Kruse, Ford, Cullen Named All-WCHA First Team

March 10, 2021 | Ice Hockey

By: by Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - The Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced this year's All-WCHA teams as well as the All-Academic recipients on Wednesday (March 10). The Falcons saw a league-high three players named to the All-WCHA First Team as well as a league-high 23 All-Academic players. The All-WCHA awards were voted on by the coaches. To be recognized on the All-Academic list, each candidate must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year. Additionally, they must maintain at least a 3.00 GPA for the previous two semesters or have a 3.00 cumulative GPA for all terms at their present institution.

Full WCHA release can be found HERE.

All-WCHA First Team
Brandon Kruse, Bowling Green (Sr., F, Saline, Mich.)
Julian Napravnik, Minnesota State (Jr., F, Bad Nauheim, Germany)
Connor Ford, Bowling Green (Sr., F, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Will Cullen, Bowling Green (Jr., D, Pelham Manor, N.Y.)
Elias Rosen, Bemidji State (So., D, Mora Sweden)
Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (Jr., G, Downers Grove, Ill.)

WCHA All-Academic Recipients
Cam Babiak (So., D, Saline, Mich.)
Alex Barber (Jr., F, Dublin, OH)
Adam Conquest (So., F, Brighton, Mich.)
Sam Craggs (Sr., F, Elmhurst, Ill.)
Will Cullen (Jr., D, Pelham Manor, N.Y.)
Garrett Daly (So., D, Lakeville, Minn.)
Chase Danol (So, F, Westland, Mich.)
Eric Dop (Sr., G, Lewis Center, Ohio)
Evan Dougherty (Jr., F, Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Connor Ford (Sr., F, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Gavin Gould (Sr., F, North Vancouver, B.C.)
Max Johnson (Sr., F, Lakeville, Minn.)
Brandon Kruse (Sr., F, Saline, Mich.)
T.J. Lloyd (So., D, Lloydminster, Sask.)
Carson Musser (Sr., D, Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Adam Pitters (So., F, Grosse Pointe, Mich.)
Brett Rich (Sr., G, Bowling Green, Ohio)
Zack Rose (So., G, Finance, Paradise, N.F.)
Taylor Schneider (Jr., F, Lakeville, Minn.)
Trevor St-Jean (Jr., F, Findlay, Ohio)
Tim Theocharidis (Jr., D, Scarborough, Ont.)
Justin Wells (Sr., D, North Canton, Ohio)
Cameron Wright (Sr., F, Newmarket, Ont.)

This season, Brandon Kruse tallied a team-high 33 points thus far, leading the WCHA as well as being fifth in the country. Kruse also has a team-high 22 assists, leading the WCHA and coming in at fourth in the nation. The rest of his stat line saw 11 goals along with one power play goal and a team-best +26.

Moving to Connor Ford, he had the second most points on the roster with 28 on the season. He also has a team-high 16 goals which leads the WCHA and is tied for second in the nation. Ford has been able to net a team-high six power play goals as well, tied for seventh in the nation. Additionally, Ford has 12 assists, three game-winner and a short-handed goal.

As for Will Cullen, he's totaled 22 points for the Falcons this season, tied for fourth on the team as well as being fourth in the nation among defensemen. Cullen's points have come on six goals and 16 assists, including one power play goal and two game-winners.

The Falcons will be back on the court this coming weekend to host Northern Michigan in the WCHA Quarterfinals. The series is set to range from March 12-14 with Friday and Saturday set for 7:07 p.m. puck drops and 5:07 p.m. on Sunday if needed. All games will be available to stream on FloHockey.

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