Nov. 4, 2009

UW’s Smith & Ramage Named Red Baron® WCHA Players of the Week for Nov. 3-9

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today announced it’s players of the week for the period Nov. 3-9, 2009. University of Wisconsin defenseman Brendan Smith was named the player of the week on defense, and Wisconsin defenseman John Ramage is rookie of the week.

Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Brendan Smith
Jr., D, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin defenseman Brendan Smith, whose strong play at both ends of the ice helped his team to a two-game sweep of visiting New Hampshire last weekend, has been chosen as the Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 3-9, 2009.

A 6-2, 190-pound junior from Mimico, Ontario and a draftee of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, Smith collected four assists, earned a +3 plus-minus rating and blocked four shots as the Badgers downed UNH 4-1 last Friday (Oct. 30) and 6-1 last Saturday (Oct. 31).

On Friday, Smith earned the primary assist on UW’s final goal in a 4-1 victory. He took two shots and was +1 in the contest. Then on Saturday, Smith collected three assists, including one on teammate Ben Grotting’s game-winning tally, took five shots on goal, and earned a +2 rating.   

Smith now has points in each of his five games played this season and leads the Badgers in scoring with seven assists and nine points.

Also nominated this week were: Patrick Wiercioch, D, DU; and Alex Kangas, G, UM.

Red Baron® WCHA Rookie of the Week
John Ramage
Fr., D, Wisconsin
John Ramage, a first-year defenseman at the University of Wisconsin, is the Red Baron® WCHA Rookie of the Week for Nov. 3-9, 2009 as a result of his efforts in a two-game sweep over visiting New Hampshire last weekend.

A 6-0, 195-pound freshman from St. Louis, Mo., Ramage scored the first two goals of his collegiate career, added an assist and recorded a series-best +6 plus/minus rating to help the Badgers to the back-to-back victories over the Wildcats.

Ramage scored the first goal of the weekend for either team at 5:43 of the second period last Friday (Oct. 30) for his first career tally. He took two shots and was a game-best +3 as the UW skated to a 4-1 victory.

Then last Saturday (Oct. 31), Ramage scored Wisconsin’s fourth goal at 7:18 of the third period and also earned an assist on the final tally as the Badgers won 6-1 over UNH. He again finished a game-best +3 and fired a pair of shots on goal.

After six games played this 2009-10 season, Ramage is tied for fourth in scoring overall among WCHA defensemen with two goals, three assists and five points.

Also nominated this week were: Adam Murray, G, DU; and Eriah Hayes, F, MSU.