Ferris State Freshman Cooper Zech Named WCHA Rookie Of The Year

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University freshman defenseman Cooper Zech (South Lyon) received one of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's (WCHA) top honors today by being tabbed as the league's Rookie of the Year for the 2018-19 season.

Zech made an immediate impact on the Bulldogs and the WCHA in his debut season in Big Rapids. The South Lyon, Mich., native led all WCHA rookies in scoring in league games (24 points) and all games (28 points) this season and became the first freshman to lead Ferris State in scoring in 31 years this season.

His 28 points and 0.78 points per game led all freshmen blueliners in the NCAA in 2018-19 and his point total ranked fifth nationally among all NCAA rookies.

The WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year, he is just the second Bulldog to earn preseason and postseason newcomer honors in program history.

Zech earned WCHA Rookie of the Month honors in December and was a three-time Rookie of the Week honoree this year.

On March 12, Zech became the fourth member of Ferris State's 2018-19 team to begin his professional hockey career when he inked a deal with the Providence Bruins.