MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Seven UW-Eau Claire men's hockey players have received All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honors, four on the first team and three honorably mentioned, WIAC officials announced today. Additionally, Blugold head coach Matt Loen was named Coach of the Year.
Recognized this year on the first team were Jack Callahan (So.-Red Bank, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy), Andrew McCabe (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial), Jordan Singer (Sr.-Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) and Brandon Stephenson (Sr.-Saline, Mich.). Honorably mentioned were Isaiah Bennis (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial), David Donnellan (Jr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) and Mark Pustin (Jr.-Northridge, Calif./Granada Hills).
An All-Sportsmanship Team was selected for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each school. From Eau Claire, Brian Nehring (Jr.-Hopedale, Mass./Milford) was named to the team.
Callahan, a defenseman in his first year with the Blugolds, has played in all 25 games so far this year. He has one goal and 15 assists, tied for a team-high. He is part of a defense that has given up just 56 goals and 727 shots while the Blugolds compiled 101 goals and 861 shots.
McCabe, a forward, has played in all 25 games so far this year and has compiled seven goals and 14 assists, tied for third most on the team.
Singer, a forward, leads the Blugolds with 18 goals and 30 points. He is also tied for fifth on the team with 12 assists. His 18 goals is a league-best while 30 points is tied for third most in the NCHA. He is currently 17th in program history for career points with 94 and 11th with 51 goals. He is first in school history in game-winning goals with 11. This is Singer's second straight year with All-WIAC accolades.
Stephenson, a goalie, led the NCHA in winning percentage (.818) and ranked second in total saves (594). He was one of the busiest goalies in the NCHA and still managed to lead his team to victory on most nights. Stephenson led the NCHA in conference minutes played (1087:12) and save percentage (.930). He went undefeated from October 26 through December 1 and allowed two or less goals in 15 of his 22 starts. Stephenson enters the Peters Cup Playoffs on a 7-1-0 streak over his past eight games. In program archives, Stephenson ranks first in both career wins with 43 currently and season wins with 17 so far this year.
Bennis, a forward, has played in 19 games this season and has 10 goals and seven assists for 17 points. His total of 10 goals is second-most on the team.
Donnellan, a defenseman, has five goals and nine assists and has played in all 25 games so far this year.
Pustin, a forward, has played in 25 games this season and leads the team with 15 assists, tied for eighth on the team. He has a total of 23 points, second most on the team.
Nehring, a forward, has played in 24 games this season and has recorded nine points (three goals, six assists).
Also announced today, Blugold head coach Matt Loen claimed the Coach of the Year honor after leading the Blugolds to their first-ever WIAC championship and a school-record 19 victories. He won the coaching plaque for the third time in the last four seasons.
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