COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Seven freshman phenoms have been honored by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), as the NCHC revealed its 2024-2025 All-Rookie Team on Tuesday. Five teams are represented on the seven-man squad, with two players each from St. Cloud State and Western Michigan.
 
North Dakota forward Sacha Boisvert and Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky were both unanimous All-Rookie Team selections this season, receiving the maximum 17 possible first-team votes. Joining Boisvert at forward are St. Cloud State’s Austin Burnevik (10 first-team votes), Minnesota Duluth’s Max Plante and Arizona State’s Cullen Potter, the latter two of which tied with 37 points and 8 first-team votes each for the final forward spot. WMU defenseman Joona Väisänen was a near unanimous selection, picking up 15 first-team votes, while St. Cloud State’s Colin Ralph rounds out the All-Rookie blue line with 7 first-team votes.
 
Boisvert (Trois-Rivières, Québec) led all NCHC rookies in conference play with 11 goals, while his 17 points in 23 NCHC games tied for fourth among rookies. His four game-winning goals in conference play tied for the NCHC lead among all skaters. The Chicago Blackhawks draft pick tallied 16 goals overall in 34 games to again lead NCHC freshmen and rank sixth among all NCHC skaters. Boisvert was a two-time NCHC Rookie of the Month and a four-time Rookie of the Week this season, which led all freshmen.
 
Burnevik (Blaine, Minn.) racked up 18 points in 24 NCHC games, which was third among freshmen. The Anaheim Ducks draft pick scored 10 goals in conference action, which trailed only Boisvert among rookies. Overall, Burnevik has 13 goals in 33 games this year, tied for second among NCHC freshmen. He also added 13 assists to give him 26 points overall on the season, also second among NCHC rookies. Burnevik was a two-time NCHC Rookie of the Week.
 
Plante (Hermantown, Minn.) led all NCHC rookies with 21 points in conference play, despite only playing 20 NCHC games. His 1.05 points per game was eighth among all skaters in NCHC action. The Detroit Red Wings draft pick buried seven goals and added 14 assists in conference play, with the 14 helpers tied for second among freshmen. In all games, Plante has 23 points (7g/16a) in 21 games after missing most of non-conference play with an injury. He was twice named Rookie of the Week this season.
 
Potter (Minneapolis, Minn.) potted nine goals in conference play, third among rookies behind Boisvert and Burnevik. The draft-eligible forward added six assists to total 15 points in 22 conference games. His 81 shots on goal led rookies in NCHC action. Overall on the season, Potter has scored 13 goals, tied with Burnevik for second among NCHC freshmen, and has 21 points in 32 games.
 
Väisänen (Kirkkonummi, Finland) was a rock on the blue line for the Penrose Cup champions, dishing out 14 assists in conference play, which was second among all NCHC freshmen. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect also scored three goals, including a game-winner, as he finished with 17 points in 24 NCHC games to tie for fourth among all defensemen in scoring. Väisänen led the league with a +17 plus/minus in conference play, as well. Overall, the Finn has 22 points (4g/18a) in 34 games this season with a +18 plus/minus, which leads all NCHC rookies. He was a two-time NCHC Defenseman of the Week this year and the February Rookie of the Month.
 
Ralph (Maple Grove, Minn.) has been a defensive stalwart on the Huskies blue line this season. The St. Louis Blues draft pick has a game-winning goal and seven assists for eight points in 33 games this season, missing only one game due to participation in the World Junior Championship. Six of his seven helpers came in conference play. Ralph has blocked 32 shots this season, which is third on the Huskies team.
 
Slukynsky (Warroad, Minn.) was stellar in net all season, backstopping WMU to the Penrose Cup while splitting time much of the year. In 14 conference starts, the Los Angeles Kings draft pick led the NCHC with a 2.04 goals-against average, while his .915 save percentage was fourth and tops among freshmen. Slukynsky posted a 10-3-1 record in NCHC play with one shutout and was a three-time Rookie of the Week. Overall, he’s started 17 games so far with an 11-5-1 record. His .920 save percentage and 2.04 GAA in all games both lead all NCHC freshmen, with the 2.04 GAA trailing only teammate Cameron Rowe among all NCHC netminders.
 
Voting for All-Rookie Team was conducted by the nine head coaches at each member institution and nine media members, one covering each member school. Coaches and media voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, awarding first-team votes for six players (three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender) and second-team votes for the other six selections. Three points were awarded for a first-team vote while one point was awarded for a second-team vote, with the most points at each position earning the honors. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players, making 17 first-place votes (51 points) the maximum a player can receive.
 
The NCHC will announce its All-Conference Teams on Wednesday and its individual award finalists on Thursday. Individual award winners will be announced at the annual NCHC Awards Celebration in Saint Paul, Minn. on Thursday, March 20 on the eve of the 2025 NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
 
2024-2025 NCHC All-Rookie Team
F: Sacha Boisvert, North Dakota – 51 points (17 first-team votes) unanimous
F: Austin Burnevik, St. Cloud State – 37 points (10)
F: Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth – 31 points (8)
F: Cullen Potter, Arizona State – 31 points (8)
D: Joona Väisänen, Western Michigan – 46 points (15)
D: Colin Ralph, St. Cloud State – 27 points (7)
G: Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan – 51 points (17) unanimous