April 19, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio - First-Team All-American forward Ryan Jones (Sr., Chatham, Ont.) and junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff (Chesterfield, Mich.) are co-Most Valuable Players of the 2007-08 Miami University ice hockey team. The announcement was made at the RedHawks' annual banuet, held Saturday evening at Miami's Shriver Center.

Zatkoff, who recently signed a contract with the Los Angeles Kings organization, posted a 27-8-1 record in 2007-08. He had three shutouts. His 1.72 goals-against average and .933 saves percentage both ranked first in the CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) and second nationally. His 27 wins were second in the CCHA and tied for second in the nation.

Jones, who currently plays for the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League, captained the RedHawks to a school-record 33 victories during the 2007-08 campaign. He finished the season with 31 goals, giving him 90 for his career and placing him second on the school's all-time scoring list. Jones also finished his collegiate career with 21 game-winning goals, tying him with two other players for the second-most game-winners in Division I history.

In addition to sharing the Gary DeLonge MVP Award, Jones also won Miami's Outstanding Offensive Player Award, the Berry Family Outstanding Senior Award, and shared the team's Scholar-Athlete Award.

Earning laurels as the team's Outstanding Defensive Player was Alec Martinez (Jr., Rochester, Mich.). He was honored last week as a Second-Team All-American and earlier this year as the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman. Martinez had nine goals and 23 assists this past season.

Kevin Roeder (Jr., Glenview, Ill.) won the Blue Line Club Award as the player who best represents Miami University on and off the ice. He had one goal and 12 assists in 2007-08.

Winning Rookie of the Year honors for the RedHawks was Carter Camper (Fr., Rocky River, Ohio). He finished the season as Miami's third-leading scorer with 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points.

Miami's Steve Cady Most Improved Player for 2007-08 was Alexandre Lacombe (Jr., Orleans, Ont.). He played in 34 games this past season, scoring five goals and assisting on five others.

Scholar-Athlete Awards were presented to Nathan Davis (Sr., Rocky River, Ohio), Charlie Effinger (Sr., Belleville, Ill.), Brad Robbins (Sr., West Bloomfield, Mich.) and Jones.

Earlier this week, Effinger also was honored as Miami's Male Spirit Award Winner.

As a team, Coach Rico Blasi's RedHawks finished with a 33-8-1 record, advancing to the Northeast Regional Finals where they lost in overtime to Boston College, the eventual Frozen Four champions.

--MURedHawks.com--