College Hockey:

National scoring leader Miele named USCHO’s player of the year

Hobey Baker Award winner Andy Miele, a senior with the Miami RedHawks, has been voted as USCHO’s player of the year.

Miami's Andy Miele won the 2011 Hobey Baker Award after leading the nation with 71 points (photo: Melissa Wade).

A 5-foot-8 forward from Gross Pointe, Mich., Miele signed a free agent contract with the Phoenix Coyotes after the RedHawks lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to New Hampshire.

Miele’s prolific scoring was a catalyst for the RedHawks’ success, which included a Mason Cup as CCHA tournament champions. He finished the season with 71 points on 47 assists and 24 goals, leading the country in scoring.

Hobey finalist Matt Frattin of North Dakota, who finished second in scoring, was 11 points behind Miele in the scoring race. The 71 points was the most by a college player since the 2002-03 season, and he was first nationally in points per game at 1.82.

Miele also led the CCHA in points with 56, the most for a CCHA player since 1991-1992.

Miele served as the assistant captain for the RedHawks. He started slowly, getting only one point in Miami’s first two games against New Hampshire, but quickly picked up the pace, notching two goals and seven assists in a two-game set against Northern Michigan, Miami’s third series of the season.

Among the highlights of Miele’s season were:

• 22 multi-point games, with 10 games in which he scored three or more points and eight weekends in which he recorded five or more points.

• 15 multi-assist games.

• 20 games (out of 39) in which he scored a goal.

• Recording a point in 33 of 39 games.

• A school record 17-game point streak that began on Jan. 8 and concluded on March 19, when Miele notched a goal and assist to lead Miami to the CCHA championship over Western Michigan. In that streak, Miele scored 14 goals and 24 assists.

Miele racked up many honors during the course of the year, including CCHA tournament MVP, All-CCHA tournament team and CCHA player of the month for January and February.

USCHO’s awards were voted on by staff members at the Frozen Four. Still to come this week: the nation’s top rookie and top coach, as well as All-USCHO first, second and third teams.

Possibly related:

• Rensselaer’s Polacek Named ECAC Player of the Year, Teammate Jerry D’Amigo ECAC Rookie of the Year (3/18/2010)
• Amherst’s Smith Named NESCAC Player of Year (3/1/2001)
• ND’s Brown Named CCHA Player Of The Year (3/15/2007)

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