University of North Dakota Athletics

ST.  PAUL, Minn.--The University of North Dakota's Brandon Bochenski, Zach Parise, David Hale and Andy Schneider have been named to the 2002-03 All-WCHA team it was announced earlier today at the annual WCHA Awards Ceremony at Landmark Center in Saint Paul, Minn. The league awards presentation marks the kickoff of the 2003 Kellogg's WCHA Final Five, set for today through Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.

Bochenski, a sophomore from Blaine, Minn., was named to the All-WCHA Second Team. He heads into the Final Five tied with Colorado College's Peter Sejna tied for the national lead in goal scoring with 34, the most by a Fighting Sioux since Lee Goren led the NCAA with 34 in 1999-00. Sejna, the nation's leading scorer, was named WCHA Player of the Year.

Freshman Zach Parise was named to the All-WCHA Third Team, as well as the league's all-rookie team. The native of Faribault, Minn., leads UND with 61 points and leads the entire NCAA in freshmen scoring. He enters this weekend ranked fourth in the national scoring race, and his 61 points are the third-most by a rookie in Fighting Sioux history. Minnesota's Thomas Vanek took WCHA Rookie of the Year honors.

Joining Parise on third team were UND defensemen David Hale and Andy Schneider. Hale, a Colorado Springs, Colo., native, was named to the team despite having missed the past 16 games due to illness. He has eight points in 25 games this season.

Schneider, who hails from Grand Forks, ranks third on the Sioux in scoring with 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points. His 11 goals are tied for the sixth-most by a defensemen in school history.

11 Fighting Sioux athletes were also named to the All-WCHA Academic Team at the awards ceremony, including repeat honorees Ryan Hale, Jason Notermann and Tyler Palmiscno. Also named to the all-academic squad were Ryan Connelly, Nick Fuher, Quinn Fylling, Matt Jones, David Lundbohm, James Massen, Andy Schneider and Kevin Spiewak. UND's 11 selections were tied with Alaska Anchorage and Denver for the most in the league.

Below is a complete list of the 2002-03 award winners.

WCHA Player of the Year - Peter Sejna, Colorado College

WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year - Tom Preissing, Colorado College

WCHA Co-Defensive Player of the Year - Joe Cullen, Colorado College

WCHA Co-Defensive Player of the Year - Aaron MacKenize, Denver

WCHA Rookie of the Year - Thomas Vanek, Minnesota

WCHA Coach of the Year - Troy Jutting, Minnesota State

2002-03 All-WCHA First Team

2002-03 All-WCHA Second Team

2002-03 All-WCHA Third Team

2002-03 All-WCHA Rookie Team