BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – For the second consecutive month, Collin Saccoman has been named Western Collegiate Hockey Association Defenseman of the Month, as announced by conference officials on Thursday.
Saccoman, a junior defenseman from Stillwater, Minnesota who is majoring in criminal justice, earned WCHA Defenseman of the Month honors for December after tallying 17 blocked shots, one goal, four assists and five points in five games played as the Lakers (11-6-1, 6-5-1-0 WCHA) went 4-1. Saccoman's 17 blocked shots ranked fourth among WCHA defensemen (tied for fourth in the nation) and his 3.40 blocked shots per game ranked second (fifth in the nation). In addition, he ranked tied for third among WCHA defensemen in points per game (1.00), tied for fourth in points by a WCHA defenseman, tied for fifth in assists by a WCHA defenseman and first in goals per shot on goal percentage (.200) by a WCHA blueliner.
On the month, he recorded two multi-point games. Saccoman tallied one goal and one assist for two points in a 4-1 win at Alaska on Dec. 7, and two assists in a 4-3 overtime win over Michigan State in the Great Lakes Invitational Semifinals on Dec. 30. The Lakers were undefeated (3-0) on the month when Saccoman tallied a point.
Saccoman was named the WCHA Defenseman of the Week on Wednesday after his performance in the GLI. He earned GLI All-Tournament Team honors as he helped Lake Superior State win the GLI for the first time in program history. He led the nation with 11 blocked shots from Dec. 28-Dec. 31, and he recorded two assists and a +4 rating as the Lakers defeated Michigan State in the semifinals and Michigan Tech 6-3 in the GLI Championship Game on New Year's Eve. Seven of his blocked shots came against Michigan State.
Lake Superior State returns to action in a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Alaska Anchorage on Friday and Saturday.
The next Laker home series is against Alabama Huntsville on Jan. 11-12. Friday, Jan. 11 is Buck-A-Brat Night at Taffy Abel Arena. All game long, fans will be able to purchase brats for just $1 each. Tickets may be purchased at the Norris Center Ticket Office or online. For additional ticket information, call (906) 635-2602.
On Friday, Jan. 25, Laker Hockey will host the ninth annual 'White Out' domestic and sexual violence awareness night, in partnership with the Diane Peppler Center and the Sexual Violence Prevention Team of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The first 1,000 fans to enter the Taffy Abel Arena will receive a free shirt to wear at the game.
Be sure to follow the Lakers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information and behind-the-scenes action.
Watch the highlight video from the GLI Championship Game below.