Michigan teams dominate WCHA postseason awards

By @MichaelCaples –

The WCHA announced its postseason awards today, and there are plenty of Michigan residents claiming the honors.

WCHA Player of the Year – Alex Petan, Sr., F, Michigan Tech

Petan, a native of Delta, British Columbia, led the WCHA with 16 goals and 29 points in league play. The senior recorded points in 19 of his 27 WCHA contests, including seven multi-point outings.

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year – Casey Nelson, Jr., D, Minnesota State

Nelson led a Minnesota State blueline that allowed the fewest shots on goal per game and he played to a plus-16 rating in 27 league games.

WCHA Rookie of the Year – Corey Mackin, Fr., F, Ferris State

Mackin, a Philadelphia native, led WCHA freshmen with 21 points in league play and 23 points overall. Mackin registered points in 14 of his 28 league contests, and he factored in on the game-winning goal six times.

WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year – Jamie Phillips, Sr., G, Michigan Tech

While backstopping Michigan Tech to a conference title, Phillips also recorded a 3.52 grade-point average. The Caledonia, Ontario native is graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, and he plans on attending medical school in Canada when he concludes his playing career.

WCHA Coach of the Year – Mel Pearson, Michigan Tech

Pearson has continued to build the Huskies into a top-tier program, and this season, he brought the MacNaughton Cup back to Copper Country for the first time in 40 years. In his fifth season with the Huskies, he has won this award two times.

2015-16 All-WCHA Teams