Jake McCabe, Michael Mersch named AHCA All-Americans

Wisconsin defenseman Jake McCabe and forward Michael Mersch have been named 2014 West All-Americans as voted on by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association.

McCabe and Mersch become the 38th and 39th All-Americans to suit up for the Badgers. McCabe, a junior defenseman, was named to the first team while Mersch was named to the second team.

A native of Eau Claire, Wis., McCabe was named first-team all-Big Team earlier this year after a fantastic junior season. McCabe plays a two-way game, logging major minutes for Wisconsin and reached a career high in goals (eight) and points (25) this past season.

McCabe recently signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres and made his NHL debut.

Mersch, who came to Madison from Park Ridge, Ill., wrapped up an outstanding four-year career with a huge senior season. A power forward, Mersch registered 22 goals, 35 points and 18 penalty minutes in 37 games as a senior and helped lead the Badgers to the first-ever Big Ten tournament title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

He was named first-team All-Big Ten after finishing tied for first in goals, tied for fifth in points and first in power-play goals (10). Mersch has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings and is currently finishing the season in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs.

Mersch is the Badgers' first All-American at forward since Blake Geoffrion (2010), while McCabe is the Badgers' first All-America defenseman since Justin Schultz (2012). The duo gives UW a pair of All-Americans for the first time since 2011, when Schultz and Jake Gardiner each got nods on defense.

McCabe is the 18th All-American on defense to play at Wisconsin, while Mersch is the program's 13th All-American at forward.

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