March 11, 2009
FAIRBANKS, AK – The accolades continue to roll in for Alaska Nanooks senior goalie and Hobey Baker candidate Chad Johnson, who Wednesday was named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s All-Conference First Team.
The honor comes as little surprise as the Calgary native led the league in goals-against average and saves percentage throughout the majority of the regular-season. Through 28 games, he compiled a 12-10-4 record with 1.69 GAA and .939 save percentage. Johnson’s four shutouts in CCHA play led the league until the final weekend of the regular season, when Notre Dame’s Jordan Pearce recorded his fifth blanking of the year.
He also captured the CCHA’s Perani Cup for the most points compiled through the regular-season conference games with 49.
Johnson becomes the second Nanook in as many seasons to earn the honor, following former defenseman and 2008 First Team honoree Tyler Eckford. He is the third Alaska skater to garner all-CCHA team honors joining Eckford and forward Bobby Andrews (1998-2002), who was a 2002 Second Team All-CCHA recipient.
The 6-3, 200-pound netminder is the eldest member of the First Team, as five sophomores make up the rest of the squad. Led by a pair of Michigan forwards, Aaron Palushaj and Louie Caporusso, Miami forward Carter Camper and defensemen Eric Gustafsson of Northern Michigan and Ian Cole of Notre Dame complete the league’s top team.
Three Notre Dame skaters lead the Second Team, including senior forwards Eric Condra and Christian Hanson and junior defenseman Kyle Lawson. Western Michigan’s Patrick Gallivan rounds out the frontline, while UNO’s junior rearguard Eddie DelGrosso and MSU goalie Jeff Lerg complete the backend.
2008-09 CCHA All-Conference Teams
First Team
Position Name Year School First Totals
Forward Carter Camper SO Miami 9 51
Forward Aaron Palushaj SO Michigan 8 49
Forward Louie Caporusso SO Michigan 8 47
Defense Erik Gustafsson SO Northern Michigan 7 40
Defense Ian Cole SO Notre Dame 5 36
Goaltender Chad Johnson SR Alaska 7 47
Second Team
Position Name Year School First Totals
Forward Erik Condra SR Notre Dame 2 28
Forward Christian Hanson SR Notre Dame 3 28
Forward Patrick Galivan SR Western Michigan 4 27
Defense Kyle Lawson JR Notre Dame 5 31
Defense Eddie DelGrosso JR Nebraska-Omaha 3 26
Goaltender Jeff Lerg SR Michigan State 2 23
Vote Values: 1st place = 5, 2nd place = 3, 3rd place = 1
Honorable Mention (next six point totals, regardless of position with first team votes in parentheses): Jordan Pearce, SR, G, Notre Dame, (2) 22; Dan Sexton, SO, F, Bowling Green, (1) 21; Chris Summers, JR, D, Michigan, (3) 20; Calle Ridderwall, SO, F, Notre Dame, 20; Chad Langlais, SO, D, Michigan, 16; John Albert, SO, F, Ohio State, 14.
Others receiving votes: Forwards — Pat Cannone, SO, Miami, 9; Corey Elkins, SR, Ohio State, 7; Dan Charleston, SR, Nebraska-Omaha, 6; Mark Olver, SO, Northern Michigan, 5; Brandon Svendsen, SR, Bowling Green, 5; Justin Mercier, SR, Miami, 4; Braden Walls, SR, Alaska, 1; Max Campbell, SO, Western Michigan, 1; Zac Dalpe, FR, Ohio State, 1. Defense — Kevin Roeder, SR, Miami, 12; Zach Redmond, SO, Ferris State, 10; Jeff Petry, SO, Michigan State, 8; Tyler Ludwig, JR, Western Michigan, 6; Matt Bartkowski, FR, Ohio State, 4; Chris Wideman, FR, Miami, 4; Steven Kaunisto, JR, Lake Superior; 3. Goaltenders — Brian Stewart, JR, Northern Michigan , 9; Billy Hogan, SO, Michigan, 4; Riley Gill, JR, Western Michigan, 2; Pat Nagle, So, Ferris State, 1.
