Bjugstad and Wilcox earn WCHA honors

Gopher forward Nick Bjugstad and goalie Adam Wilcox were named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively.

Bjugstad, a junior from Blaine, scored two goals and had four assists in wins over Air Force and Boston College last weekend that lifted the Gophers to a Mariucci Classic championship.

Wilcox, a freshman from South St. Paul, stopped 50-of-51 shots for Minnesota as they went on to beat Air Force 4-0 and Boston College 8-1. Wilcox was also awarded the MVP of the Mariucci Classic and was named to the all-tournament team. This is Wilcox’s second Rookie of the Week award, having earned the honor in November after a stellar performance against Alaska Anchorage.

Minnesota is ranked No. 1 again after their performance in the Mariucci Classic. The blowout victory over previously No. 1 Boston College swayed many USCHO ranking voters to Minnesota as the Gophers captured 35 first place votes. The Eagles are ranked behind Minnesota this week at second overall but only received five first place votes.

The Gophers, at 13-3-3, will visit No. 3 Notre Dame next Tuesday.