Change in seasons

EAST LANSING - College hockey does not have an award for comeback player of the year.

If it did, Michigan State junior right wing Corey Tropp would be almost a lock to win it.

A year ago, Tropp had one of the worst seasons imaginable.

He contracted mononucleosis in the first month, played on a poor, often non-competitive team that had little chemistry and won just 10 games, and got suspended for the final 12 games for a slashing incident with a Michigan player in mid-January.

This season, Tropp is the Spartans' top scorer, a key leader as an assistant captain, and developed into one of the best forwards in the nation.

"It's probably been the most fun I've had in hockey,'' Tropp said. "We're winning as a team and the chemistry is great. We brought in a great group of guys as freshmen.''

Already, there's talk about Tropp, a 6-foot, 185-pound forward from Grosse Pointe Woods, getting strong consideration for several awards - All-CCHA and NCAA West All-America teams, and even as a Hobey Baker candidate as the most outstanding player in college hockey.

"If you would have mentioned all those things at the start of the season, I would have laughed,'' Tropp said. "I think I came into the season with the right mindset. I was happy to be back on the ice, I was in good shape and ready to go.''

From the drop of the first puck, Tropp has been an offensive force for the No. 12/13 ranked Spartans (16-8-4 overall, 11-5-4-1 CCHA), who open a two-game series against No. 20 Michigan (14-11-1, 9-8-1-0) at 7 tonight at Munn Arena.

Tropp scored five goals and had six assists in MSU's first six games. He's MSU's tops scorer with 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 28 games, and tied for third nationally in goals and points.

Tropp has two hat tricks - against Maine in October and Bowling Green in December - and has picked up at least one point in 21 of MSU's 28 games.

"He's one of the best offensive zone players in the country. He competes so hard,'' Spartans coach Rick Comley said. "He's strong, he battles for the puck and takes hits. It's about growth, maturity and confidence.''

Low point

It's also about getting a second chance and making the best of it.

When Tropp was suspended by MSU for his slashes to the head of Michigan defenseman Steve Kampfer, there was no guarantee that he would be reinstated in the program.

Depsite the fact that Tropp's actions were out of character, he had to win back the trust of his coach by being a good student and good citizen while he was away from the team.

And for four months, he did just that. Then he was reinstated and rejoined the team for spring and summer workouts and immediately dedicated himself to becoming a better player.

"I learned a lot about myself. I learned what to do to get through tough times,'' Tropp said. "The toughest part was not being able to be part of the team. But I talked to a lot of people and they said to just be a regular student and do what I had to do to get back.

Tropp said he had great support from his parents, friends, current teammates, some players from the 2007-2008 team and coaches and staff from his junior team - the Sioux Falls Stampede of the U.S. Hockey League.

"I had to show the coaches and athletic staff here that I wasn't a troublemaker. It was a mistake and I just wanted to show people who I really was a player and person,'' Tropp said.

Comley said Tropp did everything he asked and handled the situation very well.

"He had to show that he learned from it,'' Comley said. "He's a better person now. He's grown up and has positive results to show for it.''

Ed Tropp, Corey's father, said and his wife, Linda, are proud of the way their son dealt with his mistake and suspension.

"He struggled and it was hard, but he was determined to get back on track and make this a better season,'' Ed Tropp said. "He wanted to let people know that he wasn't that type of player.

"He went through adversity, but he's put it in the past. He's fortunate that MSU brought in such a good freshmen class and now he's on a team with a good group of guys.

"To hear people talk about Corey, along with Jeff Petry and Drew Palmisano, as a possible all-stars or All-America or Hobey Baker candidates is pretty cool.''

Corey Tropp thinks so, too, but his focus is making sure individual success leads to more victories for the team.

"Our goal is to win as a team. We want to win championships not individual awards,'' he said. "I think a lot of my success is due to my linemates - (senior) Nick Sucharski and (freshman) Derek Grant - and the chemistry we've developed.

"And I give credit to other teammates, too, because we're better team. More guys are scoring goals and putting up points.''

MSU junior left wing Andrew Rowe said he had no doubt that Tropp, his roommate, along with fellow-junior forward Dustin Gazley, would rebound from last year.

"He focused on what had to be done for team to be successful and he's been a good leader,'' Rowe said. "Corey's really skilled. When he controls the puck, something always seems to happen positively.

"What happened last season made him stronger. It gave him some fire when people doubted him as a player.''

There's no doubting Tropp now. With eight regular-season games remaining, Tropp and the Spartans are aiming to stay on track for a NCAA Tournament berth and the opportunity to make it to the Frozen Four at Ford Field in Detroit.

"As a freshman, playing in the NCAA (Regional) in Colorado Springs and beating Colorado College was one of my best experiences in hockey,'' he said. "Hopefully, we can back and do even better.''