Turris, McBain, McDonagh Honored by WCHA
March 20, 2008 | Men's Hockey
Wisconsin men's hockey freshman forward Kyle Turris was named All-WCHA Third Team and All-WCHA Rookie Team, sophomore defenseman Jamie McBain was chosen All-WCHA Third Team and freshman defenseman Ryan McDonagh made the WCHA All-Rookie Team at the 2008 WCHA Awards Banquet, held at the RiverCentre on Thursday.
Turris, the UW's leading scorer with 22 assists and 33 points, is in line to become just the fourth freshman in UW history to lead the Badgers in scoring, joining Joe Pavelski (2004-05), Mike Eaves (1974-75) and Dennis Olmstead (1972-73) in a select group.
Turris' 33 points in all games shares eighth in the WCHA, while his 0.97 points per game rank seventh among league players and ranks ninth in the nation among rookies. In WCHA action, Turris shared the team lead with 19 points on six goals and 13 assists in 26 games played. His total was tied for 16th among all skaters and ranked third among WCHA rookies.
Turris becomes the first Badger rookie since Ryan Suter in 2003-04 to be chosen to one of the three WCHA all-conference teams. Suter was also a third-team selection that year.
Among the awards won during the season by the New Westminster, B.C., native are a WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, as well as CSTV/Commissioners' Choice National Rookie of the Month for October. He also led Team Canada in scoring with four goals and four assists as the Canadians won gold at the 2008 World Junior Championship.
McBain, the UW's leading scorer on the blue line with 18 assists and 21 points, earns his second WCHA year-end honor after making the 2006-07 All-WCHA Rookie Team. His 21 points overall tied him for fourth among league defenseman in scoring, while in WCHA action, McBain's 16 points (2 goals, 14 assists) also tied him for fourth among league defenseman.
In addition, the Fairbault, Minn., native led the Badgers with a plus-11 rating. He also skated for Team USA at the 2008 World Junior Championship.
McDonagh, who finished the season with five goals and 12 points from the blue line, gives the Badgers their fourth WCHA All-Rookie Team defenseman in five years. The Arden Hills, Minn., native finished tied for third among WCHA rookie defenseman in scoring, while leading all rookie rear guards with five goals and ranking fifth in the league among all defensemen in the category. In WCHA games, McDonagh's three goals and seven points ranked fourth among league rookie defensemen.
McDonagh, coupled with Turris' inclusion on the WCHA All-Rookie Team, makes it three of the last four seasons that two Badgers have been named to the squad (Robbie Earl and Ryan Suter were on the 2003-04 team, while Joe Pavelski and Kyle Klubertanz were named to the 2004-05 team.).
