One Man's All-WCHA Ballot

As is typical, I was handed a ballot for the All-WCHA team on Friday night, before UMD's game with Omaha.

And also typical is my general rule to post my ballot for the masses. I think it's fun for discussion, as everyone voting is going to have a different perspective.

The same rules apply. These selections are based on what I've seen, and discussions I've had with folks around the league. I don't use the ballot as a way to personally attack anyone or any team, and I don't use it to cast a bunch of non-sensical votes for UMD guys because I call their games.

In the seven years I've done this ballot, this is easily the toughest set of decisions I've ever had to make, especially at the forward position.

Here goes nothing.

ALL-WCHA TEAMS
First team
Forwards
Eriah Hayes, Minnesota State
Drew LeBlanc, St. Cloud State
Ryan Walters, Omaha
Defensemen
Mike Boivin, Colorado College
Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State
Goalie
Stephon Williams, Minnesota State

Second team
Forwards
Danny Kristo, North Dakota
Matt Leitner, Minnesota State
Rylan Schwartz, Colorado College
Defensemen
Joey LaLeggia, Denver
Nate Schmidt, Minnesota
Goalie
Juho Olkinuora, Denver

Third team
Forwards
Erik Haula, Minnesota
Corban Knight, North Dakota
Michael Mersch, Wisconsin
Defensemen
Derek Forbort, North Dakota
Andrej Sustr, Omaha
Goalie
Joel Rumpel, Wisconsin

Apologies to ...
Forwards
Josh Archibald, Omaha
Nick Bjugstad, Minnesota
Jonny Brodzinski, St. Cloud State
Tony Cameranesi, UMD
Alexander Krushelnyski, Colorado College
Alex Petan, Michigan Tech
Mike Seidel, UMD
Defensemen
Jake McCabe, Wisconsin
Zach Palmquist, Minnesota State
Goalie
Landon Peterson, Wisconsin

Thoughts
Incredibly difficult decisions at forward, especially leaving Archibald off. Mersch's season, especially as his team's clear No. 1 scoring threat, has been great. And I couldn't ignore the goal production of Kristo, who has scored some big goals for his team this year.

ALL ROOKIE TEAM
Forwards
Tony Cameranesi, UMD
Austin Farley, UMD
Alex Petan, Michigan Tech
Defensemen
Mike Reilly, Minnesota
Andy Welinski, UMD
Goalie
Stephon Williams, Minnesota State

Apologies to ...
Forwards
Jonny Brodzinski, St. Cloud State
Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota
Kalle Kossila, St. Cloud State
Defensemen
Nolan Zajac, Denver
Goalie
Adam Wilcox, Minnesota

Thoughts
More tough decisions at forward, but Cameranesi and Farley have carried a ton of weight for UMD all season, and as the Bulldogs have surged a bit lately, the two have continued to be big-time players. Brodzinski was easily the hardest player to leave off the ballot, but Petan has been wonderful for Tech, averaging a point per game in league games. That isn't easy to do under any circumstances.

WCHA PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Walters, forward, Omaha
WCHA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Tony Cameranesi, forward, UMD
WCHA COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Hastings, Minnesota State

Thoughts
I'm surprised the coach portion of the ballot was even open. This should be unanimous for Hastings, frankly. No one else comes close to the job he did, outside of maybe Bob Motzko, but that's a bit of a stretch, I think.

Walters was a pretty easy choice in the player category, and while Cameranesi was a tough choice, I think the work he has done -- spending much of the season as UMD's de facto No. 1 center -- speaks volumes for his talent level.

I encourage other media members to make their ballots public, but certainly never hold it against those who do not. Your comments and critiques are welcome, but I do not take kindly to personal attacks because you don't agree with my choices.