Five players were honored by the WIAC, as the conference announced their all-conference team for 2008-09.

Goaltender Chad Beiswenger (Sr. Moorhead, Minnesota), defenseman Art Clark (Jr. Bloomington, Minnesota) and forwards Braden Desmet (Jr. Strathmore, Alberta) and Chris Wilson (Jr. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) received All-WIAC honors.  Team captain Rob Turville (Sr. Olds, Alberta) was named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship team.

"All of these players are very deserving of the honor.  They all played a big part in our team's ability to go out and win the conference," said Yellowjacket Head Coach Dan Stauber.  "But I'll also say the same thing I said when the NCHA announced their honors.  We did all of this so far this year as a team, and there are a lot of players that would have been deserving of making this team."

Turville, Ryan Kuntz (Sr. Regina, Saskatchewan), Talon Berlando (So. Drumheller, Alberta) and Kevin Huck (Sr. Eden Prairie, Minnesota) received honorable mention.

Beiswenger has had his second consecutive spectacular season in goal for the Yellowjackets.  He has been the only goaltender to man the pipes this season, to-date going 22-2-3 with a 2.01 goals against average, a .918 save percentage and four shutouts.  He leads the nation in minutes played sits atop the charts in several categories in the Yellowjacket record book.

"There isn't much you can say about Chad that hasn't already been said," Stauber said.  "In a nutshell, he's given us All-American caliber play every night and always puts this team in a position to win.  For my money, he's the best goaltender in the country."

Clark enjoyed his best offensive season, despite missing six games with injuries.  He has achieved career-highs in goals (4), assists (10) and points (14).  He also has one of the team's two shorthanded goals and quarterbacks the power play.  When in the lineup, Clark is arguably the team's best defenseman.  When paired with Brian Bina (Jr. Grand Forks, North Dakota), they form one of the most formidable duos in the league.

"Art's battled through some injuries here in his career and this year he was finally able to put it all together and show what he can do," Stauber said.  "He brings some real grit to our blue, but also has a nice offensive touch, too.  We feel comfortable having him on the ice in all situations."

Desmet has been among the team's top scorers all season and was named All-WIAC for the second time in his career.  Desmet has played in all 27 games to date, scoring 13 goals (one off his career-high), while tying his career-high in assists (18) and totaling 30 points, which is two off his career-high.  A dynamic player up front, few in the country are better than Desmet when he is on his game.

"Braden has a good offensive player for us from start to finish," Stauber said.  "I know that is hasn't been easy for him this year because he's changed linemates quite a bit and has shifted between center and wing, but he's a player that can handle that and that says something about him.  There aren't a lot of players that could do that and still produce, but Braden has been able to."

 Wilson made a splash with the team from day one after transferring in from Division I from Nebraska-Omaha.  On a line with Berlando and Logan Isley (So. Bonnyville, Alberta) all season long, Wilson has brought people to their feet more than once with his speed and skill, relishing in the role of "go-to guy" by leading the nation in game-winning goals with seven, including two in overtime.  To-date, Wilson leads the 'Jackets in scoring with 15 goals and 32 points.

"Chris has been better than we expected up front coming in.  I wish we could have had him for four full seasons," Stauber said.  "He's such an exciting player to watch.  Every time he's on the ice he seems to make something happen.  He's a game-changer and one of those guys that other teams have to prepare for."

Turville was named to the league's All-Sportsmanship Team.  A new facet of the WIAC awards, one player from each team is selected to this group.

"I think if you ask Rob, he would say that he wishes his numbers were better this year, but he also has realized that his value goes beyond statistics," Stauber said.  "He learned early that he had a specific role with this team and he has played it to perfection.  He has done everything we wanted and more as the captain of this team."

Stauber, for the first time in his nine years as coach, was named WIAC Coach of the Year.  He was named NCHA Coach of the Year in 2001, and the Eddie Jeremiah Award winner as Division III Coach of the Year in 2002.  This season, after leading the 'Jackets to a 22-3-2 record to date and a 7-0-1 mark in WIAC play, he took home the top coaching honor.

"It's a nice award, but it truly is about the team," Stauber said.  "It's the players that make the coaches, and I think any coach will tell you that.  When you have good players that work hard and play as a group, you will have a good team and win games.  That's what we have had here.  So I know it sounds cliché, but this truly is a team award.  My players are the ones that deserve the credit for it."