UND's Caggiula earns NCHC preseason all-conference nod

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota senior forward Drake Caggiula, who led the team in scoring last season, was one of three forwards named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s (NCHC) 2015 Preseason All-Conference Team on Tuesday.

The team was selected by the media, with 30 ballots submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media.

Caggiula earned second-team All-NCHC honors in 2014-15 after tallying a team-leading and career-high 36 points (18 goals, 18 asssts) in 42 games. During conference play, the Whitby, Ontario, native tied for the league lead with 13 goals and finished with 22 points. He went on to earn NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team honors after leading all players with three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in two games while leading UND to its second consecutive NCAA Frozen Four berth.

Caggiula’s junior season also included career highs in power-play goals (4), short-handed goals (3), game-winning goals (5) and plus/minus (plus-12).

The other forwards on the preseason all-conference team included the Denver duo of junior Trevor Moore and sophomore Danton Heinen. Defensemen Andy Welinski of Minnesota Duluth and Matthew Caito of Miami, along with UMD goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo, rounded out the squad.

NCHC 2015 Preseason All-Conference Team
F – Trevor Moore, Denver, Jr. – 21 votes
F – Danton Heinen, Denver, So. – 20 votes
F – Drake Caggiula, North Dakota, Sr. – 17 votes
D – Andy Welinski, Minnesota Duluth, Sr. – 22 votes
D – Matthew Caito, Miami, Sr. – 10 votes
G – Kasimir Kaskisuo, Minnesota Duluth, So. – 14 votes

Caggiula and North Dakota hit the ice for the first time in 2015-16 on Oct. 3 when they host the University of Manitoba in exhibition action at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m.