach of the year. Michigan forward T.J. Hensick was named the rookie of the year and Michigan State freshman defenseman A.J. Thelan was the best offensive defenseman. The Wolverines’ Dwight Helminen garnered best defensive forward accolades, Neil Komodoski of Notre Dame was the Mike and Marian Ilitch Humanitarian Award winner and Alaska Fairbanks’ Aaron Voros was the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award recipient.
The Buckeyes return to action in the quarterfinal round of the CCHA Super Six at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Thursday. The No. 4 seed Buckeyes will face No. 5 Notre Dame at 7:35 p.m., with the winner advancing to the semifinal round.
