March 18, 2004

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SAINT PAUL, Minn. ­ University of Minnesota-Duluth senior winger Junior Lessard, who shared the Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season scoring title and led a resurgence by the Bulldogs in 2003-04, was named Player of the Year while University of Denver senior winger Connor James earned the Student-Athlete of the Year award to highlight the 2004 Outback Steadkhouse WCHA Awards Ceremony, presented by RBC Financial Group, held today (March 18) at Landmark Center in Saint Paul, Minn. The league awards presentation marks the kickoff of the 2004 Red Baron WCHA Final Five, set for today through Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.

The league's other major awards announced today went to University of Denver defenseman Ryan Caldwell as WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, to University of North Dakota winger Brady Murray as WCHA Rookie of the Year, and to University of Minnesota-Duluth head coach Scott Sandelin as WCHA Coach of the Year.

The 2003-04 WCHA Player of the Year Award, presented by RBC Financial Group, is voted on by coaches, players, sports information directors and media. Lessard, who tied with North Dakota's Brandon Bochenski for the league scoring title with 39 points on 19 goals and 20 assists, was also named to the All-WCHA First Team, was the top goal scorer in WCHA games, and was honored as the conference's offensive player of the week three times (Oct. 13, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1) during the regular season. From St. Joseph deBeauce, Quebec, Lessard had career totals of 69-65=134 in 155 games played through March 17.

The 2003-04 WCHA Student Athlete of the Year Award, presented by RBC Financial Group, went to four-year standout winger Connor James of the University of Denver. One of the top 25 career scorers in Pioneer history with 56 goals, 91 assists and 147 points in 158 games through March 17, James has earned a 3.5 grade-point average in a challenging finance and marketing program at Denver, is a three-time WCHA All-Academic Team honoree, has volunteered his time with the DU Youth Hockey Association and Starlight Children's Foundation, and also visits local schools to promote good grades while participating in sports. This season, James is second in scoring among his Denver teammates with 12 goals, 23 assists and 35 points in 38 games. From Calgary, Alberta, James is an alternate team captain, was the MVP of the 2004 Wells Fargo Denver Cup tournament, was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Dec. 29, and is a draft choice of the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings. The WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year Award is determined from nominations made by the member institutions and each institution then has one final vote. The criteria is as follows: 1. must be a senior student-athlete, i.e. one who is finishing his competition as an eligible player in the WCHA; 2) consistently displays outstanding sportsmanship on and off the ice; 3) is a good student making satisfactory progress toward a degree; and 4) is a good hockey player who has performed consistently as a regular member of the team.

Chosen by the head coaches, the 2003-04 WCHA Defensive Player of the Year Award, presented by RBC Financial Group, went to University of Denver senior blueliner Ryan Caldwell. From Deloraine, Manitoba, Caldwell is the Pioneers' team captain and is one of the top-scoring defensemen in college hockey. He has averaged a minimum of 28 minutes per game, plays on his team's No. 1 power-play unit, and is their primary penalty-killer. He leads Denver in hits with more than 225, has blocked more than 75 shots and owns the second best plus-minus on the team with +12. Through March 17, Caldwell was tied for third in scoring among WCHA defensemen in league games with 12-6=18 in 26 games while his overall scoring totals of 13 goals, 12 assists and 25 points in 38 games were tied for fifth among WCHA blueliners. A New Yorks Islanders' (NHL) draft choice, Caldwell was also named to the All-WCHA Second Team by voters, earned a place on the WCHA All-Academic Team, was the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Feb. 16, and carries an overall GPA of 3.0.

The 2003-04 WCHA Rookie of the Year Award, presented by RBC Financial Group, went to University of North Dakota winger Brady Murray, who was the league's top scoring first-year player in conference games with 16 goals, 15 assists and 31 points, overall with 18-24=42 in 33 games, and also among all Div. 1 first-year players thru March 17. Honored as the WCHA Rookie of the Week on Nov. 3 and as the offensive player of the week on Feb. 23, Murray was also voted on to both the All-WCHA Rookie Team and the All-WCHA Third Team and led all conference players in game-winning goals overall with six. From Brandon, Manitoba, Murray is a draft choice of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.

Honored by voters with the 2003-04 WCHA Coach of the Year Award, presented by RBC Financial Group, was Scott Sandelin, who has led the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to a 25-11-4 (.675) overall record, a No. 4 national ranking, and to a second place finish in the WCHA regular season standings with a 19-7-2 mark and 40 points. A native of Hibbing, Minn., Sandelin guided the resurgent Bulldogs to a school-record 14-game unbeaten streak (13-0-1) in January and February and had his club in the hunt for the MacNaughton Cup heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Sandelin took over the coaching duties at UMD in March of 2000 after serving for six seasons as assistant coach at North Dakota, where he helped the Sioux to two NCAA titles, three MacNaughton Cups, and two WCHA playoff championships.

The 2003-04 WCHA Scoring Champion Award, presented by RBC Financial Group, was shared by Minnesota-Duluth senior winger Junior Lessard (19g,20a) and North Dakota junior winger Brandon Bochenski (16g,23a), who both finished the 28-game WCHA schedule with 39 points. Bochenski is from Blaine, Minn. This marks the fourth time in league history (since 1951), and first time since 1997-98, that two players have shared the scoring title. The others occured in 1977-78 when Wisconsin's Mark Johnson and Mike Eaves both finished with 70 points, in 1996-97 when Colorado College forward Brian Swanson and Minnesota defenseman Mike Crowley both had 42 points, and in 1997-98 when Minnesota forward Reggie Berg and CC's Brian Swanson each had 34 points.

And the 2003-04 WCHA Goaltending Champion Award, presented by RBC Financial Group, went to University of Wisconsin junior Bernd Bruckler, who topped the league's netminders with a 2.11 goals-against average in conference competition.

Named to the 2003-04 All-WCHA First Team, presented by RBC Financial Group, were (statistics are for league games only): Junior Lessard, Sr, F, Minnesota-Duluth (19-20=39); Brandon Bochenski, Jr, F, North Dakota (16-23=39); Zach Parise, So, F, North Dakota (15-19=34); Keith Ballard, Jr, D, Minnesota (8-11=19); Beau Geisler, Sr, D, Minnesota-Duluth (3-12=15); and Bernd Bruckler, Jr, G, Wisconsin (14-6-7, 2.11 GAA, .928 SV%).

Named to the 2003-04 All-WCHA Second Team, presented by RBC Financial Group, were (statistics are for league games only): Chris Conner, So, F, Michigan Tech (17-9=26); Thomas Vanek, So, F, Minnesota (18-16=34); Evan Schwabe, Jr, F, Minnesota-Duluth (11-22=33); Ryan Caldwell, Sr, D, Denver (12-6=18); Matt Jones, Jr, D, North Dakota (6-10=16); and Isaac Reichmuth, So, G, Minnesota-Duluth (17-3-2, 2.49 GAA, .913 SV%).

Named to the 2003-04 All-WCHA Third Team, presented by RBC Financial Group, were (statistics are for league games only): Shane Joseph, Sr, F, Minnesota State (11-16=27); Brady Murray, Fr, F, North Dakota (16-15=31); Gabe Gauthier, So, F, Denver (12-18=30); Mark Stuart, So, D, Colorado College (3-8=11); Ryan Suter, Fr, D, Wisconsin (3-13=16); and Adam Berkhoel, Sr, G, Denver (13-9-4, 2.86 GAA, .907 SV%).

Named to the 2003-04 All-WCHA Rookie Team, presented by RBC Financial Group, were (statistics are for league games only): Brady Murray, F, North Dakota (16-15=31); David Backes, F, Minnesota State (12-10=22); Robbie Earl, F, Wisconsin (13-7=20); Ryan Suter, D, Wisconsin (3-13=16); Matt Carle, D, Denver (4-15=19); and Matt Zaba, G, Colorado College (5-9-2, 2.42 GAA, .910 SV%).

On the four all-league teams, 2003-04 MacNaughton Cup North Dakota led the way with five honorees, Denver Minnesota-Duluth and Wisconsin all had four each, and Colorado College, Minnesota and Minnesota State each had two.

There were five players on this season's all-league teams (first, second or third) who were repeat honorees (first, second or third team) from 2002-03. They were forward Brandon Bochenski (UND), who went from second to first team; forward Zach Parise (UND), who went from third team to first team; defenseman Keith Ballard (UM), who went from second team to first team; forward Thomas Vanek (UM), who made the All-WCHA Second Team for the second straight year; goaltender Isaac Reichmuth (UMD), who went from third team to second team; and forward Shane Joseph (MSU). And four members of last season's (2002-03) All-WCHA Rookie Team ­ Vanek, Parise, Reichmuth and Colorado College defenseman Mark Stuart ­ were members of the first, second or third teams this season.

Voting for the WCHA's annual post-season awards is done by member coaches, players, sports information directors and media. After member head coaches submit nominees from their own teams in each respective category to the league office, the ten member institutions then each receive eight final voting ballots which contain the coaches' nominations. Points for the all-league teams are awarded on a 5 (for a first team vote), 3 (for a second team vote), 1 (for a third team vote) basis. The Defensive Player of the Year is selected by the league's head coaches while the Student-Athlete of the Year is chosen by institutional representatives.

2003-04 All-WCHA First Team

Pos	Name	Team	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Hometown	Pts
F	Junior Lessard	Minnesota-Duluth	6-0	195	Sr	St. Joseph deBeauce, Quebec	379
F	Brandon Bochenski	North Dakota	6-2	195	Jr	Blaine, Minnesota	359
F	Zach Parise	North Dakota	5-11	180	So	Faribault, Minnesota	310
D	Keith Ballard	Minnesota	5-11	208	Jr	Baudette, Minnesota	346
D	Beau Geisler	Minnesota-Duluth	6-0	190	Sr	Coleraine, Minnesota	239
G	Bernd Bruckler	Wisconsin	6-9	190	Jr	Graz, Austria	300

2003-04 All-WCHA Second Team

P	Name	Team	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Hometown	Pts
F	Chris Conner	Michigan Tech	5-7	175	So	Westland, Michigan	262
F	Thomas Vanek	Minnesota	6-2	207	So	Graz, Austria	159
F	Evan Schwabe	Minnesota-Duluth	5-9	155	Jr	Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan	115
D	Ryan Caldwell	Denver	6-3	195	Sr	Deloraine, Manitoba	238
D	Matt Jones	North Dakota	6-0	218	Jr	Lisle, Illinois	111
G	Isaac Reichmuth	Minnesota-Duluth	5-11	175	So	Fruitvale, British Columbia	212

2003-04 All-WCHA Third Team

P	Name	Team	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Hometown	Points
F	Shane Joseph	Minnesota State	5-9	185	Sr	Brooks, Alberta	111
F	Brady Murray	North Dakota	5-9	180	Fr	Brandon, Manitoba	79
F	Gabe Gauthier	Denver	5-9	185	So	Buena Park, California	53
D	Mark Stuart	Colorado College	6-2	212	So	Rochester, Minnesota	102
D	Ryan Suter	Wisconsin	6-1	185	Fr	Madison, Wisconsin	83
G	Adam Berkhoel	Denver	5-11	190	Sr	Woodbury, Minnesota	71

2003-04 All-WCHA Rookie Team

Pos	Name	Team	Hgt	Wgt	Yr	Hometown	Votes
F	Brady Murray	North Dakota	5-9	180	Fr	Brandon, Manitoba	77
F	David Backes	Minnesota State	6-2	200	Fr	Blaine, Minnesota	50
F	Robbie Earl	Wisconsin	5-11	175	Fr	Los Angeles, California	49
D	Ryan Suter	Wisconsin	6-1	185	Fr	Madison, Wisconsin	67
D	Matt Carle	Denver	6-0	190	Fr	Anchorage, Alaska	43
G	Matt Zaba	Colorado College	6-1	170	Fr	Yorkton, Saskatchewan	49

2003-04 All-WCHA Academic Team Announced

73 Student-Athletes Honored for Outstanding Achievement

SAINT PAUL, Minn. ­ A total of seventy-three (73) student-athletes, representing all 10 conference-member institutions, were announced as members of the annual All-WCHA Academic Team today (March 18) at the 2004 Outback Steakhouse WCHA Awards Ceremony, presented by RBC Financial Group. The ceremony was held at Landmark Center in Saint Paul.

In addition to the 73 players named to the league's all-academic team, University of Denver senior forward Connor James was honored as the recipient of the 2003-04 WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year Award, presented by RBC Financial Group.

A total of thirty-four (34) student-athletes were also repeat honorees from last season's (2002-03) All-WCHA Academic Team.

To earn a position on the All-WCHA Academic Team, student-athletes must meet the following criteria: 1) have completed at least one year of residency at present institution prior to the current academic year; 2) have a grade point average of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or may qualify if his overall GPA is at least 3.00 for all terms at his present institution; and 3) have competed in at least one-half of his institution's varsity intercollegiate ice hockey games during the current season (goaltenders must have played at least 33% of his team's minutes during the course of the season to be eligible). The All-WCHA Academic Team was instituted by the conference beginning with the 1984-85 season.

Following, by school, are the members of the 2003-04 All-WCHA Academic Team.

University of Alaska Anchorage
Jim Dahl, Jr, F, Minnetonka, MN; Brent McMann, So, F, Wainwright, AB; Vladimir Novak*, Sr, F, Jihlava, Czech Republic; Ales Parez, So, F, Nymburk, Czech Republic; Kevin Reiter*, Sr, G, Pittsburgh, PA; Dallas Steward*, Sr, F, Chippewa Falls, WI; Martin Stuchlik*, Jr, F, Zlin, Czech Republic.

Colorado College
Trevor Frischmon, So, F, Ham Lake, MN; Reid Goolsby*, Sr, F, Ipswich, MA; Brett Sterling, So, F, Pasadena, CA; Jesse Stokke, So, D, Hermantown, MN; Colin Stuart*, Sr, F, Rochester, MN.

University of Denver
Adam Berkhoel, Sr, G, Woodbury, MN; Max Bull*, Sr, F, Faribault, MN; Ryan Caldwell, Sr, D, Deloraine, MB; Jussi Halme*, Jr, D, Nokia, Finland; Connor James*, Sr, F, Calgary, AB; Matt Laatsch*, Sr, D, Lakeville, MN; Ted O'Leary, So, F, Arvada, CO; Kevin Ulanski*, Jr, F, Madison, WI.

Michigan Tech University
Nick Anderson, So, F, Winthrop Harbor, IL; Justin Brown*, Sr, D, Eagan, MN; Cam Ellsworth*, Jr, G, Leamington, ON; Brett Engelhardt*, Sr, F, Sheboygan, WI; John Hartman*, Jr, F, Faribault, MN; Ryan Markham, Jr, F, Houghton, MI; Phil Pietila, So, F, Iron Mountain, MI; Jon Pittis*, Sr, F, Calgary, AB; B.J. Radovich, So, F, Hermantown, MN; Pekka Saittakari, So, D, Heinola, Finland; Brandon Schwartz, So, F, St. Cloud, MN.

University of Minnesota
P.J. Atherton, So, D, Edina, MN; Keith Ballard*, Jr, D, Baudette, MN; Gino Guyer, So, F, Coleraine, MN; Tyler Hirsch, So, F, Bloomington, MN; Peter Kennedy, So, D, Brookfield, NS; Brett MacKinnon*, Jr, F/D, Wayzata, MN; Garrett Smaagaard*, Jr, F, Eden Prairie, MN; Judd Stevens*, Jr, D, Wayzata, MN.

University of Minnesota-Duluth
Tyler Brosz, Jr, F, Medicine Hat, AB; Steve Czech, So, D, Oakdale, MN; Jay Hardwick*, Sr, D, Warroad, MN; Josh Miskovich, Jr, F, Pengilly, MN; Neil Petruic*, Jr, D, Regina, SK; Evan Schwabe*, Jr, F, Moose Jaw, SK; Luke Stauffacher*, Jr, F, Sun Prairie, WI; Jesse Unklesbay*, Sr, F, Maplewood, MN.

Minnesota State University
Chad Clower, So, F, Kelowna, BC; Jon Hart*, Jr, F, Brooklyn Park, MN; Steven Johns*, Jr, D, Cranbrook, BC; Shane Joseph, Sr, F, Brooks, AB; Ryan McKelvie, So, F, New Brighton, MN; Kyle Nixon*, Jr, G, Kelowna, BC; Dana Sorensen, Sr, F, Beaumont, AB.

University of North Dakota
Brian Canady, Jr, F, Kenai, AK; Nick Fuher*, Jr, D, Grand Forks, ND; Quinn Fylling*, Jr, F, Minot, ND; Matt Greene, So, D, Grand Ledge, MI; Ryan Hale*, Sr, F, Colorado Springs, CO; Matt Jones*, Jr, D, Lisle, IL; Lee Marvin, So, D/F, Warroad, MN; Zach Parise, So, F, Faribault, MN.

St. Cloud State University
Adam Coole, Jr, G, Duluth, MN; Billy Hengen, So, F, Eden Prairie, MN; Dave Iannazzo*, Jr, F, Maple Grove, MN; Joe Jensen, So, F, Maple Grove, MN; Ryan LaMere, Sr, D, Bloomington, MN; T.J. McElroy, So, D, Plymouth, MN; Jason Montgomery, So, G, Blaine, WA; Colin Peters, Sr, D, Eden Prairie, MN; Konrad Reeder, So, F, Vanderhoof, BC; Peter Szabo*, Jr, F, Nitra, Slovakia.

University of Wisconsin
Nick Licari, So, F, Duluth, MN.

* repeat honoree

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