University of Minnesota Athletics

Potulny and Goligoski Named All-Americans by InsideCollegeHockey.com

3/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey

University of Minnesota men’s hockey players Ryan Potulny (Grand Forks, N.D.) and Alex Goligoski (Grand Rapids, Minn.) have been named All-Americans by InsideCollegeHockey.com. Potulny was named to the First Team, while Goligoski earned Third Team honors. In addition, freshman center Phil Kessel was named to the INCH All- Rookie Team.

Potulny, a junior center, was an All-WCHA First Team honoree and 2006 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist after posting career-high totals in points (63), goals (38) and assists (25). He ranks first in the WCHA in points, points per game (1.54), goals, goals per game (0.93), and power-play goals (17), fifth in game-winning goals (4), sixth in power- play points (17-9--26), 11th in assists and 13th in assists per game (0.61). His points, goals, points per game average, goals per game average and power-play goals all rank first in the nation. He had 18 multi-point games and 11 multi-goal contests this season. Potulny was a three-time WCHA Offensive Player of the Week this season and earned National Player of the Month honors for February with 9-2--11 in six games.

On Wednesday, Potulny decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility and signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Goligoski, a sophomore defenseman, earned INCH All-America Second Team and All- WCHA Second Team honors a season after being named to the 2004-05 WCHA All-Rookie Team. Goligoski posted totals of 11-28--39 to rank third in the WCHA and fifth in the nation in points. Overall in the WCHA, Goligoski is ninth in assists, 10th in assists per game (0.68), and 18th in points and points per game (0.95), and 21st in power-play points (4-13--17).

INCH All-Rookie Team member Kessel was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year, in addition to his WCHA All-Rookie Team honor. The nation’s top recruit a year ago, Kessel was second on the team in scoring (18-33--51) and ranks first in the WCHA in freshman scoring and freshman points-per-game (1.31), fourth in assists and assists per game (0.85), fifth in points per game and power-play points (10-17--27), sixth in points, seventh in power-play goals (10), 11th in game-winning goals (3), and 13th in goals and goals per game (0.46). His 51 points and points-per-game average rank first in the nation among rookies. He ranks 11th in the nation among all players in points. The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) will announce its All-America teams next week.

2005-06 InsideCollegeHockey.com All-America Teams

First Team
F Ryan Potulny, Minnesotav F Chris Collins, Boston College
F Scott Parse, Nebraska-Omaha
D Matt Carle, Denver
D Andy Greene, Miami
G Brian Elliott, Wisconsin

Second Team
F Greg Moore, Maine
F Joe Pavelski, Wisconsin
F Brett Sterling, Colorado College
D Tom Gilbert, Wisconsin
D Mike Madill, St. Lawrence
G Cory Schneider, Boston College

Third Team
F Tyler McGregor, Holy Cross
F Drew Stafford, North Dakota
F T.J. Trevelyan, St. Lawrence
D Alex Goligoski, Minnesota
D Peter Harrold, Boston College
G Bobby Goepfert, St. Cloud State

All-Rookie Team
F Phil Kessel, Minnesota
F T.J. Oshie, North Dakota
F Brandon Yip, Boston University
D Jack Johnson, Michigan
D Brett Motherwell, Boston College
G Jeff Lerg, Michigan State

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