Barker collects trio of honors as NCHA releases All-Conference Teams
WAUKESHA, Wis. – Braydon Barker had one of the most productive seasons in Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey history during his rookie campaign of 2017-18. His impressive play as the Falcons top blueliner was rewarded Thursday as he was named the NCHA Freshman of the Year for the 2017-18 season.
Barker (Red Deer, Alberta) added some other awards to his already impressive collegiate resume as he was named to the NCHA All-Conference Team and the All-Freshman Team. Barker was the only freshman in the league to earn All-Conference honors. He is the second player in program history to earn All-Conference recognition and the first to earn a major award or be selected to an All-Freshman team.
The blueliner led the Falcons with 24 points this year and recorded a program-record 18 assists. He ranks 11th nationally in points per game among defensemen and 13th nationally in points per game among freshmen.
When Barker was on the ice good things happened for the Falcons. He finished the year with +18 +/- rating. He proved to be a top-notch defensemen in helping the Falcons hold opponents to 2.55 goals per contest. In addition, Barker did a great job of staying out of the penalty box this season, being whistled just two times for four minutes in 25 games.
Barker joins Sam Aide (2008-09) as CUW Men's Hockey players to earn All-Conference honors. Aide was named to the All-MCHA during the Falcons first year as a program when he recorded 26 points in 27 games.
Barker helped lead the Falcons to a program-best 16 wins in 2017-18. CUW finished second in the NCHA South Division and tied for third in the overall standings, behind only Adrian and St. Norbert, two teams who spent most of the season atop the national polls. The Falcons also hosted an NCHA Harris Cup Playoffs series for the first time in program history.
2017-18 NCHA Player of the Year: Mathew Thompson, Adrian
2017-18 NCHA Freshman of the Year: Braydon Barker, Concordia Wisconsin
2017-18 NCHA Coach of the Year: Adam Krug, Adrian
2017-18 Men's NCHA All-Conference Team
Forward: Lucas DeBenedet, Northland
Forward: Tanner Froese, St. Norbert
Forward: Lane King, Lawrence
Forward: Taylor McCloy, Adrian
Forward: Hunter Stewart, Marian
Forward: Mathew Thompson, Adrian
Forward: Derek Thorogood, Marian
Defense: Braydon Barker, Concordia Wisconsin
Defense: Sean Campbell, St. Norbert
Defense: Cory Dunn, Adrian
Defense: Mark Whiteley, St. Scholastica
Goalie: T.J. Black, St. Norbert
Goalie: Louis-Philippe De Courcy, Lake Forest
2017-18 Men's NCHA All-Freshmen Team
Forward: Peter Bates, St. Norbert
Forward: Keegan Milligan, St. Norbert
Forward: Aaron O'Neill, Lake Forest
Defense: Braydon Barker, Concordia Wisconsin
Defense: Luke Davison, St. Norbert
Defense: Tim Faulkner, Aurora
Goalie: Josh Boyko, Aurora
