USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Alumni Take Home WCHA Awards

Published on March 15, 2007 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


St. Paul, MN-The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) announced today that former Stampede star Andreas Nödl has been named WCHA Rookie-of-the-Year. In addition, Nödl was also named to the WCHA All-Rookie team and "Third Team" All-WCHA. Nödl is St. Cloud State's top scorer and leads WCHA rookies in scoring with 43 points (16g, 27a) in 37 games.

He becomes the first ever St. Cloud State player to earn the award. His 43 points broke an SCSU record for most points in a season by a rookie. He has also tied a school record with five game-winning goals this year. The Hockey News recently ranked Nödl as the No. 3 prospect for the Philadelphia Flyers, who drafted him 39th overall last summer.

Nödl spent two seasons with the Stampede and was the Herd's top scorer last season, posting 59 points (29g, 30a) in 58 games. He was named MVP of the 2006 USHL Prospects/All-Star Game and a member of the All-USHL First Team. He is the second player to earn the award, Thomas Vanek won the award in 2003.

Nödl recorded the game-winning goal in triple during the Huskies 3-2 victory over Minnesota-Duluth in game three of their WCHA first round series last Sunday. The Huskies have advanced to the WCHA semi-finals where they will face the University of North

Dakota at 2:07 PM Friday afternoon.

Motzko Named Co-WCHA Coach-of-the-Year;

St. Paul, MN- The WCHA announced today that former Stampede head coach Bob Motzko has been named Co-WCHA Coach-of-the-Year for the second consecutive season. Motzko shares the award with Michigan Tech head coach Jamie Russell. In just his second season with the Huskies, Motzko has led the Huskies to a 22-8-7 record and a second place finish in the WCHA. Motzko holds a 44-24-11 coaching record at St. Cloud State. The Huskies enter tomorrow's game against North Dakota as the #4 team in the country.

Motzko spent two years in Sioux Falls, coaching the likes of Thomas Vanek, Chad LaRose, J.B. Bittner, Joe Jensen and Dave Iannazzo. While with the Stampede, Motzko posted a 77-31-6 record and led the Stampede to back-to-back Clark Cup playoff appearances.

The Huskies are a lock to make the NCAA tournament and will find out their first round opponent this Sunday when the field of 16 is announced at 1:30 PM on ESPN2. Fans can catch the entire Final Five tournament on Fox Sports Net North (Midcontinent channel 50).

St. Paul, MN-The WCHA announced today that former Stampede defenseman Alex Goligoski was named Defensive Player-of-the-Year. Goligoski, a junior at the University of Minnesota, led WCHA defenseman in scoring with 36 points (9g, 27a), ranks third on the team in points and is tied with Mike Vannelli for first on the team in the plus/minus department at +19. He was also named to the "First Team" All-WCHA.

Vannelli, a senior, was named to the "Second Team" All-WCHA. The St. Paul, MN native is having his best season as a Gopher, recording 31 points (9g, 22a) in 40 games this season. His 31 points, shattered his previous career high of 17 points set last year. Vannelli spent two seasons with the Stampede, recording 52 points (13g, 39a) in 97 career games. The Gophers will play the winner of the Wisconsin/Michigan Tech game in the other semi-final at 7:07 PM tomorrow.

T.J. Oshie was named to the "Third Team" All-WCHA. Oshie, a sophomore at North Dakota, is currently tied for second in scoring for the Fighting Sioux with 41 points (13g, 28a) in 38 games. He has already accumulated 86 points in 82 career games. Oshie was a member of the WCHA All-Rookie team last year after helping lead the Sioux to a Frozen Four appearance.

WCHA AWARDS

Player of the Year -- Ryan Duncan, sophomore, forward, North Dakota Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year -- Lee Sweatt, senior, defenseman, Colorado College Defensive Player of the Year -- Alex Goligoski, junior, D, Minnesota Rookie of the Year -- Andreas Nödl, freshman, F, SCSU Coach of the Year -- Bob Motzko, SCSU, and Jamie Russell, Michigan Tech

First Team

Forwards -- Duncan; Mason Raymond, so., Minnesota-Duluth; Andrew Gordon, jr., SCSU; Defensemen -- Goligoski; Matt Niskanen, so., UMD; Goalie -- Bobby Goepfert, sr., SCSU.

Second Team

F -- Jonathan Toews, so., UND; Travis Morin, sr., Minnesota State-Mankato; Kyle Okposo, fr., UM; D --Vannelli, sr., UM; Taylor Chorney, so., UND; G -- Brian Elliott, sr., Wisconsin.

Third Team

F -- Nödl, fr., SCSU; Oshie, so., North Dakota; Ryan Dingle, jr., Denver; D -- Lee Sweatt, sr., Colorado College; Steve Wagner, sr., MSU-Mankato; G -- Michael-Lee Teslak, so., Michigan Tech.

Rookie Team

F -- Nödl; Okposo; Ryan Lasch, SCSU; D -- Erik Johnson, UM; Jamie McBain, UW; G -- Alex Stalock, UMD.

WCHA FINAL FIVE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Tonight: Wisconsin vs Michigan Tech 7:07 PM

Tomorrow: North Dakota vs St. Cloud State 2:07 PM

Tomorrow: Wisconsin/Michigan Tech vs Minnesota 7:07 PM

Saturday: Third Place Game 2:07 PM

Saturday: Championship Game 7:07 PM

Note: All Games will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net North

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2007


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