University of Massachusets Athletics
Two UMass Hockey Players Earn Hockey East Awards
February 29, 2000 | Hockey
Feb. 29, 2000
AMHERST, Mass. - Junior Markus Helanen (Vantaa, Finland) was named Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday for his weekend performances in a split with No. 5 Boston College.
Helanen made 35 saves in a 5-1 upset of Boston College on Saturday night in Boston. The crucial win propelled the Minutemen into sole possession of the eighth and final playoff spot with two games remaining in Hockey East action. Helanen also made 33 saves on Friday night at the Mullins Center in a 2-0 loss to the Eagles. Helanen and the defense successfully spoiled all 13 power play opportunities for the Eagles in the two-game split. It is the first time this season that a UMass player has received the honor.
Helanen is second in the league with 665 saves and moved into second place on the UMass all-time saves chart on Feb. 4 vs. BU. He now has 1,698 saves in his three-year career at UMass.
Freshman Tim Turner (Saginaw, Mich.) received the Rookie of the Month for his play in February. The forward scored two goals and six assists for eight points in the Minutemen's six games during the month, including three assists on Saturday night in the 5-1 upset of Boston College. Turner is tied with senior Jeff Blanchard (Stoufville, Ont.) for second on the team in scoring with 24 points and leads the team with 19 assists this season. Turner is also second in scoring among rookies in Hockey East, one point behind Merrimack's Anthony Aquino.
Turner has come on strong for the Minutemen down the stretch run, scoring 14 points in the last 12 games. Turner is UMass' most prolific freshman scorer since UMass joined Hockey East in 1994. His 24 points this year exceeds the previous record of 16 set two years ago by junior Kris Wallis (Agassiz, B.C.).
