WCHA Mid-Season Awards

Midseason Awards
Revised Standing Projections
1. Wisconsin
2. Minnesota-Duluth
3. Minnesota
4. Bemidji State
5. Ohio State
6. North Dakota
7. Minnesota State
8. St. Cloud State

CO-Mid-Season Players of the Year
Haley Irwin, F, Minnesota-Duluth & Meghan Duggan, F, Wisconsin
At the midway point of the 2010-2011 season there are two players who have consistently stood out for their teams and lead by example. In addition to being their team captains, Minnesota-Duluth Junior Haley Irwin and Wisconsin Senior Meghan Duggan rank at the top in most of their team and the WCHA statistical categories. As the season reaches its halfway mark these two Olympians have stood out amongst an entire league of exceptional talent as the players to beat and more importantly a key to success night in and night out if your a Badger or Bulldog coach. Weather its the year of experience with their respective national team or just being better than the rest both Meghan Duggan and Haley Irwin continue to wind their way towards a likely goal of meeting once again for the WCHA title and quite possibly a shot at another National Championship for their respective team.

Mid-Season Goalie of the Year
Alex Rigsby, Wisconsin
Not a surprise to anyone that has followed her prior to her time in Madison, Alex the great has been down right impressive throughout her initial 13 collegiate contests. The Freshman from Delafield, Wisconsin leads the WCHA with a .889 win percentage and has the fifth best save percentage (.909) and Goals against average (2.25). Her 8-1-0 record is marred by just a single defeat that came in her first road game at then surging Minnesota. While her statistics nationally for goals against average and save percentage leave a little to be desired its hard to argue with her .917 win percentage and the factors that the stats don't show. Her poise under pressure and ability to adapt when her offense is struggling are areas where Rigsby has an upper hand on even some of the leagues more tenured netminders. Those characteristics show even more why Alex Rigsby to this point is the leader of the pack in a league filled with exceptional goalies.

Mid-Season Rookie of the Year
Kelly Terry, Minnesota
With injuries and instability rampant on this seasons Minnesota Golden Gophers team, one bright spot has been freshman forward Kelley Terry. Tied for the team lead in goals and assists the Whitby Ontario native has seamlessly transitioned from her prep days into a spot on the second line for the gophers. Terry's adjustment has been greatly appreciated and a rather unexpected bright spot as Minnesota has struggled this season with senior Emily West missing all but four games and the golden gals once again suffering with the sophomore slump. Without the freshman; mainly Terry, Amanda Kessel and Sarah Davis the gophers could quite possibly be at an even greater deficit in the standings.

Mid-Season Coach of the Year
Steve Sertich, Bemidji State
As the 2010-2011 season began the outlook for the Bemidji State Beavers was similar to other seasons in recent memory. If the Beavers excelled against the leagues bottom dwellers then a finish just outside of the top four in the league and a chance to upset a top seed on the road was the likely path that would be followed. What has ensued has been nothing short of exciting for fans of this Minnesota north woods institution. The Beavers have split all but one series this season, a week two test at number one Wisconsin. The Beavers have rather silently taken points from #4 Minnesota Duluth, #5 Minnesota, #6 Mercyhurst, #9 North Dakota, Ohio State (ranked at the time), and the Minnesota Whitecaps. One way that makes these victories look even more impressive is when you take a look at the roster that Steve Sertich has cobbled together that features just three players with various National Team ties in Erin Cody, Montana Vichorek, and Zuzana Tomcikova. But nobody said you had to have a team of stars to play as a team and win hockey games. Steve Sertich has showed that many times before and unbeknown to the rest of the nation Bemidji State may have a few more tricks up their sleeves before this season winds to a close.

*Mel Webster is the CHA & WCHA Correspondent for Beyond the Dashers.