In the last 15 seasons, four players have been both the top goal-scorer in Division I men’s hockey and the nation’s leader in points.
To the list that includes Colorado College Peter Sejna in 2002-03, Boston College’s Nathan Gerbe in 2007-08 and the Eagles’ Johnny Gaudreau in 2013-14, add Michigan freshman Kyle Connor this season.
Connor scored 35 goals and netted 71 points in helping the Wolverines end a three-year NCAA tournament drought.
The national-best point total equaled the figure posted by Boston University rookie Jack Eichel in his Hobey Baker Award-winning season in 2014-15.
Connor didn’t win the Hobey this season — that went to Harvard senior Jimmy Vesey — but the Michigan rookie was USCHO’s choice as the top rookie and player in Division I men’s hockey.
Connor, a first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets who signed with the NHL team on Monday, was part of the Michigan first line that made history by all being named to the list of 10 Hobey finalists.
JT Compher was second nationally in scoring with 63 points, while Tyler Motte was second in goals with 32.
Connor started his collegiate career with a two-goal performance and added 11 other multiple-goal games. He scored four times in a Big Ten semifinal victory over Penn State and had a hat trick against Minnesota on Dec. 11.
He finished the season with a 27-game point-scoring streak and recorded at least one point in 35 of 38 games.
USCHO’s postseason awards were selected by USCHO staff members during the Frozen Four.
The All-USCHO teams were unveiled Wednesday and the coach of the year was named Thursday.
