Genoway makes all-WCHA team; Kristo is rookie of year
Despite only playing nine games this season and not stepping on the ice since November 13th, UND senior defenseman Chay Genoway was voted to the all-WCHA team by the league’s coaches, captains, media and sports information directors.By: Brad Elliott Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald
ST. PAUL -- The most notable award handed out here today was not for the best player or coach.
It was a third-team all-Western Collegiate Hockey Association pick.
Despite only playing nine games this season and not stepping on the ice since November 13th, UND senior defenseman Chay Genoway was voted to the all-WCHA team by the league’s coaches, captains, media and sports information directors -- a show of the respect that Genoway has earned around the league.
No other Sioux forwards or defensemen made all-WCHA first, second or third team.
Two others were honored, though. Freshman forward Danny Kristo was named rookie of the year -- UND’s first since Brady Murray in 2004 -- and goaltender Brad Eidsness was voted to the all-WCHA second team.
The big surprise, however, was Genoway.
The Morden, Man., product got off to a blazing start, tallying four goals, six assists and 10 points in his opening nine games. Then, he suffered a concussion on a check from behind into the glass on Nov. 13 and he hasn’t played since, missing 30 games.
Genoway was on a long list of defensemen on the all-WCHA ballot, but didn’t seem to get much attention because he only played in seven league games. Apparently, his impact had a lasting effect.
Genoway, a first-team all-WCHA pick as a junior, still has more career points than any defenseman in the WCHA (90) and only three defensemen have more goals than him in league games this season.
The UND captain is trying to make a return by the end of the year, as he’s working out and showing signs of improvement. If he cannot make it back, Genoway will have to decide whether to apply for a medical redshirt or sign a pro contract.
In his absence, Kristo has stepped up to run the point on the power play. He has 33 points in 37 games and plays in all situations for the Sioux. His speed and skill set him apart.
Eidsness joined Karl Goehring and Jon Casey as the only UND goalies of the last 45 years to be named all-conference twice. Goehring and Casey were three-time all-WCHA picks.
In league games, Eidsness has a 2.18 goals-against average (second in the league) and a .914 save percentage (third).
WCHA awards
Player of the year -- Marc Cheverie, G, Denver
Rookie of the year -- Danny Kristo, F, UND
Coach of the year -- George Gwozdecky, Denver
Defensive player of the year -- Brendan Smith, Wisconsin
Student-athlete of the year -- Eli Vlaisavljevich, Michigan Tech
First team
F -- Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin
F -- Rhett Rakhshani, Denver
F -- Jack Connolly, Duluth
D -- Brendan Smith, Wisconsin
D -- Patrick Wiercioch, Denver
G -- Marc Cheverie, Denver
Second team
F -- Justin Fontaine, Duluth
F -- Ryan Lasch, St. Cloud State
F -- Tyler Ruegsegger, Denver
D -- Ryan McDonagh, Wisconsin
D -- Nate Prosser, Colorado College
G -- Brad Eidsness, UND
Third team
F -- Michael Davies, Wisconsin
F -- Joe Colborne, Denver
F -- Garrett Roe, St. Cloud State
D -- Chay Genoway, UND
D -- Garrett Raboin, St. Cloud State
G -- Dan Dunn, St. Cloud State
Rookie team
F -- Danny Kristo, UND
F -- Craig Smith, Wisconsin
F -- Rylan Schwartz, Colorado College
D -- Matt Donovan, Denver
D -- Justin Schultz, Wisconsin
G -- Joe Howe, Colorado College
Tags: und hockey, wcha awards, chay genoway, danny kristo, brad eidsness, und sports, daily updates, sports
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