Justin Schultz Named WCHA DPOTY

The WCHA has just released it's league awards and two Badgers were honored. Sophomore defenseman Justin Schultz was named to the All-WCHA First team and Junior defenseman Jake Gardiner was named to the All-WCHA Second team. Additionally, Schultz was named as the defensive player of the year by league voters. Congratulations to both Justin and Jake.

WCHA Player of the Year-Matt Frattin, North Dakota
WCHA Defensive Player of the Year-Justin Schultz, Wisconsin
WCHA Rookie of the Year-Jason Zucker, Denver
WCHA Coach of the Year-Dean Blais, Nebraska-Omaha
WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year-Chay Genoway, North Dakota

First Team All-WCHA
F-Matt Frattin-North Dakota
F-Mike Connolly-Minnesota Duluth
F-Jack Connolly-Minnesota Duluth
D-Justin Schultz-Wisconsin
D-Chay Genoway-North Dakota
G-Aaron Dell-North Dakota

Second Team All-WCHA
F-Justin Fontaine-Minnesota Duluth
F-Drew Shore-Denver
F-Jason Zucker-Denver
D-Jake Gardiner-Wisconsin
D-Matt Donovan-Denver
G-Kent Patterson-Minnesota

Third Team All-WCHA
F-Jason Gregoire-North Dakota
F-Drew LaBlanc-St. Cloud State
F-Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College
D-Justin Faulk-Minnesota Duluth
D-Kurt Davis-Minnesota State
G-John Faulkner-Nebraska Omaha

WCHA All-Rookie Team
F-JT Brown-Minnesota Duluth
F-Jason Zucker-Denver
F-Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College
D-Justin Faulk-Minnesota Duluth
D-David Makowski-Denver
G-Sam Brittain-Denver

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Chuck's All-WCHA Awards

Official and unofficial ballots are being throw around and it looks like everyone and their mother has an opinion on who should make the all-conference teams.

I obviously do not receive an official vote but I'm going to waste your time anyways with my opinions and sit back and take the bashing from opposing fans about how I need to lay off the crack or take off my rose colored glasses or whatever un-thoughtful burn they can think of.

Obviously with 12 teams in the league this season it continues to get tougher and tougher to select these teams so there are many players that are more than deserving of league awards that won't receive recognition simply because there aren't enough spots. Some apologies immediately go out to Jason Gregoire of North Dakota, Scott Gudmandson of Wisconsin, Matt Read of Bemidji State, and Gabe Guentzel of Colorado College among others.

First Team All-WCHA
F-Mike Connolly-Minnesota Duluth
F-Matt Frattin-North Dakota
F-Jack Connolly-Minnesota Duluth
D-Justin Schultz-Wisconsin
D-Jake Gardiner-Wisconsin
G- Kent Patterson-Minnesota

Second Team All-WCHA
F-Jason Zucker-Denver
F-Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College
F-Drew Shore-Denver
D-Chay Genoway-North Dakota
D-Matt Donnovan-Denver
G-Sam Brittain-Denver

Third Team All-WCHA
F-Drew LaBlanc-St. Cloud State
F-Justin Fontaine-Minnesota Duluth
F-Craig Smith-Wisconsin
D-Eric Olimb-Nebraska-Omaha
D-Kurt Davis-Minnesota State
G-Aaron Dell-North Dakota

All Rookie Team
F-Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College
F-Mark Zengerle-Wisconsin
F-Jason Zucker-Denver
D-Nick Jensen-St. Cloud State
D-Justin Faulk-Minnesota-Duluth
G-Sam Brittain-Denver

WCHA Player of the Year: Matt Frattin-North Dakota
Besides Frattin's numbers speaking for themselves, no player has made more of an impact this season. When you watch a North Dakota game they have many players that stand out but Frattin is the one when your grabbing a post game beer that you think, man...that kid is really good. He was the best player on the best team in the league and won the scoring title. Probably the easiest Player of the Year choice in recent seasons.

WCHA Defenseman of the Year: Justin Schultz-Wisconsin
Wisconsin had Brendan Smith last year but I'm not sure that the league has seen an offensive threat from the blueline like Schultz since maybe Mike Crowley from the Gophers in the 90's. Schultz is the 9th leading scorer in the country, as a defenseman, not an easy task. His 18 goals this season are one away from tying the Wisconsin record for goals by a defensman set by Sean Hill in 1990.

WCHA Rookie of the Year: Jason Zucker-Denver
Zucker has won this award a bit by default. While I don't have a problem including Jaden Schwartz on my all-conference teams despite missing multiple games, I can't give him the rookie of the year, especially when Zucker played as well as he did. Zucker was his best when it mattered, in WCHA games. He finished third in scoring in league games as a freshman, a very tough thing to do as a rookie.

WCHA Coach of the Year: George Gwozdecky
Many are giving this to Blais because Nebraska-Omaha finished third in the league. Well I predicted them to finish fourth so I'm not surprised at all. The only team in the country that lost more talent off it's roster from last season other than Wisconsin was Denver. Losing Rakhshani, Colborne, Ruegsegger, Wiercioch, and WCHA Player of the Year Marc Cheverie off last seasons club, and having to go through the tradgedy of the Jesse Martin indecent and still almost seamlessly finishing second in the WCHA this season is impressive.

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Scott Gudmandson named WCHA Defensive POTW

Red Baron® WCHA
Defensive Player of the Week
Scott Gudmandson - Senior, Goaltender
University of Wisconsin

Press Release from WCHA.Com

Veteran goaltender Scott Gudmandson of the University of Wisconsin, who stopped 71 of 74 shots on goal for a .959 saves percentage and surrendered just two even-strength goals while helping the Badgers to a two-game conference sweep over visiting Minnesota State, has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Jan. 25, 2011.

A 5-10, 185-pound senior from Sherwood Park, Alberta, set a career high last Friday (Jan. 21) for saves in a win with 37, including 16 in the third period, as Wisconsin prevailed 3-2 over the Mavericks at the Kohl Center. One of the two goals he surrendered came on a first period power-play as the Badgers were outshot 39-30 for the game. Then in last Saturday's (Jan. 22) 2-1 UW victory, Gudmandson stopped 34 of 35 Maverick shots, again stopping 16 of 17 shots in the third period. The Badgers were outshot 35-29 for the game and 17-4 in the third period. In addition, Gudmandson also helped Wisconsin hold MSU to one power-play goal in nine opportunities.

Through 21 games and 1223:55 minutes played this season, Gudmandson leads all WCHA goaltenders with a 1.76 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in all games, ranking second and fourth in the nation, respectively. In league games, his 1.94 GAA is second while his .933 save percentage is first. He also boasts four shutouts on the year.

Also nominated: Michael Boivin, D, CC; Sam Brittain, G, DU; Ben Blood, D, UND; Mike Lee, G, SCSU.

2010-2011 Wisconsin WCHA Weekly Awards
-Mark Zengerle-Rookie of the week-November 9
-Jake Gardiner-Offensive POTW-November 30
-Justin Schultz-Defensive POTW-Novemeber 30
-Craig Smith-Offensive POTW-January 11
-Scott Gudmandson-Defensive POTW-January 25

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Craig Smith named WCHA Offensive POTW

Red Baron® WCHA
Offensive Player of the Week

Craig Smith - Sophomore, Forward
University of Wisconsin

Press Release from WCHA.com

University of Wisconsin center iceman Craig Smith, who led all league players with three goals and six points while helping the host Badgers to a two-game sweep over Canisius last weekend, has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for Jan. 11, 2011.

A 6-0, 196-pound sophomore from Madison, Wis., Smith posted six points, six shots on goal and was a +3 in the two wins vs Canisius, including a team season-high four points in last Saturday's (Jan. 8) 6-5 (ot) victory. In the series opener Friday (Jan. 7), Smith scored UW's second goal in a 3-0 victory at 9:43 of the third period. He then assisted on UW's final goal late in the third to seal the victory and finished with two shots and a +2 rating. Last Saturday, Smith tallied two goals and added two assists for four points to pace the Badgers to their seventh straight win. He scored his 12th of the season in highlight-reel fashion, stick-handling down the slot around three Canisius players to put UW up 3-0 just shy of the midpoint of the second. Then with his team trailing 5-4 with less than 4:00 remaining in the third, Smith scored to tie the game at 16:26 to force overtime and then assisted on the game-winner in the extra session.

A draftee of the NHL's Nashville Predators, Smith's six-point weekend elevated him into the Wisconsin scoring lead with 31 points. His 13 goals are tied for the team lead.

Also nominated this week: Matt Read, F, BSU; Corban Knight, F, UND; Drew LeBlanc, F, SCSU

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WCHA First Half Award Show

With all but two (SCSU and Tech) teams of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association teams done with the first half of their conference schedule, it's time to assess the first 14 games and give out some awards.

As always there are some surprises, and some things that shocked no one. The talk of the WCHA's first half is the play (or lack there of), of St. Cloud State in the first half of the season. Projected to finish in the top 3 in the conference by virtually everyone who follow the WCHA, St. Cloud has been a major disappointment sitting in 11th place in the WCHA at the half way mark. Garrett Roe looks lost out there with the departure of former line mate and SCSU all time point leader Ryan Lasch. Neither Mike Lee, nor Dan Dunn has gotten the job done in the net through the first half of the year.

One of those things that shocked no one has been the play of North Dakota through 14 games. I anointed the Fighting Sioux as my pre-season favorite for the National Championship immediately after last season ended if they were able to bring back the bulk of their roster which they were. Matt Frattin is playing like a Hobey Baker candidate this season with 17 total goals. The only surprise so far for the Sioux has been in goal where Brad Eidsness, the starter the past two seasons has been atrocious and Sophomore Aaron Dell has taken over the starting job. It's going to be an up hill battle, but Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, and Nebraska-Omaha are all within striking distance of North Dakota for the MacNaughton Cup.

First Half All-WCHA Team

First Team
F-Matt Frattin-North Dakota (Sr)
F-Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College (Fr)
F-Jack Connolly-Minnesota-Duluth (Jr)
D-Justin Schultz-Wisconsin (So)
D-Chay Genoway-North Dakota (Sr)
G-Scott Gudmandson-Wisconsin (Sr)

Second Team
F-Drew Shore-Denver (So)
F-Mark Zengerle-Wisconsin (Fr)
F-Justin Fontaine-Minnesota-Duluth (Sr)
D-Matt Donovan-Denver (So)
D-Kurt Davis-Minnesota State (Sr)
G-Sam Brittain-Denver (Fr)

Third Team
F-Jason Zucker-Denver (Fr)
F-Craig Smith-Wisconsin (So)
F-Matt Read-Bemidji State (Sr)
D-Justin Faulk-Minnesota-Duluth (Fr)
D-Jake Gardiner-Wisconsin (Jr)
G-Kent Patterson-Minnesota (Jr)

All-Rookie Team
F-Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College
F-Mark Zengerle-Wisconsin
F-Jason Zucker-Denver
D-Justin Faulk-Minnesota-Duluth
D-Nick Jensen-St. Cloud State
G-Sam Brittain-Denver

First Half WCHA Player of the Year: Matt Frattin (North Dakota)
First Half WCHA Rookie of the Year: Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College)

Brief first half thoughts on each team:

1. North Dakota
I've already provided some thoughts on UND so this will be short but they have lived up to the expectations so far which is something new for Dave Hakstol. Usually his UND teams start slow and pick up momentum, for their sake, I hope they haven't peaked too early. But let's be honest, this team is loaded, they will be at the top throughout the second half. Projected finish (1).

2. Denver (tie)
I'm not sure I would say I'm shocked that Denver is in second place at the break but I wouldn't have been shocked to see them in 7th either. There is a ton of parity in the WCHA this season and Denver is right there. They've gotten great production out of their outstanding freshman class. Sam Brittain is playing all world in goal and Jason Zucker has been better than advertised up front. Drew Shore is having a magical sophomore season and you know Denver is playing their hearts out for their buddy Jesse Martin who was seriously injured earlier in the season. Projected finish (3).

2. Minnesota-Duluth (tie)
Duluth has played as well as they could have in the first half of the season. Most expected them to be good, I'm not sure many expected them to be this good. They boast the second best line in the country with Connolly, Connolly, and Fontaine and they have played outstanding so far. Freshman defenseman Justin Faulk has been playing at a level that won't keep him in northern Minnesota very long. Their only real question mark is in goal where Kenny Reiter and Aaron Crandall have been alright but not fantastic. Projected finish (2).

4. Nebraska-Omaha
I picked UNO to finish fourth in my pre-season poll so I'm not surprised they are in this spot right now. I think they might have surprised some teams in the first half being new to the league and teams might have taken them for granted. The Mavericks don't have any standout players (as evidenced by having none on the All-WCHA team) but they have been playing great hockey for Dean Blais. Junior John Faulkner has been great in goal and is probably their first half MVP so far. Projected finish (4).

5. Colorado College
Raise your hand if you had CC getting home ice for the WCHA playoffs? ...I don't see many. Scott Owens has his club exceeding expectations at this point and rookie Jaden Schwartz has been as good as advertised. Joe Howe has been a mainstay in the nets for the Tigers and they are getting production up and down the lineup. Jaden's older brother Rylan is also having a big season. I'm not sure the Tigers can keep this pace in the second half but they are a team to watch. Projected Finish (7).

6. Wisconsin (tie)
Right on the edge of home ice is exactly where I projected the Badgers to be this season. Their young squad has looked phenomenal at times and lost at others. The roller coaster ride can drive one crazy at times but also makes you giddy at the potential of this roster. Scott Gudmandson has been great in goal and their top line of Jordy Murray, Craig Smith, and Mark Zengerle has been outstanding. Justin Schultz and Jake Gardiner are playing great hockey from the blue line as well. Projected Finish (5).

6. Minnesota (tie)
No one has doubted the talent on the Minnesota roster because in that department they are second to none. But as usual, Don Lucia hasn't been able to mold that talent in to a consistent winner. If this team doesn't finish in the top half of the WCHA this season you have to assume that this could be it for the Don in dinkytown. Kent Patterson has been the savior of the season so far for the Gophers. As he goes, so do the Gophers. Projected finish (6).

8. Alaska-Anchorage
Lots of Badger fans gasped when UW lost on Friday night up in Anchorage. But this isn't your fathers Seawolves team. Shiak has this team playing above expectations and this squad believes they can win every time they hit the ice. They have infused some young talent into this squad and Tommy Grant is having a solid season up at the North Pole. Projected finish (9).

9. Minnesota State
I've caught Minnesota State on TV a few times this season and they have a nice squad this year. Kurt Davis and Ben Youds are two of the best defensmen in the league and Phil Cooke has stood on his head at times this season to steal some games for the Mavericks. I'm not sure this squad has enough talent to make a legitimate run at home ice but they have the ability to upset any team in the league. Projected finish (8).

10. Bemidji State
I think Badger fans got a good view of what Bemidji brings to the table last weekend. They certainly have the ability to win games in this league but they don't have the depth on the roster to be a realistic player this season. Matt Read and Jordan George are great but they aren't getting much help. They are going to start recruiting a higher level of talent now that they are in the best league in the country and that should help in future years. Projected finish (11).

11. St. Cloud State
What can I say? They have been the disappointment of the league so far this season. Besides Drew LeBlanc no one is putting any points up on the board. Both goalies look disinterested and besides Nick Jensen on the blueline, everyone else is playing O'lay hockey. Bob Motzko has his work cut out for him in the second half to dig them out of this hole and I'm not confident they can move up much more than where they are at. Projected finish (10).

12. Michigan Tech
Yikes, these guys are just bad. I hate to be that blunt but they are playing awful. I have a tough time seeing Jamie Russell keeping his job after this season. 1 win and 1 tie in 12 conference games is unacceptable no matter what program you're in. Projected finish (12).

Gardiner, Schultz honored by WCHA

Press Release from WCHA.com

Red Baron® WCHA
Defensive Player of the Week
Justin Schultz - Sophomore, Defenseman
University of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin defenseman Justin Schultz, who contributed five points and earned a +3 plus/minus rating while helping the host Badgers to a win and tie in the College Hockey Showcase last weekend, is the Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 30, 2010.

A 6-3,185-pounder from West Kelowna, B.C., Schultz's five-point series included a three-goal hat trick and nine shots on goal.The Anaheim Ducks' (NHL) draftee opened the weekend with a goal and an assist last Friday as the Badgers overcame 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 deficits for a 4-4 tie against then-No. 8 Michigan. Schultz scored Wisconsin's first goal of the game on a power-play to make it a 2-1 game. He then had the primary assist on UW's third goal, which made it 3-3 at the time. Then on Saturday, Schultz became just the fifth UW defenseman and the first in exactly 18 years to post a hat trick, scoring the first, third and fourth Badger goals in a 4-1 victory over Michigan State. He also fired a game-high eight shots on goal and finished +2 in the game. Schultz leads the nation's defensemen with 19 points and has nine goals on the season, four more than the next closest defenseman in the country.

Also nominated: Dan Bakala, G, BSU; David Makowski, D, DU; Alex Kangas, G, UM; Aaron Dell, G, UND.

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Red Baron® WCHA
Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Jake Gardiner - Junior, Defenseman, Wisconsin
Drew Shore - Sophomore, Forward, Denver

A pair of six-point producers – defenseman Jake Gardiner of the University of Wisconsin and forward Drew Shore of the University of Denver – have been tabbed Red Baron® WCHA co-Offensive Players of the Week for Nov. 30, 2010.

Gardiner, a 6-3, 193-pound junior from Minnetonka, Minn., and a draft choice of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, collected six points as Wisconsin logged a 4-4 (ot) tie against Michigan and 4-1 victory over Michigan State in the College Hockey Showcase last weekend in Madison. He scored two power-play goals, including the game-tying goal in the third period, added an assist, recorded a game-high five shots on goal and was +1 against then-No. 8 Michigan last Friday. Last Saturday, Gardiner came back with three assists and four shots on goal while earning a +2 rating in the victory over the visiting Spartans. Gardiner, who now has a five-game scoring streak with nine points (2g, 7a), ranks second in the nation in scoring among defensemen with 18 points (4g, 14a), trailing only blueline partner Justin Schultz.

Shore, a 6-3, 190-pound sophomore from Denver, Colo., and draftee of the Florida Panthers (NHL), was named the MVP of the Denver Cup Classic tournament over Thanksgiving weekend after leading the Pioneers to their second straight Denver Cup title and 15th overall. He led the tourney with six points on four goals and two assists, including his first collegiate three-goal hat trick and a career-best four points in a 6-3 win over Lake Superior State on Nov. 26. Shore then added the game-winning goal and another assist in the championship game on Nov. 27 as Denver clinched a 3-1 win over Air Force. In addition to his six points in the two games, Shore had 10 hits, two blocked shots and a +1 rating. He currently has a four-game point streak, has at least one point in nine of the last 10 games and is tied for first in the WCHA in scoring overall with a career-best 22 points (12g, 10a).

Also nominated: Matt Bailey, F, UAA; Emil Billberg, F, BSU; Justin Jokinen, F, MSU; Jason Gregoire, F, UND.

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Zengerle named WCHA Freshman of the week

Red Baron® WCHA
Rookie of the Week
Mark Zengerle - Fr., F
University of Wisconsin

Press Release from WCHA.com

University of Wisconsin winger Mark Zengerle, who led all first-year players with six scoring points last weekend as the Badgers took three points from host Minnesota, has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Rookie of the Week for Nov. 9, 2010. He was the No. 1 star on Nov. 5 and the No. 2 star on Nov. 6.

A 5-11, 178-pound freshman from Rochester, N.Y., Zengerle posted his four and fifth multiple-point games of the season with a pair of three-point outings to help the visiting Badgers to a 6-0 victory and 3-3 (ot) tie over the Golden Gophers. Zengerle, who shares the WCHA lead with 16 points, scored a power-play goal and had two assists in the shutout win last Friday. Then on Saturday, Zengerle had a hand in each UW goal in a 3-3 come-from-behind tie, posted two assists on the power-play and a primary assist on the game-tying goal with under 3:00 remaining.

In addition to sharing the WCHA lead in scoring, the undrafted free agent also leads the league with 13 assists and 11 power-play points in all games. He has points in eight of 10 games, including his first six.

Also nominated: Sam Rendle, D, BSU; Jaden Schwartz, F, CC; Jason Zucker, F, DU; Johnnie Searfoss, F, UNO; Brock Nelson, F, UND.

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Badgers win WCHA Honors

WCHA awards were announced today, and 7 Badger players received honors, as did head coach Mark Johnson. Most notably, Hilary Knight was named WCHA Player of the Year! Hilary, she's the bomb. (You'll notice that Jessie Vetter did not win goaltender of the year; that honor went to freshman Alyssa Grogan from minnesota.)

Hilary Knight - Player of the Year, 1st-Team All-WCHA
Jessie Vetter - 1st-Team All-WCHA
Erika Lawler - 2nd-Team All-WCHA
Meghan Duggan - 3rd-Team All-WCHA
Alycia Matthews - 3rd-Team All-WCHA
Brooke Ammerman - 3rd-Team All-WCHA, All-Rookie Team
Brittany Haverstock - All-Rookie Team
Mark Johnson - WCHA Co-Coach of the Year (with minnesota's Brad Frost)

Congratulations, Badgers!

9 Badgers also were named to the WCHA All-Academic team: Rachel Bible, Mallory Deluce, Meghan Duggan, Maria Evans, Kayla Hagen, Angie Keseley, Erika Lawler, Alycia Matthews, and Jessie Vetter.

Nice work, ladies!

Here are the uwbadgers.com and wcha.com releases and a blurb in the WSJ. Also, one of the Fitchburg, MA papers had a nice feature on Erika Lawler.

Ya know, I'm not sure if I posted this yet, so I'm going to go ahead and post it here -- current Badger Jessie Vetter and past Badger players Molly Engstrom and Sara Bauer were named Top-10 players from the 1st 10 years of the Women's WCHA. Here are the uwbadgers.com and wcha.com releases.

Just a reminder that Vetter, Knight, and Lawler are all top-1o finalists for the Patty Kaz. The top-3 finalists will be named on March 10.