Ferris State Hockey Ranks Among WCHA Leaders In All-Academic and Scholar-Athlete Selections

WCHA All-Academic Release
WCHA Scholar-Athlete Release

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's ice hockey squad ranked among the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) leaders both in the number of WCHA All-Academic Team selections and WCHA Scholar-Athletes as announced by the conference office.

The league unveiled its 2020-21 postseason awards recipients, which included the release of the all-academic teams and the scholar-athletes for this year. Overall, Ferris State had 16 individuals named to the WCHA All-Academic squad along with a total of 12 who earned WCHA Scholar-Athlete status this year.

A total of 163 student-athletes, representing all 10 WCHA Men's League institutions, earned 2020-21 WCHA AllAcademic Team honors. To be eligible for selection, a student-athlete must have completed one year of eligibility at his present institution prior to the current academic year with a grade point average of 3.0 or above for the prior two semesters or three quarters or may qualify if his overall GPA is 3.0 or better for all terms at his present institution.

"WCHA Men's League student-athletes have again shown that the talent and skill level of our league is amongst the very best in college hockey," WCHA President and Men's League Commissioner Bill Robertson said. "With all 10 member institutions well-represented on the All-Academic Team, we once again see the commitment to academic and athletic excellence that has been a hallmark of our league over the years. Congratulations to all of our All-WCHA honorees for their success as students and athletes in this most-unusual season."

Meanwhile, the WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award was developed through member institution Faculty Athletics Representatives and approved by the conference membership for the 2005-06 season. To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, conference-member student-athletes must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters or three quarters. A candidate may also qualify if his overall GPA is at least 3.50 for all terms at his present institution. 

Over the 16 years of the award, there have now been more than 1,200 WCHA Scholar-Athlete honorees representing every men's and women's member institution. Forty-eight of this season's 105 men's recipients are repeat honorees, with 15 of those now being three-time honorees. This year's 105 honorees are also an increase from the 92 men's student-athletes who were honored a season ago.

"On behalf of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, I want extend congratulations to our 2020-21 WCHA Scholar Athlete Award winners," Robertson said. "I'm excited to recognize publicly the academic excellence of our 105 student athletes who have performed at an elite level in the classroom while competing at the top level of collegiate hockey. All of our recipients are exceptional representatives of the WCHA." 

Below is a listing of the Bulldogs' WCHA All-Academic and Scholar-Athlete selections:

All-Academic Team (16): Jason Brancheau (So., F, Brownstown, Mich.), Blake Evennou (So., D, Macomb, Mich.), Connor Fedorek (So., D, Bethel Park, Pa.), Cade Kowalski (So., F, Morden, Man.), Liam MacDougall (Sr., F, Windsor, Ont.), Brenden MacLaren (So., F, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.), Carter McPhail (So., G, Fenton, Mich.), Justin Michaelian (So., F, Wixom, Mich.), Marshall Moise (Sr., F, St. Clair Shores, Mich.), Coale Norris (Jr., F, Oxford, Mich.), Brenden Rons (So., D, Farmington Hills, Mich.), Roni Salmenkangas (So., G, Tampere, Finland), Ethan Stewart (Jr., F, Rockford, Ill.), Jake Transit (Jr. F, Royal Oak, Mich.), Dallas Tulik (So., F, Kalamazoo, Mich.), Jake Willets (So., D, Erie, Mich.)

Scholar-Athletes (12): Blake Evennou (So., D, Macomb, Mich.), Connor Fedorek (So., D, Bethel Park, Pa.), Cade Kowalski (So., F, Morden, Man.), Carter McPhail (So., G, Fenton, Mich.), Justin Michaelian ** (So., F, Wixom, Mich.), Marshall Moise (Sr., F, St. Clair Shores, Mich.), Coale Norris ** (Jr., F, Oxford, Mich.), Brenden Rons (So., D, Farmington Hills, Mich.), Roni Salmenkangas ** (So., G, Tampere, Finland), Ethan Stewart (Jr., F, Rockford, Ill.), Dallas Tulik (So., F, Kalamazoo, Mich.), Jake Willets (So., D, Erie, Mich.)

** - Indicates two-time recipient