KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team has had five student-athletes named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, with
Jacob Bauer,
Trevor Bishop,
Aidan Fulp,
Luke Grainger and
Daniel Hilsendager all receiving the honor.
The 2023 Academic All-District® Men's and Women's At-Large Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the athletic realm and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
An accountancy major with a 3.98 GPA, Bauer was a mainstay in the lineup for the Broncos this season. He played in 38 games, collecting seven points on two goals and five assists. The Mildord, Mich. native has been a NCHC Academic All-Conference member each year on campus.
Bishop played in 28 games for the Broncos, while maintaining a 3.85 GPA in business law. In those 28 games, Bishop tallied 16 shots, while also blocking four shots. Similar to Bauer, the Rochester Hills, Mich. native has been a NCHC Academic All-Conference selection each season on campus.
Serving as an assistant captain, Fulp has maintained a 4.0 GPA while studying exercise science. The Westfield, Ind. native posted 15 points on two goals and 13 assists, while also leading the team with 50 blocked shots. Fulp has been a NCHC Distinguished Scholar Athlete three times in his career and was a finalist for the league's Defensive Defenseman of the Year award.
Grainger has been a rising player for the Broncos, having a career year on the ice this past season. From Montreal, Quebec, Grainger holds a 3.76 GPA in finance and is a three-time NCHC Academic All-Conference selection. During the 2022-23 season, Grainger tallied a career-best 32 points on 12 goals and 20 assists. He also became the first Bronco to record six points in a game since 2000.
Paired with Bauer on defense, Hilsendager played in all 39 games this season while maintaining a 3.76 GPA in accountancy. A three-time NCHC Academic All-Conference selection, Hilsendager finished the 2022-23 campaign with seven points on two goals and five assists. He scored the game-winning goal to secure a series sweep of Colorado College back in February.
All five Broncos who were selected are now eligible for CSC Academic All-America voting.
