Union’s Ciampini, Michigan’s Larkin take home national awards for January

Daniel Ciampini exploded for 18 points in eight games for Union in January (photo: Melissa Wade).

Union senior forward Daniel Ciampini has been selected as the Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Division I Player of the Month for January, while Michigan freshman forward Dylan Larkin has been named HCA National Rookie of the Month for January.

Ciampini recorded 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points in eight games for the Dutchmen. His 18 points led all ECAC Hockey players and shared top honors in the nation for points produced in January. He tallied four multi-goal games during the month and was also named ECAC Hockey Player of the Month for January.

On Jan. 24, Ciampini helped the Dutchmen reclaim the Mayor’s Cup title in an 8-3 win over Rensselaer, recording a hat trick and three assists that tied a Union program record for points in a single game. He also surpassed 100 career points with the outburst and his six points tied the NCAA season single-game high.

Larkin contributed seven goals and 14 points in six games and ranked second nationally with 2.33 points per game in January, an average that trailed only teammate Zach Hyman.

Michigan’s Dylan Larkin averaged better than two points per game last month for the Wolverines (photo: Melissa Wade).

Larkin opened the month with a two-point performance against Minnesota Jan. 9, scoring a goal and adding an assist on the overtime game-winning goal. The following night, he capped off a four-point weekend with a pair of goals, including the game-winner, as the Wolverines completed a sweep of the Gophers. Then on Jan. 16 in a 10-6 win at Ohio State, Larkin recorded a career-best five point night (two goals, three assists) and became the first Michigan freshman to record five points in a game since the 1997-98 season. Larkin recorded another four-point series Jan. 23-24 at Wisconsin, tallying a goal and three assists.