Yahoo Sports CCHA Announces Preseason Awards
The CCHA announced its list of preseason awards Monday, with the awards being voted on by coaches and media involved with the league.
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The Preseason All-CCHA Team consisted of six players - three forwards, two defensemen and a goalie. Those included were Minnesota State's Evan Murr, Michigan Tech's Chase Pietila and Isaac Gordon, Lake Superior State's Connor Milburn, St. Thomas' Lucas Wahlin as well as Bemidji State's Mattias Sholl.
A freshman for Minnesota State last season, Murr scored six goals and added 20 assists for 26 points in 37 games. Murr also took home Second Team All-CCHA and CCHA All-Rookie Team honours.
Pietila, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect and a product of Howell, Mich., put up 22 points in 40 games during his freshman season with the Huskies. Gordon, his fellow teammate, had 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points in 40 games. Gordon's impressive numbers earned him CCHA Rookie of the Year.
Hailing from Kamloops. B.C., Milburn had a stand-out sophomore season at Lake Superior State, collecting 35 points in 34 games. His numbers were good for second on the Lakers.
A product of Woodbury, Minn., Wahlin served as captain of the Tommies last year, accumulating 30 points in 37 games. His offensive output was good enough to lead his team in points.
To round out the list, Sholl, who is a native of Hermosa Beach, Calif., posted solid numbers between the pipes last season with the Beavers. In 24 appearances, he posted a 14-8-2 record to go along with a 2.48 GAA and a .910 SV%.
The other two awards voted on were the Preseason Rookie of the Year as well as the Preseason Player(s) of the Year. CCHA coaches nominated three for players of the year (Gordon, Milburn & Wahlin) but the media only named one (Wahlin).
For rookie of the year, both contingents of voters differed in their picks: Luke Ashton was the pick for the coaches while the media chose Jaksen Panzer.
A Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, Ashton is joining Minnesota State after spending last season with the BCHL's Langley Rivermen. The 6-foot-7 defender posted 36 points in 53 regular season games.
Scheduled to suit up for the Beavers, Panzer makes the jump to the NCAA after playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) in 2023-24. In 61 regular season games, Panzer scored 18 goals and added 21 assists for 39 points.
With the NCAA season just around the corner, teams are gearing up for another great year of hockey. With all of the players mentioned playing big roles for their respective teams, it will be interesting to monitor their progress in 2024-25.
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