CCHA announces All-Rookie Team

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced their 2012-13 All-Rookie Team today, with plenty of Michigan connections making the list. Livonia native Riley Barber – a Miami RedHawks forward – was named to the group of forwards, while his former Compuware teammate and current Michigan Wolverine, Rochester native Jacob Trouba, was named to the group of defenseman.

Western Michigan defenseman Kenney Morrison was also selected to the group of seven freshmen players.

Honorable mentions included Michigan forward Boo Nieves, Michigan State forward Matt DeBlouw and Michigan State goaltender Jake Hildebrand.

From the CCHA:

CCHA 2012-13 All-Rookie Team

Riley Barber        Forward                Miami University                              Livonia, Mich.

Mario Lucia         Forward                University of Notre Dame                Plymouth, Minn.

Tyler Morley        Forward                University of Alaska                        Burnaby, B.C.

Jacob Trouba      Defenseman          University of Michigan                     Rochester, Mich.

Matthew Caito     Defenseman          Miami University                              Coto de Caza, Calif.

Kenney Morrison Defenseman          Western Michigan University            Lloydminster, Alta.

Ryan McKay       Goaltender            Miami University                              Palatine, Ill.

Riley Barber, a 19-year-old forward from Livonia, Mich., and Miami University, was the only unanimous selection to the All-Rookie team. Barber was a four-time CCHA Gongshow Rookie of the Week recipient as well as the league’s October and November Gongshow Rookie of the Month. The Washington Capitals draft pick led the CCHA in overall scoring, tallying 15 goals and 36 points. His 21 assists and 36 points were tops in the nation among all rookies. He finished second in conference scoring with a 12-18-30 scoring line.

Jacob Trouba, a 19-year-old defenseman from Rochester, Mich., and the University of Michigan, consistently played in the Wolverines top two defensive pairs. The Winnipeg Jets first-round draft pick led all CCHA defensemen in goals and points, finding the back of the net seven times and potting 18 points. Half of Trouba’s points came with the man advantage, where he scored four times and assisted on five goals.

Kenney Morrison, a 21-year-old defenseman from Lloydminster, Alta., and Western Michigan University, finished in a second-place tie for overall scoring among defenseman with six goals and 17 points. His five power-play goals and 14 power-play points paced all defensemen in the CCHA. Morrison was named CCHA Gongshow Rookie of the Week once.