My WCHA ballot

It's a tradition like no other. It's the time of year when several college-hockey writers unveil their all-conference ballot selections and wait to be pummeled by the fans. This year was tough, and several very good players were left off my -- and others' -- ballots. So here it is. Release the hounds!

FIRST TEAM

F-Matt Frattin, North Dakota

F-Jack Connolly, Minnesota Duluth

F-Jason Zucker, Denver

D-Justin Schultz, Wisconsin

D-Jake Gardiner, Wisconsin

G-Aaron Dell, North Dakota

SECOND TEAM

F-Mike Connolly, Minnesota Duluth

F-Justin Fontaine, Minnesota Duluth

F-Drew Shore, Denver

D-Kurt Davis, Minnesota State

D-Chay Genoway, North Dakota

G-Kent Patterson, Minnesota

THIRD TEAM

F-Jason Gregoire, North Dakota

F-Matt Ambroz, Nebraska-Omaha

F-Tyler Johnson, Colorado College

D-Ben Youds, Minnesota State

D-Eric Olimb, Nebraska-Omaha

G-John Faulkner, Nebraska-Omaha

ROOKIE TEAM

F-Jason Zucker, Denver

F-Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College

F-Mark Zengerle, Wisconsin

D-Justin Faulk, Minnesota Duluth

D-David Makowski, Denver

G-Sam Brittain, Denver

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Matt Frattin, North Dakota

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Jason Zucker, Denver

COACH OF THE YEAR

Dean Blais, Nebraska-Omaha

Like I said, a lot of tough choices here. Players who got left off who deserved -- and got -- close consideration for one of the top-three teams include, among others: Craig Smith (UW), Drew LeBlanc (SCSU) and Matt Read (BSU); Matt Donovan (DU), Cade Fairchild (UM) and Ben Blood (UND) on defense; and Sam Brittain (DU) and Scott Gudmandson (UW) in goal. Rookies on the outside looking in include: J.T. Brown (F-UMD), Nick Jensen (D-SCSU).

As for the individual awards, I think they were pretty much no-brainers. Frattin was simply clutch all year and is tied for the national lead in goals. Zucker has 20 goals (the Mavs hope that number doesn't change this weekend) and might have had some competition from Schwartz had Schwartz stayed healthy. Blais seems like a lock for best coach. Everyone knows he's great but it's no easy jump, joining the WCHA, and the red Mavs finished third.