April 3, 2004

The Wayne State University men's hockey team held its annual banquet Saturday at the Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit.

Freshman left wing Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) earned team Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Warriors in goals (13), power-play goals (4) and shooting percentage (.186) and finishing second in points (22). He had the team's top plus/minus rating among forwards and was tied-for-third on the team in assists (9).

Baclig also shared the team's Rookie of the Year award with Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers). Higgins was first on the team in assists (15) and points (23) and third in goals (8), while earning College Hockey America All-Rookie team honors. Higgins also won the team's "Top Gun" award for leading the squad in scoring.

Senior goalie Marc Carlson (Hingham, Mass./Chicago Freeze) earned the President's Award for academic success. He has a 3.63 cumulative grade-point average in accounting.

Freshman defenseman Matt Boldt (Burnsville, Minn./Billings Bulls) earned the Most Improved award after appearing in 27 games with a power-play goal and four assists with 32 shots on goal.

Sophomore defenseman Greg Poupard (Jackson, Mich./Waterloo Black Hawks) was voted the Best Defensive Player. Poupard played in 30 games and set career-highs with three goals and four assists for seven points with two power-play goals.

Senior forward Matt Milanowski (Grand Rapids, Mich./Bozeman Icedogs) was presented with the Coaches Award.

Seniors Nick Stodgell (Warroad, Minn./Des Moines Buccaneers) and Travis Rycroft (Penticton, B.C./Merritt Centennials) were given the Captain's Award.