Complete All-MIAC Men's Hockey Team

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University's Austin Balko (Midland, Mich.) took the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference by storm this season, as the Cardinal freshman led all conference rookies in scoring, recording 18 points in the team's 16 MIAC games.

And Monday, the SMU freshman was recognized for his efforts. Balko was named to the MIAC All-Rookie Team, and was joined by sophomore Kevin Wentland (Columbia Heights, Minn.) as an honorable-mention All-MIAC selection.

Balko — the only first-year player in the conference to average more than a point-per-game — collected six goals and added a team-best 12 assists in league play, helping the Cardinals to a 5-9-2 MIAC record that included two wins over MIAC playoff finalist Concordia and a win and a tie against playoff-bound Gustavus and St. Thomas, respectively.

Wentland, meanwhile, scored a team-best eight conference goals, and added eight assists for 16 points.

The two also finished the 2010-11 season as the team's leading scorers in all games, as Wentland netted a career-high 12 goals and added 11 assists for 23 points in 25 games, while Balko chipped in seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points.

Hamline defenseman Chris Berenguer was named the MIAC's Player of the Year, while Concordia coach Chris Howe earned MIAC Coach of the Year honors.

As part of the conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC also announced the fifth annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for men's hockey, which included SMU's Nate Peterson (Cadillac, Mich.).