After strong showings in two holiday tournaments, Michigan-based WCHA schools swept the conference weekly awards today.
Lake Superior State, fresh off a win at the Florida college Classic, had two players named – freshmen Gordon Defiel and Aidan Wright. Meanwhile, Michigan Tech senior forward Tanner Kero picked up a league selection award, as well.
From the WCHA:
WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Tanner Kero, Sr., F, Michigan Tech (Hancock, Mich.)
Kero was named to the All-Tournament team at the Great Lakes Invitational after tallying three points (one goal, two assists) over two games. The senior from Hancock, Mich. led Tech to a 4-2 victory over Ferris State in the Third Place Game, picking up an assist and a short-handed goal. Kero also assisted in the Huskies’ lone goal against Michigan in the tournament opener.Also nominated: Jack Prince, Jr., F, Alabama Huntsville
WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Gordon Defiel, Fr., G, Lake Superior State (Stillwater, Minn.)
Defiel earned the Shawn Walsh Memorial Trophy as tournament Most Valuable Player after backstopping Lake Superior State to the Florida College Classic title. The freshman logged all 125 minutes in net, while stopping 67 of 68 shots faced against Cornell and Notre Dame. In the tournament opener, won by LSSU in a shootout, Defiel recorded his second career shutout with a 39-save effort (including 19 stops in the third period and overtime). The Stillwater, Minn. native was equally brilliant in the Championship Game, turning back 28 of 29 shots. With the Lakers clinging to 1-0 and 2-1 leads, Defiel stopped 14 of 15 Notre Dame shots during the decisive third period.Also nominated: Jamie Phillips, Jr., G, Michigan Tech
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Aidan Wright, D, Lake Superior State (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario)
Wright helped anchor the top defensive unit for a Lake Superior State team that allowed just one goal over two games of the Florida College Classic. The defenseman from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario blocked 10 shots during the tournament, while averaging more than 26 minutes of ice time. Wright played a huge role on both ends of the ice in the Lakers’ 2-1, Championship Game victory over Notre Dame, as he assisted on Eric Drapluk’s tournament-winning goal at the 15:53 mark of the third period. The rookie then was on the ice for the final two minutes as LSSU protected its one goal lead and the Irish pulled its goalie in favor of an extra attacker.Also nominated: Joel L’Esperance, F, Michigan Tech; Max McHugh, F, Alabama Huntsville