COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- In addition to enjoying success on the ice, National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) players are also having success in the classroom, as 117 student-athletes have been named to the 2022-23 NCHC Academic All-Conference Team. Fourteen Western Michigan student-athletes were among the names listed, including seven being named NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes. 

To be eligible for the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team, a student-athlete must compile a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average or better, while having completed at least one full academic year at his current institution. Student-athletes that have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better are honored as NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes, in addition to Academic All-Conference.

While freshmen and first-year transfers, including graduate transfers, are not currently eligible for the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team or Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recognition (due to not having a full year at their current school), those freshmen and transfers that achieve a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year will be added to the Academic All-Conference Team over the summer. Similarly, any freshmen or first-year transfers who compile a 3.5 GPA or better will be named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.

WMU's Distinguished Scholar-Athletes included: Jacob Bauer, Trevor Bishop, Aidan Fulp, Luke Grainger, Daniel Hilsendager, Jason Polin and Tim Washe. The other seven members earning Academic All-Conference honors were: Chad Hillebrand, Cam Knuble, Hugh Larkin, Jamie Rome, Max Sasson, Wyatt Schingoethe and Dylan Wendt. 

The 2022-23 NCHC Senior Scholar-Athlete Award, chosen from senior Distinguished Scholar-Athletes, will be announced at the annual NCHC Awards Celebration, which will be held at the St. Paul Event Center on Thursday, March 16 in Saint Paul, Minn. NCHC All-Conference and All-Rookie Teams, along with NCHC individual award finalists, will be announced the week prior from March 7-9.