Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Taro Hirose named Big Ten player of the year

 

By @MichaelCaples –

It was already going to be a special day for Taro Hirose.

Just got a little better.

On the day he will make his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings, Hirose was named Big Ten player of the year to conclude his junior season with Michigan State.

Hirose signed with Detroit on March 12 after leading all of college hockey with 50 points in 36 games as a junior for the Spartans.

Check out MiHockey’s feature with Hirose discussing his signing and saying goodbye to MSU

The Calgary, Alberta native recorded 15 goals and 35 assists as part of Michigan State’s KHL line with Patrick Khodorenko and Mitchell Lewandowski.

The trio combined for 121 points this year, after recording 108 in 2017-18.

Hirose was also honored as the Big Ten scoring champion today, as well.