COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) unveiled its 2022-23 All-Rookie Team on Tuesday, with North Dakota freshman forward Jackson Blake leading the way as a unanimous selection on the six-man squad.
Blake was a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie Team, earning all 15 possible first-team votes for 45 points. WMU’s Ryan McAllister earned 14 of 15 first-team votes and 43 points, while Ben Steeves of Minnesota Duluth was the third forward with 39 points and 12 first-team votes. Omaha’s pair of Joaquim Lemay (37 points) and Jacob Guevin (35) each received 11 first-team votes, while Colorado College netminder Kaidan Mbereko picked up 10 and earned 36 points.
Blake (Eden Prairie, Minn.) led all NCHC rookies in conference-only scoring with 29 points, tying for second among all players in 24 NCHC games. It’s the third-most points by a freshman in conference play in NCHC history. Blake scored 10 goals and added 19 assists, which were second-most in conference play this year and first among freshmen. The Carolina Hurricanes draft pick was a two-time NCHC Rookie of the Month this year and finished the regular season with 40 points (15g/25a) in 35 games. The 40 points rank second among NCHC rookies and fourth among all NCHC players.
Voting was conducted by the eight head coaches at each institution and eight media members, one covering each member school. Coaches and media voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, awarding first-team votes for six players (three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender) and second-team votes for the other six selections. Three points were awarded for a first-team vote while one point was awarded for a second-team vote, with the most points at each position earning the honors. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players, making 15 first-place votes (45 points) the maximum a player can receive.
The NCHC will announce its All-Conference Teams on Wednesday and its individual award finalists on Thursday. Individual award winners will be announced at the annual NCHC Awards Celebration in Saint Paul, Minn. on Thursday, March 16 on the eve of the 2023 NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
2022-23 NCHC All-Rookie Team
F: Jackson Blake, North Dakota – 45 points (15 first-team votes) – unanimous
F: Ryan McAllister, Western Michigan – 43 (14)
F: Ben Steeves, Minnesota Duluth – 39 (12)
D: Joaquim Lemay, Omaha – 37 (11)
D: Jacob Guevin, Omaha – 35 (11)
G: Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College – 36 (10)
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