April 14, 2009

2008-2009 ACHA D-II All-Americans in PDF

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Chris Joswiak and Jeremy Barber were named 2008-2009 ACHA D2 1st team All-Americans and Adam Thomas earned 2nd Team Honors as the ACHA handed out its post-season awards this week. All-Region Awards were also given out as Head Coach Paul Lowden earned his 2nd consecutive Regional Coach of the Year award.

Not only were the Panthers one of the leading offensive teams in the country this year, but the defense is what stepped up during their second consecutive run at the National Championship. Chris Joswiak, who posted a record of 27-2 on the year while allowing only 2.22 goals per game, was honored as an ACHA 1st Team All-American. He was joined on the first team by defenseman Jeremy Barber who was a first year player for the Panthers. Barber posted 17 goals and 22 assists in his first season on the ACHA level.

Adam Thomas, who had made the first team the last two seasons, was named to the second team this year even though his stats were even better for the 2008-2009 National Champions. Thomas posted 79 points on the year (41g and 38a) which puts him in 5th place all-time in DU history for points in a season.

The Central Region also announced their top players and joining Barber and Joswiak on the 1st team were Kevin Brojek and Adam Thomas. Brojek, a first year player from Sterling Heights, MI played an integral part to the Panthers defense and finished the season with 41 points (33a and 8g). Bobby Collar was named to the second team for is efforts as he led the Panthers in scoring for the second straight year finishing with 83 points during the 2008-2009 campaign.

Head Coach Paul Lowden earned his second consecutive Central Region Coach of the Year honors after leading the team to a school and ACHA record 44 wins compared to only four losses. The Panthers captured their 4th consecutive GMHL regular season and fourth consecutive GMHL tournament title as well on the way to earning back-to-back ACHA D-II National Championships.