Minnesota Scene: Irish goalie Cale Morris named Big Ten's player of the year

Goalie Cale Morris of conference regular-season champion Notre Dame was named Big Ten player of the year and goalie of the year on Tuesday.

The other major awards were Penn State's Trevor Hamilton as defensive player of the year, Michigan State's Mitchell Lewandowski as freshman of the year and Ohio State's Steve Rohlik, a St. Paul native, as coach of the year.

The Big Ten also named its all-conference teams, as selected by coaches and media. The Gophers are represented by three players: forward Tyler Sheehy and defenseman Ryan Lindgren on honorable mention, and forward Casey Mittelstadt on the all-freshman team.

The All-Big first team: Cooper Marody, F, Michigan; Jake Evans, F, Notre Dame; Tanner Laczynski, F, Ohio State; Jordan Gross, D, Notre Dame; Hamilton; and Morris.

Randy Johnson

The WCHA announced its individual award winners, and Minnesota State Mankato had two honorees: Senior forward C.J. Suess of Forest Lake was named offensive player of the year, and forward Jake Jaremko of Nowthen, Minn., rookie of the year.

Northern Michigan's Grant Potulny, a former Gophers player and assistant coach, was named coach of the year.

Five athletes with Minnesota ties will compete at curling's world championships this month after winning U.S. titles last Saturday in Fargo.

Team Jamie Sinclair, which includes Sinclair, Alex Carlson and Monica Walker of St. Paul, will represent the U.S. at the women's world championships, which begin Saturday in North Bay, Ontario.

Team Greg Persinger, which includes Rich Ruohonen of Brooklyn Park and Colin Hufman of St. Paul, will play in the men's world championships March 31-April 8 in Las Vegas.

RACHEL BLOUNT