April 22, 2009
Three 'Cats Pick Up MiCHO Awards
Walt Kyle
MARQUETTE, Mich. – MichiganCollegeHockey.com (MiCHO) announces its award winners for the 2008-09 season and three Northern Michigan University Wildcats were selected. Walt Kyle was tabbed as the MiCHO Coach of the Year, Erik Gustafsson as the MiCHO Defenseman of the Year and Brian Stewart as the MiCHO Goaltender of the Year.
Kyle just concluded his seventh season behind the NMU bench as he led the team to a 19-17-5 overall record. The ‘Cats advanced to Joe Louis Arena and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Tournament for the sixth time in Kyle’s tenure and is currently 141-121-26 with the ‘Cats.
Gustafsson was named to the CCHA’s All-Conference First Team and was named the CCHA’s Best Offensive Defenseman for the 2008-09 season. He was also a second team All-American selection. For the 2008-09 season, Gustafsson tied for second in the conference with 22 assists in CCHA action. Gustafsson led all CCHA defensemen with 25 points (3-22). Nationally, Gustafsson ended the 2008-09 season ranked 10th in defensemen scoring with 34 points (4-30).
Stewart was 14-13-3 for the ‘Cats this past season. He ended the 2008-09 campaign with a 2.32 goal-against average and a .925 save-percentage.
Gustafsson and Stewart were also selected to the All-MiCHO First Team. Teammate Mark Olver was a second team pick. Olver ended the season with a team-high 35 points on 16 goals (team high) and 19 assists.
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