EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey team honored its players their efforts during the 2014-15 season as head coach Matt Loen recently announce the team award winners.
Ross Andersen (Sr.-River Falls, WI) earned Jeff Jaraczewski MVP and Richard G. O'Brien Academic and Athletic Excellence honors along with also being voted Most Dedicated. The senior earned American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA)/CCM All-American honors after he led the nation in short-handed goals (5), tied for second in game-winning goals (5), tied for fifth in goals per game (0.77) and tied for 26th in points per game (1.23). A First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) selection, Andersen lead the league in goals (20), short-hand points (6), short-hand goals (5) and game-winning goals (5). Andersen also ranked second in points (32) and 12th in assists (12). Andersen scored at least one point in 18 of 27 games this season including a stretch from January 31 to February 14 where he scored a goal in five straight games. Andersen was named WIAC Men's Hockey Athlete of the Week a league-best three times in 2014-15. This season Andersen tied the school record of five game-winning goals by Alex Hicks in 1989-90 and five short-handed goals also set by Hicks in 1991-92. In the Eau Claire record book, Andersen finished his career tied for second in career game-winning goals (10) and fifth in short-handed goals (5). Andersen also ranks 13th for career goals (49), 19th in points (88) and tied for 21st in games played (106).
Jake Hopfner (Fr.-Eastpointe, MI) was named the Wallace G. Akervik Freshman of the Year. Hopfner tallied 14 points in 25 games for the Blugolds, scoring six goals, including one game-winner, and dishing out eight assists.
Additionally, Jeff Pauluk (Jr.-Bloomington, MN) was named a captain for the 2015-16 season.
