UW-Eau Claire's Faber Voted Women's Player of the Year
February 24, 2011

The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that UW-Eau Claire forward Kristin Faber (Austin, Minn. / Austin HS) has been voted the 2011 Women's Player of the Year by the league coaches. Faber recorded 23 points in 20 conference games while being a focal point in opponents strategy to beat the Blugolds.

"Kristin has been a dominant player in this league since she started four years ago," said UW-Eau Claire head coach Mike Collins. "She has been a great team leader and she makes everyone around her a better hockey player."

Faber put together a remarkable season as a goal scorer in the NCHA, posting 16 goals in conference play. That total ranks among the best all-time, and it was accomplished while her team ranked seventh in goals for. A significant player in the NCHA points race all year long, her point total of 23 ended up as the third best. Faber had five multi-point games on the season, four of which were multi-goal games. Her top individual statistical performances on the season came when she had a hat trick against rival UW-Stevens Point on January 21st and a two goal, one assist outing against Concordia-Wisconsin on February 4th.

On the national level, Faber was among the highest ranks in goals per game and game-winning goals. Her 20 total goals in 25 games played ranked third in the country through the end of the regular season, and her four game-winners were good for 11th.

The coaches also voted for Coach of Year and UW-River Falls' Joe Cranston was the 2011 winner. Cranston guided the Falcons to an undefeated regular season and the greatest win total in school history at 22-0-3. UW-River Falls locked up the regular season NCHA championship with a full weekend remaining on the schedule. This is the 4th Coach of the Year award for Cranston.

Also announced today were the 2011 All-NCHA selections, and it was league champion UW-River Falls leading the way with four players being voted to the team. Senior forward Jessica Thompson (Shoreview, Minn.) was named to her second All-NCHA team, while fellow-forward Kait Mason (Eagan, Minn.) achieved the honor in her freshman season. Mason's 26 conference points made her the 2011 NCHA scoring leader. A pair of senior defensemen rounded out this year's group for UW-River Falls: Kayleigh Bell (Stillwater, Minn.) and Lauren Conrad (Lino Lakes, Minn.).

Other notable selections included junior forward Erin Marvin (Shoreview, Minn.) of UW-Stevens Point and Kelly Salis (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) of Adrian, both whom were named to their second consecutive All-NCHA teams. And in a year that featured a dozen outstanding freshmen performances, Lauren Straus (Henderson, Nev.) and Kaley Gibson (Glendale, Ariz.) of St. Norbert, and Emily Michelin (Highland, Mich.) of Adrian joined UWRF's Mason as freshmen earning league honors.

For the first time, an All-Rookie team was selected by the NCHA coaches. The inaugural picks were highlighted by Mason, Straus and Michelin, who also were named All-NCHA. St. Norbert had the most selections to the All-Rookie team with two. Joining Straus was defenseman Emma Agen (Stockholm, Sweden), who had eight points in 17 games for the Green Knights.
Full All-NCHA team / Honorable Mention / All-Rookie team

2011 Women's All-NCHA
FORWARDS
Kristin Faber, Sr, UW-Eau Claire (09, 10)
Sarah Luberda, Sr, Concordia-Wis.
Erin Marvin, Jr, UW-Stevens Point (10)
Kait Mason, Fr, UW-River Falls
Lauren Straus, Fr, St. Norbert
Jessica Thompson, Sr, UW-River Falls (09)

DEFENSEMEN
Kayleigh Bell, Sr, UW-River Falls
Lauren Conrad, Sr, UW-River Falls
Allie Pullar, Sr, UW-Superior
Kelly Salis, Jr, Adrian (10)

GOALTENDERS
Kaley Gibson, Fr, St. Norbert
Emily Michelin, Fr, Adrian

(08) Indicates previous All-NCHA selection year