Michigan Hockey Announces Team Awards
6/18/2025 10:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey program announced this week its annual year-end awards.
T.J. Hughes captured both the Hal Downes Award and the Doc Losh Trophy. Presented to the team's most valuable player, the Hal Downes Award honors the memory of Downes, a goaltender on the 1951 NCAA Championship team who was missing in action during the Korean War. Hughes had the longest scoring streak in the nation this season at 15 games and scored his 100th career point in his 100th career game. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Hughes led Michigan in scoring with 38 points in 36 games to win the Doc Losh Trophy, presented to the player who scored the most points for the season and honors the memory of Professor Losh, who was one of Michigan's greatest sports fans. Hughes tallied 15 goals and 23 assists, both team highs, and had 30 points in 24 conference games. He also led the team in faceoff wins with 380.
The Dekers Club Award, given to the most outstanding rookie, was won by Michael Hage. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Hage finished fourth in the nation in rookie scoring with 34 points on 13 goals and 21 assists. He began his career on a five-game point streak en route to earning national Rookie of the Month honors and followed up with 24 points in 24 conference games. The team leader in game-winning goals with four, Hage's season was highlighted by a five-point performance against Penn State.
Ethan Edwards is this year's recipient of the Vic Heyliger Trophy, presented to the most valuable defenseman as voted on by the team, and honors the former player and coach who led Michigan to six NCAA championships in 13 years. Edwards led the defensemen in scoring with 21 points in 36 games, playing more than 26 minutes per game. He finished second on the team in blocked shots with 49 and captured second-team All-Big Ten honors.
The Alton D. Simms Award, presented to the team's most improved player, was given to Josh Orrico. The award honors the memory of Simms, "the most loyal of all fans," for his support of and assistance to Michigan hockey. Orrico played in seven games this season and recorded three blocked shots.
Captain Jacob Truscott took home the Howard Colby Award for the second straight season. The Colby Award is presented to the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship and honors the memory of Howard "Prof" Colby, who served as a traveling secretary and statistician with the hockey program for more than 25 years. The recipient of the Derek Hines Award, Truscott played in all 36 games and tallied 16 points. He led the team in blocked shots and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.
Another two-time winner is Josh Eernisse, who was awarded the Carl Isaacson Trophy, presented to the player with the highest scholastic average combined with the attributes of athletic ability. The trophy honors the memory of charter member Isaacson, who was the trainer for many years and a close friend of the men of the teams. A Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Eernisse skated in all 36 games and added 11 points and 24 blocked shots.
Kienan Draper earned the Joseph E. Barss Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies the true team player as chosen by the coaching staff. This trophy honors the memory of Dr. Joseph E. Barss, who became Michigan's first coach in 1922 in its first season as a varsity sport. The Colby Award is presented to the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship as voted on by the team. Draper played in 33 games and scored seven goals and added two assists and 183 faceoff victories.
