Michigan Tech’s Kero tabbed WCHA Player, Student-Athlete of the Year

Michigan Tech’s Tanner Kero had a stellar season on and off the ice for the Huskies this season (photo: USCHO).

Michigan Tech’s outstanding year translated to Huskies’ senior forward Tanner Kero being named the WCHA’s Player of the Year after winning the league’s scoring crown with a 13-goal, 21-assist performance for 34 points in 28 conference games.

Kero was also named Student-Athlete of the Year after maintaining a 3.72 GPA in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial sciences.

The WCHA Defensive Player of the Year award went to Alaska junior Colton Parayko for the second year in a row. Parayko, who signed a two-year contract with the St. Louis Blues earlier this week, ranked third among WCHA defensemen with 20 points in 28 league contests, while tying for third among all league players with 13 power-play points.

Bemidji State goaltender Michael Bitzer was named Rookie of the Year. He led the WCHA with a .936 save percentage in conference play, while ranking second with a 1.61 GAA. He ranks sixth nationally (third among freshman) with an overall .932 save percentage, while pacing all NCAA rookies with a 1.76 GAA (fourth overall).

Minnesota State goalie Stephon Williams was named the Goaltending Champion this season after going 21-5-3 with a 1.66 GAA and a .925 save percentage.

Mike Hastings from Minnesota State is the Coach of the Year after guiding the Mavericks to the first MacNaughton Cup in program history and a No. 2 national ranking entering the postseason. Minnesota State went 21-4-3 in league play, posting a .804 winning percentage that is the third-best in WCHA history for a 28-game conference schedule.

In addition, the league named three All-WCHA Teams and an All-Rookie Team.

2014-15 All-WCHA First Team

Player's NamePositionClassSchool
Tanner KeroFSr.Michigan Tech
Matt LeitnerFSr.Minnesota State
Tyler MorleyFJr.Alaska
Colton ParaykoDJr.Alaska
Zach PalmquistDSr.Minnesota State
Jamie PhillipsGJr.Michigan Tech

2014-15 All-WCHA Second Team

Player's NamePositionClassSchool
Bryce GervaisFJr.Minnesota State
Alex PetanFJr.Michigan Tech
Malcolm GouldFJr.Michigan Tech
Matt PrapavessisDSr.Bemidji State
Casey NelsonDSo.Minnesota State
Stephon WilliamsGJr.Minnesota State

2014-15 All-WCHA Third Team

Player's NamePositionClassSchool
Blake PietilaFSr.Michigan Tech
Marcus BasaraFSo.Alaska
Brendan HarmsFSo.Bemidji State
Blake TatchellFJr.Alaska-Anchorage
Shane HannaDSo.Michigan Tech
Brock MaschmeyerDSo.Northern Michigan
C.J. MotteGSr.Ferris State

2014-15 WCHA All-Rookie Team

Player's NamePositionSchool
Brandon HawkinsFBowling Green
C.J. FranklinFMinnesota State
Max McHughFAlabama-Huntsville
Mark FriedmanDBowling Green
Nolan ValleauDBowling Green
Michael BitzerGBemidji State