University of Minnesota Athletics
Keith Ballard and Thomas Vanek Named to All-WCHA Team
3/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Ballard was a second-team All-WCHA selection last season and an All- WCHA Rookie Team member in 2001-02. Among WCHA defensemen, Ballard finished tied for first in conference games with 8-11--19 in 21 league contests. The offensive threat from the blue line currently leads all WCHA defensemen in scoring with 11-23--34 in 33 games overall. Ballard, fourth on the team in scoring, helped lead Minnesota's resurgence from a 2-7-1 start with 10-21--31 in the last 30 games since returning from a knee injury. His return to the ice coincided with the Golden Gophers' 22-6-2 record in the last 30 contests.
Ballard is also second on the team this season in power-play points with 6-13--19. In addition, his 1.03 points-per-game ranks second in the nation among defensemen and 38th overall.
Vanek, the WCHA Rookie of the Year, All-WCHA Second Team and All- Rookie Team selection last season, finished tied for third in conference contests with 18-16--34. He currently leads the Maroon and Gold and stands fifth in the league in all games with 22-24--46. Vanek ranks fifth in the nation in points per game with 1.35 and eighth in goals per game with 0.65. He leads Minnesota with 15 multi- point games and five multi-goal games this season.
In addition to the awards presented to Ballard and Vanek, the following eight Golden Gophers were named to the All-WCHA Academic Team - P.J. Atherton, So., D; Keith Ballard, Jr., D; Gino Guyer, So., F; Tyler Hirsch, So., F; Peter Kennedy, So., D; Brett MacKinnon, Jr., F; Garrett Smaagaard, Jr., F; Judd Stevens, Jr., D.
Below is a look at the WCHA awards.
All-WCHA First Team
F - Junior Lessard, Minnesota-Duluth
F - Brandon Bochenski, North Dakota
F - Zach Parise, North Dakota
D - Keith Ballard, Minnesota
D - Beau Geisler, Minnesota-Duluth
G - Bernd Bruckler, Wisconsin
All-WCHA Second Team
F - Chris Conner, Michigan Tech
F - Thomas Vanek, Minnesota
F - Evan Schwabe, Minnesota-Duluth
D - Ryan Cladwell, Denver
D - Matt Jones, North Dakota
G - Isaac Reichmuth, Minnesota-Duluth
All-WCHA Third Team
F - Shane Joseph, Minnesota State
F - Brady Murray, North Dakota
F - Gabe Gauthier, Denver
D - Mark Stuart, Colorado College
D - Ryan Suter, Wisconsin
G - Adam Berkhoel, Denver
All-WCHA Rookie Team
F - Brady Murray, North Dakota
F - David Backes, Minnesota State
F - Robbie Earl, Wisconsin
D - Ryan Suter, Wisconsin
D - Matt Carle, Denver
G - Matt Zaba, Colorado College
WCHA Player of the Year - Junior Lessard, Minnesota-Duluth
WCHA Defensive Player of the Year - Ryan Caldwell, Denver
WCHA Rookie of the Year - Brady Murray, North Dakota
WCHA Coach of the Year - Scott Sandelin, Minnesota-Duluth WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year - Connor James, Denver
