For the Gazette

MADISON  – Senior Zach Zech (South Lyon, MI) pocketed WIAC Player of the Year honors to highlight the awards bestowed on the UW-Stevens Point men’s hockey team on March 24.  Zech also earned All-WIAC first-team laurels, along with fellow senior Colin Raver (Bartlett, IL).  

Steven Quagliata (Bartlett, IL) and Ryan Orgel (Los Angeles, CA) received honorable mention honors. Tristan Conrad (Lockport, IL) picked up WIAC All-Sportsmanship team accolades.

Zech becomes the fifth Pointer to earn WIAC Player of the Year honors in the last eight seasons. He also repeats as a first-team selection and grabs his third-straight league honor. 

This season, he tied for the team lead with seven assists and was second with 11 pointsHe had a seven-game point streak, Feb. 12 – March 8, including a season-best three-point night in a win against UW-Stout.  Zech was named WIAC Athlete of the Week for the week of Feb. 22-28. He recently signed a contract with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL.

Raver earns his first career first-team honor and second career league award. He led the Pointers in scoring this season with 12 points. His seven assists tied Zech for the team lead, and he tied for the team lead with five goals. Raver had points in nine different games, including a season-high three in UWSP’s win over UW-Stout.

Quagliata nabs his fourth league honor – the third time as an honorable mention selection. He tallied seven points on the season while being limited to eight games on ice. He had five assists and notched a point in six games.

Orgel grabs his first conference honor. This year, he tied for the team lead with five goals and added four assists. He racked up three different two-point nights, including a two-goal outing in the WIAC Tournament quarterfinal victory over Northland.

Conrad earns all-sportsmanship team honors after skating in eight games this season. He recorded three points, one each in consecutive games, Feb. 26 – March 5. His two goals this season were a career best.

UWSP finished the 2020-21 season with a 7-4-1 record.  The Pointers reached the WIAC Tournament championship game for the seventh consecutive season.