Four Gophers named to All-WCHA teams

Published Mar. 14, 2013 6:07 p.m. ET

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MINNEAPOLIS — One day before the Gophers hockey team began its postseason, several of Minnesota's players received individual accolades.

Junior defenseman Nate Schmidt was named to the All-WCHA first team. The St. Cloud native, who remains undrafted, led all conference defenseman with 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists) in 36 games. He was sixth on the Gophers in scoring and had four power play goals and a game-winning goal.

On the All-WCHA second team is Gophers forward Erik Haula, who leads Minnesota in scoring with 46 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 33 games. The Finland native is also a draft pick of the Minnesota Wild and has two game-winning goals for the Gophers this season.

Junior forward Nick Bjugstad and freshman goalie Adam Wilcox both received All-WCHA third team honors. Bjugstad has a team-high 20 goals and is third on Minnesota with 35 points. He was an All-WCHA first team selection a year ago.

Wilcox, meanwhile, has had an impressive freshman season. After beginning the year by splitting time in net, Wilcox has become Minnesota's starting goalie as he's made 34 starts. His 1.85 goals against average is seventh among all Division I goalies. Wilcox has posted a 23-6-5 record and has three shutouts this season.

The Gophers, who clinched a share of the WCHA title last weekend, will host Bemidji State beginning Friday for a best-of-three series to start the WCHA playoffs.

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