KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan dominated the National Collegiate Hockey Conference All-Rookie Team, which was announced by the league this afternoon. This is the third straight year WMU has had a representative on the All-Rookie Team (
Alex Bump, 2023-24, Ryan McAllister, 2022-23).
Hampton Slukynsky and
Joona Väisänen were on the seven-man team. They were joined by Sacha Boisvert (North Dakota), Austin Burnevik (St. Cloud State), Max Plante (Minnesota Duluth), Cullen Potter (Arizona State) and Colin Ralph (St. Cloud State).
Slukynsky was not only the best rookie goaltender, but he was the best overall netminder in the league throughout the conference season. He was a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie Team. He finished NCHC play with a 10-3-1 record to go along with a 2.04 goals against average and .915 save percentage. His GAA was the best in the conference.
The Warroad, Minn. native opened his NCHC career by making 31 saves in a victory over Omaha. He didn't slow down from there, making 90 saves over the next three games to help the Broncos go into the holiday break with a 6-1-1 conference record.
He was just as good in the back half of the season, guiding the Broncos to their first ever Penrose Cup. He went 8-2-0, allowing three or fewer goals in eight games. He also recorded his first career shutout on Jan. 25 against Miami and made a career high 33 saves in a win over Arizona State on Feb. 22.
On the season, the Los Angeles Kings draft pick is 11-5-1 with a 2.04 GAA and .920 save percentage. He has allowed just 35 goals and has made 401 total saves.
Väisänen was one of the best defensemen in the league this season, leading all rookie blue liners in points with 17. He had three goals and 14 assists in 24 conference games. He led the league with a +17 rating, while adding 14 blocked shots.
The Finnish defenseman recorded three points in NCHC play prior to the holiday break, notching assists in three different games. In the back half of the season, Väisänen took his game to another level, producing 14 points on three goals and 11 assists.
In sweeps of North Dakota and Miami, the Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick had four assists, which included his first multi-point game. Later in the season, he tallied the first two-goal game of his career in a win over Omaha. That included the game-winning goal in overtime.
To end the season, Väisänen produced four points over his last four games, notching a goal and three assists to secure the program's first ever Penrose Cup.
In 34 games this season, he has totaled 22 points on four goals and 18 assists. Along with that, he is +18 and has 27 blocked shots.
Slukynsky, Väisänen and the Broncos will host St. Cloud State this weekend in the NCHC Quarterfinals. Puck drop for Friday's series opener at Lawson Arena is set for 7 PM.
