KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan freshman forward Alex Bump was announced as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's Rookie of the Month this evening after six strong games in February. 

Bump is the first WMU freshman to win the league's Rookie of the Month award since Ryan McAllister in November of 2023. The Broncos have had at least one Rookie of the Month in three straight seasons (Bump 2023-24, McAllister 2022-23, Max Sasson 2021-22). 

During the month of February, Bump tied for the league lead in goals with five and was second in the NCHC with nine points. He also had four assists, one game-winning goal and a +3 rating. 

The Prior Lake, Minn. native had at least one point in five of his six games and tallied a pair of three-point games. Early in the month, he helped the Broncos pick up a 6-1 victory over Omaha with a two goal, one assist performance. In that game, he tallied the primary assist on the game-winning goal and had two goals in the third period. 

His other three-point night came in the national spotlight with CBS Sports Network televising the WMU versus St. Cloud State contest on Feb. 23. Bump scored or assisted on three of the team's four goals, including his game-winning goal in overtime. 

To secure a 4-3 victory, the young winger used a nice toe-drag move to create some space in the middle of the ice and buried a shot by SCSU goaltender Isak Posch. 

On the season, Bump has been one of the nation's best freshman. In 30 games, he has 27 points on 11 goals and 16 assists. All three of those marks are top-20 in the conference and top five among rookies in the league.  

Bump and the Broncos have another pivotal series coming up, as the squad travels to North Dakota to square off with the Fighting Hawks. Western Michigan swept UND at Ralph Engelstad Arena last season. 

The series opener is set for Friday, March 1 at 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Saturday's series finale will return to NCHC TV at 7 p.m.