Alex Stalock has done a better job of keeping opposing shots from becoming goals than any other Western Collegiate Hockey Association this winter and on Thursday he was rewarded for his exemplary efforts by being named to the All-WCHA first team for 2008-09.
Stalock, who is just the third UMD goaltender to ever receive all-league first team acclaim -- Chad Erickson (1989-90) ,Rick Kosti (1984-85) and Bob Mason (1982-83) were the others -- was one of four Bulldogs honored at the annual WCHA Awards Banquet in St. Paul. Sophomore right winger Justin Fontaine was a member of the All-WCHA second team, senior defenseman Josh Meyers landed third team honors and right winger Mike Connolly was chosen to the All-Rookie Team.
A native of South St. Paul, Minn., Stalock reigned as the WCHA's goals against average champion in 2008-09, joining Kosti as the only two Bulldogs to ever do so. He posted a 2.39 goals against average in league play while starting all 28 WCHA games for the second straight season. Stalock, whose National Hockey League rights are held by the San Jose Sharks, currently leads the WCHA in overall goals against average (a career-best 2.24 mark) and is second in saves percentage (.920) and minutes played (2225:19). During the course of the 2008-09 he was bestowed with WCHA Defensive Player of the Week recognition a league-high four times.
Fontaine has rocketed to prominence this winter with a breakout season in which he has racked up 15 goal and 30 assists for a team-leading 45 points (a 33-point increase from his rookie year). The Bonnyville, Alberta product, who came within two points of capturing a share of the WCHA scoring title, ranks third in overall points, second in power play goals (11) and second in power play points (25) among his leaguebrethren.
Meyers, a team tri-captain from Alexandria, Minn. and Los Angeles Kings draftee, is enjoying his most productive year in a Bulldog uniform, establishing highs for both points (26) and assists (16) while averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per night. He's anchored a Bulldog power play unit which has ranked among the nation's mostefficient all season long and has racked up all but three of his points and all 10 of his goals with the man advantage.
Connolly, a native of Calgary, Alberta, has made quite the splash during his inaugural collegiate go-around. In 38 games thus far he has collected 11 goals and 23 points for 34 points -- the most by a UMD rookie in six years and the second highest scoring total by a WCHA newcomer in 2008-09.
The No. 17 Bulldogs, who swept host Colorado College in the opening round of the WCHA playoffs last weekend, will take 18-12-8 overall record into Thursday night's WCHA Final Five clash with the University of Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
All-WCHA Release
