Men's Hockey | 3/10/2016 9:07:00 AM

Mankato, Minn. --- The Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced its 2015-16 award recipients and six Minnesota State individuals have been selected for recognition.

Mavericks earning league honors were junior defenseman Casey Nelson (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.), senior forward Teddy Blueger (Riga, Latvia), senior forward Bryce Gervais (Battleford, Sask.), freshman forward Max Coatta (Minnetonka, Minn.), freshman defenseman Daniel Brickley (Sandy, Utah) and junior netminder Cole Huggins (Centennial, Colo.).

Nelson garnered two honors from the league: WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and All-WCHA First Team. An All-WCHA Second Team pick last year, Nelson led all league defensemen in /- ( 14), shots on goal (66) and tied for fourth in league scoring by defensemen (15). Twice named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week during the course of the 2015-16 campaign, Nelson ranks fourth on the Mavericks in scoring with 4-16--20 on the year. Nelson owns 12-46--58 in 94 career games and is tied for tenth on Minnesota State career defenseman scoring list (NCAA DI-era).

Blueger, who was named All-WCHA First Team, led the league in assists (21 in 28 GP) and finished second in the league scoring race (7-21--28). Named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week following a two-game league sweep over Alaska Anchorage (Nov. 27-28), Blueger leads the Mavericks in scoring with 10-23--33 in 36 games played this year and his 419 face-off wins rank tenth in the nation. Blueger has 30-76--106 in 150 career games as a Maverick and is tied for tenth on the school's career scoring list (NCAA DI-era). Blueger's 13 career game-winners stand tied for fourth all-time at Minnesota State.

Gervais, who was named All-WCHA Third Team, finished conference play ranking second in the WCHA in goals scored in conference games (13 in 28 GP). Named All-WCHA Second Team last year, Gervais leads Minnesota State in shots on goal (128) and stands fourth in /- ( 7). Gevais, who ranks second on the team in scoring with 14-8--22, ranks in the top five at Minnesota State for career goals (65/t-3rd), shorthanded goals (9/1st) and game-winning goals (11/5th) and has played in 158 consecutive games with the Mavericks.

Picked for the 2015-16 WCHA All-Rookie Team, Coatta finished the regular season tied for third in the WCHA in rookie scoring with 5-6--11 in 28 league games. He enters the postseason with 5-8--13 in 31 games played this year and the Mavericks own a 18-6-7 record in games in which he's suited up.

Also named to the 2015-16 WCHA All-Rookie Team, Brickley has posted 1-7--8 in 31 games as a freshman and his 48 shots on goal in 26 league games stand tied for the WCHA lead in shots on goal by rookie defensemen. His 8 stands third on the team. Brickley had 1-6--7 in 26 league games to tie for fourth in rookie defensemen scoring.

Huggins, who owns a 10-9-2 won-loss record, 1.94 goals against average and .912 save percentage on the year, constructed a league-leading goals against average of 1.46 this year and was declared the 2015-16 WCHA Goaltending Champion.

A total of nine Mavericks were named WCHA All-Academic. To qualify for the WCHA All-Academic Team, student-athletes must have completed one year of eligibility at present institution, prior to the current academic year and have a GPA of at least 3.0 for the previous two semesters or three quarters.

To qualify for the WCHA All-Academic Team, student-athletes must have completed one year of eligibility at present institution, prior to the current academic year and have a GPA of at least 3.0 for the previous two semesters or three quarters.

Sean Flanagan** (Jr., D, Kindersley, Sask.); Carter Foguth* (Jr., D, Fenton, Mich.); Cole Huggins** (Jr., G, Centennial, Ohio); Michael Huntebrinker** (Jr., F, Chesterfield, Mo,); Jon Jutzi*** (Sr., D, Tavistock, Ont.); Dylan Margonari*** (Sr., F, Greensburg, Pa.); Aaron Nelson* (So., G, Bismark, N.D.); Casey Nelson** (Jr., D, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.); Jordan Nelson** (Jr., F, Williston, N.D). *indicates number of times student-athlete has been named to team.

Ranked 16th in the country, Minnesota State hosts Lake Superior State this weekend in the first round of the WCHA play-offs.