MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) office announced the 2016 All-WIAC men's hockey awards on Thursday, headlined by Tyler Green (Sr. – Noblesville, IN) who earned Player of the Year honors.
The first player in program history to receive the award, Green currently ranks second in the conference with a 1.83 goals-against-average and 536 saves, while placing third with 10 victories. He owns a pair of shutouts – against Lawrence University (Wis.) on Nov. 27 and UW-Stout on Dec. 3. Green had 30-plus saves in 11 of 18 games, including a season-high 45 saves against UW-Stout on Jan. 28. He also received first team recognition in 2014.
Jeff Pauluk (Sr. – Bloomington, MN), Adam Knochenmus (Jr. – Roseau, MN) and Patrick Moore (Jr. – Grand Rapids, MN) joined Green on the All-WIAC team honors.
Pauluk, earns first team honors for the second straight season this year serving as the captain for the Blugolds in his senior season. Pauluk was the definition of a hard-working defenseman who could do it all including blocking shots and setting up plays in the offensive end. In conference play, the senior tied for second in assists per game (.88) and was a big reason the Blugolds gave up just an average of two goals per game.
Knochenmus was the offensive powerhouse UW-Eau Claire this season and led the Blugolds in points (39), goals (22), power-play goals (8) and game-winning goals (4). He was second in assists with 17. In WIAC play, the junior was first in points (16), goals per game (1.12) and tied for second in assists per game (.88) and power-play goals (3). Knochenmus also recorded two hat-tricks on the season and shocked the conference with his five-goal performance against UW-Stout that will go down in UW-Eau Claire Hockey history.
Moore, jumping up for honorable mention a year ago, led the Blugolds in assists (19) and was second in goals (11) and points (30). In WIAC play, Moore led the conference in power-play goals (4), was second in points, tied for third in goals per game (.75) and tied for fifth in assists per game (.75). Moore was instrumental in the faceoff circle all season for the Blugolds and provided three game-winning goals on the season highlighted by his game winner to earn himself the hat-trick in the 5-4 win over UW-Stevens Point back in January.
Garret Clemment (Jr. – Wausau, WI/West) and Derek Knetter (Sr. – Wausau, WI/West) were named to the Honorable Mention list. Clemment was third on the team in points (29), goals (10) and tied for the most assists with 19. In the WIAC, the junior tied for fifth in assists per game (.75).
Knetter served as one of the teams' alternate captains for the season and provided more senior leadership to the defensive pairings. Knetter led the entire team with a +19 rating on the season while adding six points (3 goals, 3 assists).
Tyler Hart (Fr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) was also named to the All-Sportsmanship Team. The freshman stepped up in big way to provide depth on the back end for the Blugolds contributing a physical presence while posting a +6 rating for the season.