FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- For the first time in his young career, Western Michigan's J.J. Crew has been named Central Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Week for his play in WMU's sweep of Mercyhurst.

Crew, a sophomore, netted a career-high three goals, including the game-winner, in Friday's 5-1 win over the Lakers. He became the first Bronco to net a hat-trick since former CCHA Rookie of the Year Mark Letestu accomplished the feat on Oct. 28, 2006 at Nebraska-Omaha. On Saturday Crew assisted on two key goals that helped the Broncos erase a 2-0 deficit and then tallied the game-winner at 11:45 in the third period. In all, the Placentia, Calif., native scored four goals and two assists for six points on the weekend.

“It is a great honor,” said Crew. “I was very fortunate and I'm glad the team was able to come out with two wins on the weekend.”

Crew, a former member of the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, played on a line with fellow sophomore Greg Squires and junior centerman Max Campbell. The line scored six goals of WMU's nine goals and tallied nine assists on the weekend. At left wing, Crew is manning the position that as filled by departed senior and last year's CCHA Scoring Champion Patrick Galivan.

“Greg and Max were a big help to our success on the weekend,” added Crew. “Greg has great vision on the ice and was able to set me up on most of my goals and Max did a great job on the defensive end starting transition and was able to finish on the offensive end on Saturday.”

This is the second weekly honors that Crew has been awarded in his career. Last season he was named CCHA Rookie of the Week for his play in a series against Ferris State in which he led the Broncos to a 2-1 win over the Bulldogs.

Western Michigan continues non-conference road play at Alabama-Huntsville on Friday and Saturday at 8:05 p.m.