2011-12 All-WCHA Ballot

The regular season is now in the books, and the WCHA bloggers have opted to supplement the annual preseason blogger poll with the First Annual Blogger All-WCHA Poll. Look for the full results of the poll to be posted by Friday morning. In the interest of full disclosure, you will find my completed ballot below, with brief commentary. In a league as talented as the WCHA,  it's never easy to come up with a "shortlist" of the year's top performers, so feel free to voice your disapproval/approval/suggestions via the comments:

All-WCHA First Team

F – Jack Connolly, UMD - Fantastic season for the senior Bulldog, could nab the Hobey.

F – Jaden Schwartz, CC - Dominant puck possession and passing skills, a treat to watch.

F – JT Brown, UMD - Speedy, quick, edgy. Love his game.

D – Justin Schultz, UW -  The dominant offensive defenseman had a remarkable season.

D – Ben Blood, UND - Tough as nails workhorse, became significant offensive factor.

G – Kent Patterson, UM - Historic year for the Gopher goalie, seemed to win games all on his own.

All-WCHA Second Team

F – Jason Zucker, DU - Love his motor, speed, and shot.

F – Brock Nelson, UND - Pure sniper with incredible hands and instincts.

F – Danny Kristo, UND - Displayed the ability to take over games, much improved defensively.

D – Joey LaLeggia, DU - Incredible freshman blue liner had a season for the ages.

D – Nate Schmidt, UM - Sophomore took a big step this season, clutch performer.

G – Josh Thorimbert, CC - Took over CC's #1 goalkeeper job and ran with it.

All-WCHA Third Team

F – Nick Bjugstad, UM - Big forward had a phenomenal season. Can't believe he's only third team.

F – Mark Zengerle, UW - As Schultz & Zengerle go, so goes UW. Can't believe he's only third team.

F – Drew Shore, DU - Wonderful all-around forward. Can't believe he's only third team.

D – Scott Kishel, UMD - Underrated d-man had a breakout year for UMD.

D – Nick Jensen, SCSU - Smooth & steady, helped keep injury ravaged Huskies in it.

G – Dan Bakala, BSU - Steady presence in the crease for the Beavers.

All-WCHA Rookie Team

F – Kyle Rau, UM - The UM freshman has a knack for the big goal.

F – JP LaFontaine, MSU - Dynamic force for the young Mavericks.

F – Caleb Herbert, UMD - Was a big factor for the Bulldogs from the get-go.

D – Joey LaLeggia, DU - See All-WCHA Second Team

D – Andrew Prochno, SCSU - Very nice freshman season for the poised Husky.

G – Juho Olkinuora, DU - With Sam Brittain out for most of the year, the Fin stood tall for Denver.

WCHA Player of the Year – Jack Connolly, UMD - Flip a coin between Connolly and Schultz? Can't go wrong either way, really, but my vote goes to Jack as team success gives him the ever-so narrow edge.

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year – Justin Schultz, UW - Brilliant year for the Wisco blue liner. No brainer pick.

WCHA Rookie of the Year – Joey LaLeggia, DU - Tough call between LaLeggia and Rau, but what LaLeggia has done as a freshman defender is truly special.

WCHA Coach of the Year – Dave Hakstol, UND - Hakstol and his staff took a young, raw, injury riddled team and built it into a unit as good as any in the league by the year's end. Bob Motzko, Don Lucia, Mel Pearson, and Scott Sandelin also deserve credit for great coaching jobs this season.