March 10, 2006

Wayne State University senior defenseman Steve Kovalchik (Riverview, Mich./Omaha Lancers) was named to the Second Team All-CHA squad during Thursday nights College Hockey America awards presentation held at the Hall of Legends in Ford Field.

Kovalchik finished in a tie-for-second among CHA blueliners with 11 assists in 20 games and was tied-for-fifth in league scoring among defensemen with 12 points.

He becomes the third WSU blueliner named to the CHA All-League Second Team joining Tyler Kindle (2000-01) and Keith Stanich (2002-03).

Kovalchik will tie the school record for career games played (141) this evening as the Warriors battle Alabama-Huntsville in a CHA quarterfinal contest at 7:35 p.m. in the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum.

Complete Listing of the 2005-06 CHA Award Winners:

1st Team

F-Sean Bentivoglio, Niagara
F-Luke Erickson, Bemidji State
F-Bruce Mulherin, Alabama-Huntsville
D-Jeremy Schreiber, Alabama-Huntsville
D-Andrew Martens, Bemidji State
G-Scott Munroe, Alabama-Huntsville

2nd Team

F-Eric Ehn, Air Force
F-Ted Cook, Niagara
F-Les Reaney, Niagara
D-Steve Kovalchik, Wayne State
D-Michael Mayra, Air Force
G-Jeff Van Nynatten, Niagara

All-Rookie Team

F-Ted Cook, Niagara
F-Chris Margott, Robert Morris
F-Les Reaney, Niagara
F-Tyler Scofield, Bemidji State
D-Michael Mayra, Air Force
D-Cody Bostock, Bemidji State

Easton Three-Star Awards

Alabama-Huntsville-Bruce Mulherin
Bemidji State-Luke Erickson
Niagara-Sean Bentivoglio
Robert Morris-Christian Boucher
Air Force-Josh Schaffer
Wayne State-Derek Bachynski

CHA Easton Three-Star Player of the Year

Bruce Mulherin, Alabama-Huntsville

Student-Athlete of the Year

Brooks Turnquist, Air Force

Co-Rookies of the Year

Ted Cook, Niagara
Les Reaney, Niagara

Co-Players of the Year

Scott Munroe, Alabama-Huntsville
Jeff Van Nynatten, Niagara

Coach of the Year

Dave Burkholder, Niagara