April 17, 2008

Farmington Hills, Mich. - The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that senior forward Kevin Porter of Michigan, who made his pro debut last night with San Antonio of the AHL in the Calder Cup playoffs, has been named the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month for March/April. This is the third time this season (November and February) that he has earned this award.

Porter, a 22-year-old from Northville, Mich., received the Hobey Baker Memorial Award last week as college hockey's top player in 2007-08. In his final season at Michigan, Porter finished second in the country in goals (33) and points (63). Furthermore, as U-M's captain he led the Maize and Blue to the NCAA Frozen Four, CCHA regular-season and postseason championships and the 2007 Great Lakes Invitational title.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound forward, who signed an entry-level NHL contract with Phoenix this past Monday, produced seven goals and 10 points for the Wolverines in eight games during March and April. The CCHA Player of the Year was named the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Tournament's East Regional in Albany, N.Y., where he scored four goals in a 5-1 victory over Niagara before adding another goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Clarkson that advanced Michigan to the Frozen Four in Denver.

Special mention for RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month honors goes to Miami junior defenseman Alec Martinez, Michigan State junior forward Justin Abdelkader, Northern Michigan freshman forward Mark Olver and Notre Dame senior forward Mark Van Guilder.

2007-08 RBC Financial Group Players of the Month

March/April - Kevin Porter, SR, F, University of Michigan

February - Kevin Porter, SR, F, University of Michigan

January - Jeff Lerg, JR, G, Michigan State University

December - Billy Sauer, JR, G, University of Michigan

November - Kevin Porter, SR, F, University of Michigan

October - Justin Mercier, JR, F, Miami University