Hughes Earns B1G Hockey Player of the Year at Michigan

The Big Ten announced its hockey all-conference teams live on March 18 in Rosemont, Ill. Michigan forward T.J. Hughes was named the conference Player of the Year. Hughes’ recognition highlights a strong showing for Michigan players.

Hughes’ season and program records

Hughes led Michigan with 50 points in 36 games. He averaged 1.39 points per contest and scored 19 goals.

He added 31 assists, five power-play goals and three game-winners. Hughes finished +12 with points in 29 games.

His résumé includes a 10-game point streak and 16 multi-point performances. He is a four-time All-Big Ten pick.

In conference history, Hughes holds the scoring mark with 108 league points. He also owns the Big Ten assist record at 64.

Hughes has been especially productive against conference opponents. He totaled 25 points in 19 games versus Penn State.

Other Michigan honorees

Sophomore Michael Hage earned second-team All-Big Ten honors. He matched Hughes with 50 points in 36 games.

Hage recorded 37 assists and added 13 goals. He was a 2024 first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens.

Freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic made the second team and the All-Freshman Team. He posted a 22-7-1 record with three shutouts.

Ivankovic had 25 quality starts, a .924 save percentage and a 2.11 goals-against average. He opened his career with a 7-0 start.

Senior defenseman Tyler Duke earned second-team recognition. Sportlogiq metrics showed Duke led Big Ten defensemen in expected goal differential at five-on-five.

Duke contributed 17 points and 48 blocked shots. He also ranked among league leaders in on-ice defensive measures and logged significant minutes.

Senior forward Josh Eernisse received the conference Sportsmanship Award. He totaled 18 points with 10 goals and eight assists.

Eernisse ranked second nationally with three short-handed goals. He is active in multiple campus leadership and community initiatives.

International and postseason notes

Hage earned World Junior all-star honors while helping Team Canada win gold. Ivankovic won a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship.

Ivankovic was named national Goaltender of the Month in December. He missed five conference games after a mid-January injury.

Conference teams and individual awards

The coaches and media panel selected the All-Big Ten teams. Several Michigan players featured among the league honorees.

• First Team highlights: T.J. Hughes (Michigan), Porter Martone (Michigan State), Charlie Stramel (Michigan State).
• Second Team highlights: Michael Hage (Michigan), Gavin McKenna (Penn State), Tyler Duke (Michigan), Jack Ivankovic (Michigan).
• All-Freshman Team included Jack Ivankovic and Porter Martone.

Hughes becomes the third Wolverine to win the conference top honor. He joins Kyle Connor (2016) and Gavin Brindley (2024).

This season reinforced Michigan’s presence in Big Ten hockey. Filmogaz.com will follow developments as teams prepare for postseason play.