GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota junior was one of three forwards named to the 2017-18 National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Preseason All-Conference Team, as selected by media who cover the conference. A total of 30 ballots were submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media.

Gersich is coming off of a breakout sophomore season in which he led North Dakota in points (37), goals (21) and shots on goal (153), all of which established new career highs. The Chaska, Minn., native earned 2016-17 NCHC All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades after leading the league with 14 goals in 24 conference games.

Gersich, a fifth-round pick (134th overall) of the Washington Capitals in 2014 NHL Entry Draft, was UND's first sophomore since Brock Nelson (2011-12) to reach the 20-goal plateau.

The remainder of the 2017-18 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team included Denver forwards Henrik Borgström and Troy Terry, Miami defenseman Louie Belpedio, St. Cloud State defenseman Jimmy Schuldt, and DU goaltender Tanner Jaillet.

Gersich and the Fighting Hawks will make their 2017-18 debut on Sept. 30 with a home exhibition game against the University of Manitoba. The regular season opens the following weekend with a two-game, non-conference series at Alaska Anchorage.

2017-18 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team
F: Henrik Borgström, So., Denver – 28 votes
F: Troy Terry, Jr., Denver – 15 votes
F: *Dylan Gambrell, Jr., Denver – 13 votes
F: Shane Gersich, Jr., North Dakota – 13 votes
D: *Louie Belpedio, Sr., Miami – 24 votes
D: Jimmy Schuldt, Jr., St. Cloud State – 14 votes
G: Tanner Jaillet, Sr., Denver – 27 votes

* 2016-17 Preseason All-Conference Team selection