The NCHA has announced its award winners for the 2007-08 season,
and the Yellowjacikets are
one of just two teams (St. Scholastica is the other) not to land
anyone on the All-NCHA team. It marks the first time since
the 1986-87 season that the 'Jackets haven't had at least one
player named to the team.
Five players received honorable mention votes - goaltender
Chad Beiswenger (Jr. Moorhead,
Minnesota), defensemen
Brian Bina (So. Grand Forks, North Dakota)
and Derek Paige (Sr. Logan
Lake, British Columbia) and forwards
Rob Turville (Jr. Olds, Alberta)
and Kevin Huck (Jr. Rochester,
Minnesota). Paige was a member of the team
in 2006-07.
"It's not really all that surprising to me because we didn't win
the league, we didn't have leaders in any statistical categories
and we didn't have any individual player who put up really big
numbers," said head coach Dan Stauber. "We didn't produce
much on offense this year and that's what a lot of these awards
are given for, so it really doesn't surprise me all that much."
St. Norbert's Kyle Jones was named NCHA Player of the Year,
while his head coach, Tim Coghlin, was named NCHA Coach of the
Year.
"St. Norbert had another great year and won the league running
away. A lot of people thought they'd be down, but he took
that group and molded it into a unit that was the best in our
league and he should be congratulated for that," Stauber said.
"He earned the honor.
"Jones was the backstop of one of the best defensive teams I've
ever seen, and that's saying a lot because St. Norbert and River
Falls over the years have had some great defensive hockey teams.
But to only allow 18 goals in 14 league games is impressive.
He's been that solid his whole career there," Stauber added.
One Yellowjacket did take home a major honor, however.
Dustin Cosgrove (Sr. Neepawa,
Manitoba), who has missed most of the season
with a shoulder injury, was named the NCHA Scholar Athlete of
the Year. The NCHA Scholar Athlete Award is
presented to the most outstanding senior during the year who
exhibits the greatest combination of performance and achievement
in academics, athletics and leadership. Cosgrove,
an accounting major, has demonstrated leadership on and off the
ice during his four years in Superior and has been a three-year
captain of the team. He has also been the recipient of
some of the most prestigious scholarships at UW-Superior during
his four-year career.
"As a coach, there are players that come through your program
that really understand what things are all about. They go
to class, they get good grades, they work hard in practice and
in the weight room, they behave socially and they seem to do all
the right things to make the most of their time in school,"
Stauber said. "Dustin came in and because of his
dedication and hard work has received scholarships and has gone
to school for next to nothing for four years. That's all
on him. He gets it, understands it and he has from day
one. Words can't describe how proud of him that I am.
Our program is going to miss him when he's done here."
The NCHA states that this award is the "most prestigious honor
given during the year." To be nominated for the award, the
athlete must be a senior and must carry a GPA of 3.50 during his
final year of competition.
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'JACKET
HOCKEY
National Champions:
1976, 2002
NCAA Frozen Four: 1992, 1994,
1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
NCHA Playoff Champions: 1994,
1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006
NCHA Champions:
1994, 2001
WIAC Champions:
1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2004
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