WCHA Awards

Player of the year – Jack Connolly, Minnesota – Duluth

I briefly considered going with Justin Schultz here, but Connolly has done it all for Duluth: he scores goals (16, tied for 6th), passes (27 assists, 1st), plays well in his own zone and has adapted to two new linemates this year after Justin Fontaine and Mike Connolly left. He probably wouldn’t get my Hobey vote (and, ironically, I might vote Schultz higher than him) but he has been the best player in league play in the WCHA this year.

Coach of the year – Dave Hakstol, North Dakota

Hakstol had to play 17 guys on a number of occasions this year, as well as dealing with a myriad of injuries, most notably to Rocco Grimaldi who only played a handful of games. Despite this UND went from 11th to 4th in the WCHA and went on their usual post Christmas run, going 11-4-2 after Christmas.

1st team

F – Connolly

F – Jason Zucker, Denver

F – Brock Nelson, North Dakota

D – Ben Blood, North Dakota

D – Justin Schultz, Wisconsin

G – Kent Patterson, Minnesota

2nd team

F – Travis Oleksuk, Minnesota-Duluth

F – Nick Bjugstad, Minnesota

F – Drew Shore, Denver

D – Joey LaLeggia, Denver

D – Nate Schmidt, Minnesota

G – Josh Thorimbert, Colorado College

3rd team

F – JT Brown, Minnesota-Duluth

F – Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College

F – Ben Hanowski, St. Cloud State

D – Brad Hunt, Bemidji State

D – Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State

G – Dan Bakala, Bemidji State