Michigan State’s Hildebrand named Big Ten Player, Goaltender of the Year

Jake Hildebrand put together a stellar season for Michigan State and was rewarded with Big Ten Player and Goaltender of the Year honors (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).

The Big Ten announced Monday its All-Big Ten teams and individual award winners.

Michigan State’s Jake Hildebrand was named Big Ten Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year. Hildebrand started all 20 conference games, registering a .940 save percentage and five shutouts. Hildebrand recorded a 1.94 GAA and 11 conference wins.

For the second consecutive season, Minnesota’s Mike Reilly was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Big Ten in defensemen scoring, while Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky was selected as the Coach of the Year guiding the Nittany Lions to a 18-14-4 overall record and a 10-9-1-0 mark in conference play.

Michigan’s Dylan Larkin collected Freshman of the Year laurels, while teammate Zach Hyman was named the Big Ten Scoring Champion after leading all players in points during conference play.

Larkin was second in the conference with 32 points, tied for second with 21 assists, tied for fourth with 11 goals and third with 10 power-play points. His 32 points were 16 more than any other freshman in conference contests. Hyman led all players with 33 points in conference play on 12 goals and 21 assists.

In addition, Hyman, Michael Ferrantino (Michigan State), Kyle Rau (Minnesota), Tanner Fritz (Ohio State), Max Gardiner (Penn State) and Joel Rumpel (Wisconsin) were the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honorees.

2014-15 First Team All-Big Ten

Player's NamePositionSchool
Zach HymanFMichigan
Dylan LarkinFMichigan
Casey BaileyFPenn State
Zach WerenskiDMichigan
Mike ReillyDMinnesota
Jake HildebrandGMichigan State

2014-15 Second Team All-Big Ten

Player's NamePositionSchool
Andrew CoppFMichigan
Travis BoydFMinnesota
Kyle RauFMinnesota
Michael DowningDMichigan
Travis WalshDMichigan State
Adam WilcoxGMinnesota

2014-15 Big Ten Honorable Mention

Player's NamePositionSchool
Matt BerryFMichigan State
Anthony GrecoFOhio State
David GoodwinFPenn State
Taylor HolstromFPenn State
Brady SkjeiDMinnesota
Nate JensenDPenn State
Luke JuhaDPenn State
Patrick KoudysDPenn State
P.J. MusicoGPenn State

2014-15 Big Ten All-Freshman Team

Player's NamePositionSchool
Dylan LarkinFMichigan
Matthew WeisFOhio State
Scott ConwayFPenn State
Zach WerenskiDMichigan
Josh JacobsDMichigan State