University of Minnesota Athletics
Mike Vannelli Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
12/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
University of Minnesota senior defenseman Mike Vannelli (St. Paul, Minn.) has been named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week, following Minnesota’s two-game sweep at Michigan Tech last weekend. Vannelli led all players with four assists, notching two on each night to help the top-ranked Golden Gophers push their nation’s best unbeaten streak to 18 games.
In the 4-1 win on Friday, the St. Paul native got the helpers on Tyler Hirsch’s game-opening power-play goal and Tony Lucia’s marker later in the first period. For the game, he had one shot and was a +1. In Saturday’s 5-2 win, Vannelli assisted on Lucia’s goal to make it 2-0 and Ryan Stoa’s power-play game-winner with five seconds to go in the first period. For the game, he had one shot and was a +2. With his four-point weekend, Vannelli moved his totals to 4-17--21 to rank third on the team in points and second in assists. He has 10 points in the last six games (1-9--10).
The award is the second career Defensive Player of the Week honor for Vannelli.
In the 4-1 win on Friday, the St. Paul native got the helpers on Tyler Hirsch’s game-opening power-play goal and Tony Lucia’s marker later in the first period. For the game, he had one shot and was a +1. In Saturday’s 5-2 win, Vannelli assisted on Lucia’s goal to make it 2-0 and Ryan Stoa’s power-play game-winner with five seconds to go in the first period. For the game, he had one shot and was a +2. With his four-point weekend, Vannelli moved his totals to 4-17--21 to rank third on the team in points and second in assists. He has 10 points in the last six games (1-9--10).
The award is the second career Defensive Player of the Week honor for Vannelli.
Players Mentioned
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