As expected, the University of Wisconsin had two players honored on Thursday when the WCHA announced their All-Conference teams.
Wisconsin junior defenseman Justin Schultz was named First Team All-WCHA, and was also honored as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year. Sophomore Mark Zengerle was named Third Team All-WCHA.
It's the second consecutive season that Schultz was honored by the 12 league coaches as the top defenseman. Schultz joins Colorado College's Eric Rud and Minnesota's Jordan Leopold as the only two time winners of the award.
Schultz's Defensive Player of the Year award marks the third season in a row that Wisconsin has captured the award. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith brought home the award for the Badgers in 2010.
A junior from West Kelowna, B.C., Schultz was the WCHA, and the nations top scoring defenseman for the second consecutive season. Schultz recorded 15 goals and and 27 assists for 42 points in 34 games for the Badgers, averaging 1.24 points per game.
Schultz also regularly logs 30-35 minutes per night while shutting down the top lines in the country.
Zengerle was named to the WCHA All-Conference team for the first time. The Sophomore had a breakout year for Wisconsin, leading the Badgers in scoring in the regular season.
The Rochester, N.Y. native recorded 12 goals and 37 assists for 49 points in 34 games for an average of 1.44 points per game. Zengerle's 37 assists this season were tied for first in the country.
Additionally, Zengerle was honored by the WCHA, along with seven other teammates as members of the All-WCHA Academic Team.
To earn recognition as a member of the All-WCHA Academic Team, member team student-athletes must meet the following criteria: 1) have completed one year of residency at present institution, prior to the current academic year; and 2) have a grade point average of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for the previous two semesters or three quarters.
Wisconsin players to make the All-WCHA Academic Team in addition to Zengerle were Tyler Barnes, Chase Drake, Joe Faust, Gavin Hartzog, Ryan Little, Frankie Simonelli, and Mitch Thompson.
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