University of Minnesota Athletics
Potulny, Goligoski and Kessel Earn All-USCHO Honors
4/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
April 4, 2006 - University of Minnesota men’s hockey players Ryan Potulny (Grand Forks, N.D.), Alex Goligoski (Grand Rapids, Minn.) and Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis.) have earned 2005-06 Division I All-USCHO honors, according to U.S. College Hockey Online (www.uscho.com). Potulny was named to the All-USCHO First Team, while Goligoski earned honorable mention. Kessel was named the USCHO Co-Rookie of the Year with Michigan State goaltender Jeff Lerg.
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.
Last week, 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).
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 this week.
2005-06 All-USCHO Teams
First Team
F Ryan Potulny, Minnesota
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 T.J. Hensick, Michigan
F Joe Pavelski, Wisconsin
F Brett Sterling, Colorado College
D Peter Harrold, Boston College
D Brian Salcido, Colorado College
G Cory Schneider, Boston College
Third Team
F Tyler McGregor, Holy Cross
F Paul Stastny, Denver
F T.J. Trevelyan, St. Lawrence
D Reid Cashman, Quinnipiac
D Mitch Ganzak, Miami
G Jeff Lerg, Michigan State
Honorable Mention
F Daniel Winnik, New Hampshire; F Marty Sertich, Colorado College; F Greg Moore, Maine; F Brian Boyle, Boston College; D Alex Goligoski, Minnesota; D Dan Spang, Boston University; D Matt Davis, Miami; D Jamie Hunt, Mercyhurst; G Bobby Goepfert, St. Cloud State; G Jordan Parise, North Dakota
All-Rookie Team
F Phil Kessel, Minnesota
F T.J. Oshie, North Dakota
F Jonathan Toews, North Dakota
D Jack Johnson, Michigan
D Brett Motherwell, Boston College
G Jeff Lerg, Michigan State
