As we discussed in the most recent INCH Podcast when evaluating the Hobey Hat Trick finalists, there really was no poor choice among the group of Cam Atkinson, Matt Frattin and Andy Miele. But, we had to make a choice in deciding our INCH National Player of the Year for the 2010-11 season and our choice is Miami’s Andy Miele.

Andy Miele

We recently noted that Miele’s 71-point performance this season stands up to recent college hockey history as the most prolific scoring campaign since Peter Sejna and Chris Kunitz topped that total eight years ago. Miele closed the regular season through the CCHA playoffs with a 17-game scoring streak in which he totaled 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points and helped Miami to its first Mason Cup title. That streak alone would have ranked among the top-50 point scorers nationally for the season.

Miele’s 47 assists led the country and there’s no doubt that he was a beneficiary of playing on one of the nation’s top teams with the likes of 19-goal scorer Carter Camper and with a prominent finisher in sophomore 28-goal scorer Reilly Smith riding alongside on the team’s top line.

Miele was held off of the scoresheet in just six of 39 games this year. That combination of consistency and proficiency makes Andy Miele the INCH National Player of the Year.

His Runner-Up: Matt Frattin, North Dakota

• INCH’s year-end awards are decided upon with input from the editorial staff of InsideCollegeHockey.com and in consultation with coaches and other college hockey followers from across the country.