April 14, 2007

The Wayne State University men's hockey team held its annual awards presentation on Saturday, April 14 at Historic St. Andrew's on the WSU campus.

Seniors Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers) and Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) were named the team's Most Valuable Players. Higgins, Wayne State's CHA Easton Three-Star Award Winner, played in all 35 games and set career highs with 13 goals and 25 points while also leading the team with a +8 plus/minus rating. He recorded 20 of his 25 points in league play and tied for second in the CHA with 11 league goals. Higgins also earned the Top Gun award as the team's top scorer.

Iliakis, a Second Team All-CHA selection, set career highs with 22 points, six goals, and 16 assists, leading the team in the latter category as well as multiple-point games with seven. He was also named the team's Best Defenseman.

Taking WSU's Rookie of the Year honor was forward Jared Katz (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Baystate Breakers), a CHA All-Rookie Team selection who played in every game and finished third on the Warrior squad with 23 points and 11 goals, while leading all league freshmen in goals and finishing second in points.

Others receiving awards included sophomore forward Derek Punches (Manchester, Mich./Texas Tornado), who was given the Coaches' Award, senior defenseman Adam Drescher (Belleville, Mich./Wexford Raiders), who was named Most Improved Player for the second time in his career, and senior goaltender Will Hooper (Woodbridge, Ont./Wexford Raiders), whose team-high 3.92 grade-point average earned him the President's Award. Additionally, senior Jason Bloomingburg (Canton, Mich./Texas Tornado) and junior Mike Forgie (Scarborough, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) were recognized for their work as team captains.