Wisconsin Badgers goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens (Photo by David Stluka)
Wisconsin women’s hockey players Ann-Renee Desbiens, Annie Pankowski and Courtney Burke were each named 2016 CCM Division 1 Women’s Hockey All-Americans.
Desbiens was named a first-team All-American on Thursday at the NCAA Frozen Four Banquet, while Pankowski and Burke were each named to the second-team. All three Badgers earned their first All-America accolades of their respected careers.
Desbiens has had a record breaking season, shutting out opponents in 21 games this season. Desbiens holds the NCAA single-season shutout record, as well as the record for the most consecutive shutout minutes. A top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, Desbiens leads the nation in goals-against average (0.71) and save percentage (.962). She was earlier named WCHA Player of the Year and the WCHA Final Face-Off Most Outstanding Player, as well as being honored with All-WCHA First Team accolades.
Burke has been a force on the Badgers’ blue line this season, as her 0.87 points per contest ranks third among the nation’s defenders. Burke was named to the WCHA Final Face-Off All-Tournament Team, as well as the All-WCHA First Team. She is the first UW defenseman to earn All-America honors since 2007.
Pankowski leads the Badgers in scoring for the second straight season, notching 58 points on 22 goals and 36 assists. The sophomore became the 21st player in program history to reach 100 career points. Pankowski was also named a WCHA Scholar Athlete, as well as earning a spot on the All-WCHA First Team earlier this month.
The second-seeded Badgers meet third-seed Minnesota in the semifinals of the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four on Friday night in Durham, New Hampshire.