FRESHMAN TRIO NAMED TO ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
March 11, 2003

The CCHA has announced their All-Rookie Team and a trio of U-M freshmen
have made the list.

Forward Jeff Tambellini, defenseman Danny Richmond, and goaltender Al
Montoya were all tabbed to the squad. No other CCHA team had more than one
player named to the team.

Not much more needs to be said of Tambellini that hasn't already been said.
The Canadian Junior 'A' Player of the Year has lived up to his billing and
then some. Tambellini is sixth in the nation with 25 goals and leads the
Wolverines with 38 points.

A four-time CCHA Rookie of the Week, Tambellini will most likely be adding
the award for CCHA Rookie of the Year to his bookshelf in the coming weeks.

Danny Richmond is an interesting choice. He certainly obtains the offensive
skills as shown by leading all CCHA freshmen rearguards in scoring. But
Richmond has struggled finding consistency defensively. While I haven't
been able to watch the team much since my move to Illinois, "He needs to
protect his own end first" is the criticism I read most about him from fans
online.

Still, the potential is definitely there, it's just finding the right
balance between both zones. Perhaps the old phrase "You need to give a
little to to gain a little" best sums it up. He needs to give up a little
of his offensive desires to gain some defensive consistency.

Al Montoya rounds out the Wolverine contingent on the All-Rookie Team. The
youngest player in Division I college hockey, Montoya has started all 36
games for the Wolverines and posted a 24-9-3 record. His 24 victories is
second in the nation and he's second in the CCHA with 18 conference wins.
Rated the second best North American goaltending prospect by the NHL
Central Scouting Bureau, Montoya was an easy pick for the All-Rookie Team.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/