ALBANY, NY – All-ECAC Hockey First Team selection and Union College men's ice hockey senior Mike Schreiber was named a finalist for the ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman Award, the league announced Wednesday. Schreiber joins Cornell's Justin Krueger and St. Lawrence's Derek Keller as the nominees.

 

Schreiber's 28 points this season are the most by a Union defenseman ever, while his 20 assists are tied with Reid Simonton's total during the 1993-94 season. Schreiber is only one goal away from tying Brendan Milnamow (2008-09) for most goals by a defenseman in a season of nine.

 

Union's defense has held its opponents to two or fewer goals 15 times this season, placing the team 15th in the country with a 2.68 goals-against average. The Dutchmen, who have outscored opponents 124-91, have held the competition to less than 30 shots 23 times, including six games with less than 20 shots. Entering the weekend, the defense has posted a plus-67 rating with Schreiber (+23) leading the way.

 

Seventeenth-ranked and third-seeded Union welcomes seventh-seeded Quinnipiac to Messa Rink on Friday (Mar. 12), Saturday (Mar. 13) and – if necessary – Sunday (Mar. 14). All games are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.