Mavericks' Johns earns WCHA academic honors
Sophomore David Backes named third-team All-WCHA
By Shane Frederick
Free Press Staff Writer
ST. PAUL — Steven Johns completed his Minnesota State University hockey career last week. The defenseman compiled eight goals and 70 assists in 142 games.
This spring, Johns will complete his Minnesota State academic career, compiling a 3.85 GPA in international business and management.
On Thursday, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association recognized Johns for both careers, naming him Student-Athlete of the Year during the conference's awards banquet.
"It's really meaningful," said Johns, a Cranbrook, British Columbia, native. "You don't expect to get recognized for the hard work you put in on and off the ice.
"It's sad that only one guy gets (the award) because a lot of guys deserve it. It's a challenge to do it."
Johns, an assistant captain this season, is a three-time member of the conference's All-Academic Team. He was also a nominee for the national Hockey Humanitarian Award and organized MSU's Goals for Kids hockey scholarship fund.
Johns said will get his degree in May. He said he plans to explore playing professional hockey in Europe next season.
Also honored Thursday was Maverick sophomore forward David Backes, who was named third-team All-WCHA.
An All-Rookie Team selection last year, Backes made third-team all-conference after scoring 17 goals and assisting on 23 others and compiling 28 points in conference play.
Colorado College junior forward Marty Sertich, who led the conference in scoring, was named WCHA Player of the Year. His teammate, senior defenseman Mark Stuart was named Defensive Player of the Year.
Denver freshman forward Paul Stastny was named Rookie of the Year and his coach, George Gwozdecky, was named Coach of the Year.
WCHA co-champions Colorado College and Denver dominated the All-WCHA first team, as Sertich was joined by two teammates, forward Brett Sterling and goaltender Curtis McElhinney, and Denver defensemen Matt Carle and Brett Skinner.
The second team featured Stuart and Michigan Tech's Lars Helminen on defense, Wisconsin goaltender Bernd Bruckler and forwards Gabe Gauthier (Denver), Evan Schwabe (Minnesota-Duluth) and Robbie Earl (Wisconsin).
The third team consisted of a group of junior-hockey teammates at forward, Backes and Minnesota's Ryan Potulny and Danny Irmen, as well as defensemen Tom Gilbert (Wisconsin) and Matt Jones (North Dakota) and goalie Cam Ellsworth (Michigan Tech).
Despite scoring 15 goals, Minnesota State's Ryan Carter was left off the All-Rookie Team. That group featured Stastny and forwards Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin) and Travis Zajac (North Dakota), defensemen Alex Goligoski (Minnesota) and Kyle Klubertanz (Wisconsin) and goalie Nathan Lawson (Alaska-Anchorage).
Minnesota State tied with Denver for the most players on the WCHA All-Academic Team with 13. Mavericks included Backes, Johns, Brock Becker, Chad Brownlee, Chris Clark, Lucas Fransen, Adam Gerlach, Kurtis Kisio, Jeff Marler, Ryan McKelvie, Travis Morin, Kyle Nixon and Rob Rankin.