Zucker Named WCHA Rookie Of The Year

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) today announced that Wild prospect Jason Zucker was selected as WCHA Rookie of the Year and named to the All-WCHA Second Team. Minnesota's second round pick (59th overall) in last year's NHL Entry Draft is currently in his freshman year at the University of Denver.

Zucker led all first-year conference players in scoring, and finished third among all WCHA players, with 36 points (20-16=36) in 28 games this season. The native of Las Vegas, Nev., made a strong bid to become just the second freshman in the 59-year history of the WCHA to win a scoring title.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward was one of only two players to score 20 goals in WCHA action this season. Zucker ranked second nationally among rookies with 1.12 points-per-game, had 12 multi-point games and tallied 14 points (4-10=14) during a career-high nine-game point streak.

Just one week ago, Zucker was selected as the Hockey Commissioners' Association National Rookie of the Month for February after leading all NCAA rookies with 12 points (3-9=12) and a +7 rating. He was also named WCHA Rookie of the Week twice this season.

Denver will host Minnesota State in a WCHA playoff series this weekend in an attempt to reach the Final Five at Xcel Energy Center beginning March 17.