Warrior tops all-conference list

WASILLA — Wasilla head coach Bill Sturdevant had a simple way to describe the choice of Trent Wohlers as the North Star Conference Player of the Year.

“No brainer.”

Wohlers — Wasilla’s hard-hitting, sharp-shooting, goal-scoring forward — was named the NSC’s top player during the conference tournament in Soldotna last week.

“We kind of saw it coming at the beginning of the year, and he put up big numbers all year,” Sturdevant said.

Wohlers was one of four players representing the NSC champions on the All-NSC first-team.

“Even he’ll tell you, he couldn’t do it without his teammates,” Sturdevant said. “He’s playing with a lot of good players.”

But Wohlers’ overall production couldn’t be denied.

Wohlers topped the 50-point mark during the regular season, Sturdevant said, and became a much more physical player as a junior.

“He was a physical force this year,” Sturdevant said.

Senior forward Jade Johnston and sophomore blueliners Chancie Hanson and Michael Johnston joined Wohlers on the first team. Goalie Chris Yaskus was named to the second team.

“They were all top players all year,” Sturdevant said about the group.

Wasilla finished 9-1-0 in NSC play during the regular season, and won consecutive games during the conference tournament to win the North Star title. Wasilla opened with a 5-0 win over Soldotna in the conference semifinals, and cruised to a 7-1 win over Kenai Central in the championship game.

Palmer also placed five players on the all-conference teams.

Seniors Will Rauchenstein and Jonas Naegele, junior Piers LaFrance and sophomore Ivan Good were each named first-team for the Moose.

Junior Stephen Acher earned second-team honors.

Seniors Lance Nezaticky and Braden Carter and freshman Luke Moma represented Colony on the second-team list.

All-North Star

Conference team

Player of the year: Trent Wohlers, Wasilla.

Coach of the year: Buck Laukitis, Homer.

First-team: Chancie Hanson, Wasilla; Michael Johnston, Wasilla; Jade Johnston, Wasilla; Trent Wohlers, Wasilla; Will Rauchenstein, Palmer; Ivan Good, Palmer; Jonas Naegele, Palmer; Piers LaFrance, Palmer; Zack Zulkanycz, Kenai; Sean Endsley, Soldotna; Jenna Redford, Soldotna.

Second team/honorable mention: Chris Yaskus, Wasilla; Stephen Acher, Palmer; Brady Perkins, Kenai; Justin Hermann, Kenai; Morgan Cunningham, Kenai; Dawson Pearson, Soldotna; Nick Pokryfki, Soldotna; Lance Nezaticky, Colony; Luke Moma, Colony; Braden Carter, Colony; Carson Duggar, Homer; Russ Merritt, Homer; Robert Lewis, Homer.

Good sports awards: Adam Spencer, Wasilla; Thomas Morino, Palmer; Brady Perkins, Kenai; Jenna Redford, Soldotna; Alex Conrad, Homer; Luke Eckert, Homer.