Joe Blackburn embarks on his second season as the Spartans’ volunteer assistant coach. Besides assisting with all facets of practices and games, Blackburn will also work with the Spartan goaltenders and serve as color commentator on MSU hockey radio broadcasts. Blackburn made 59 appearances between the pipes for the Spartans from 1998-2001 and logged an impressive 36-13-8 career record to go along with a 1.76 career goals against average and a .920 saves percentage. A native of Livonia, Mich., Blackburn backstopped MSU to an NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 1998-99 when he posted a 21-5-7 mark, a .928 saves percentage and a NCAA-best 1.55 goals against average. He was named to the NCAA West All-American first team for his efforts and also received CCHA Best Goaltender and all-league second-team honors. Blackburn earned numerous academic awards during his playing career. He was named to the GTE Academic All-District second team in 1999 and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten and CCHA All-Academic honoree. As a senior, he was co-recipient of MSU hockey’s Blue Line President’s Award, presented to the top scholar-athlete in the senior class. Blackburn was a meber of the United State’s 1999 Junior National Team. He led the U.S. squad at the World Junior Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a 3.03 goals against average and a .909 saves percentage. He sparked the U.S. to a 5-2 upset win over Canada, posting 36 saves against the host team. Born Jan. 26, 1979, Blackburn earned his bachelor’s degree in education and is currently enrolled in MSU’s School of Labor and Industrial Relations. |
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