Men's Ice Hockey | March 07, 2017
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Western Michigan hockey goalie Ben Blacker has been named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference All-Rookie team.
Blacker is the first Bronco to earn All-Rookie honors since WMU joined the NCHC in 2013. The Oakville, Ontario native made 15 starts in NCHC play with a 10-4-1 record, a .912 save percentage and a 2.79 goals against average. Only conference stats factor into the voting by the league's head coaches.
He earned three NCHC Goalie of the Week awards after conference series and was also named the NCHC Rookie of the Month for December. Blacker is the fourth goalie in school history to earn All-Rookie honors. Frank Slubowski (2011-12), Riley Gill (2006-07) and Marc Magliarditi (1995-96) were all named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie team.
Western Michigan hosts Omaha this weekend to open the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Quarterfinals. Omaha's visit this weekend marks a program milestone, the first time in WMU's history it has hosted a playoff series in the NCHC. Due to Spring Break and a lower student turnout expected, the PNC Family Zone has been expanded and tickets start at just $15. To purchase head to wmubroncos.com/tickets or call 1-888-4-WMUTIX.
