Michigan’s Ivankovic and Michigan State’s Romani Honored with HCA Monthly Awards
Michigan State’s Stramel, Wisconsin’s Palodichuk finish as runners-up
ROSEMONT, lll. — Michigan freshman Jack Ivankovic was named Goalie of the Month and Michigan State forward Anthony Romani selected Rookie of the Month for December by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) on Thursday.
A second round NHL Draft pick of the Nashville Predators, Ivankovic posted a 1.02 goals-against average and a .964 save percentage for top-ranked Michigan, earning a road shutout against No. 3/3 Michigan State on Dec. 5. He also led Team Canada to a bronze medal against the world’s best under-20 players at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota.
Romani compiled six points (four goals, two assists) in four games. He scored twice in a win against No.1/1 Michigan on Dec. 6, earned Big Ten Third Star of the Week honors on Dec. 30 and was named to the Great Lakes Invitational All-Tournament Team. Romani is a sixth round NHL Draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks.
In addition to Ivankovic's and Romani’s selections, two other Big Ten players earned runner-up status for monthly awards — Michigan State’s Charlie Stramel (forward) and Wisconsin’s Joe Palodichuk (defender).