First Half All-Hockey East Teams and Awards

First Half First Team All-Hockey East

Forward: Andrew Poturalski, Soph., New Hampshire

Forward: Ryan Fitzgerald, Jr., Boston College

Forward: Anders Bjork, Soph., Notre Dame

Defense: Jake Walman, Soph., Providence

Defense: Ian McCoshen, Jr., Boston College

Goaltender: Nick Ellis, Jr., Providence

First Half Second Team All-Hockey East

Forward: Joe Gambardella, Jr., UMass Lowell

Forward: Ahti Oksanen, Sr., Boston University

Forward: Mark Jankowski, Sr., Providence

Defense: Steve Santini, Jr., Boston College

Defense: Brandon Hickey, Soph., Boston University

Goaltender: Thatcher Demko, Jr., Boston College

First Half Hockey East All-Rookie Team

Forward: Colin White, Boston College

Forward: Max Letunov, UConn

Forward: Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson

Forward: Miles Wood, Boston College

Defense: Casey Fitzgerald, Boston College

Defense: Dennis Gilbert, Notre Dame

* Reserving the right to pick a team with no goalie as the league has opted to do several times over past decade

Player of the First Half

Jake Walman, Soph., Providence

The points, the ridiculous amount of shots on goal and the hat trick at Colgate is what will catch most people's attention, but Walman's impact goes well beyond just that. He was a good hockey player last season, but he has transformed his game into being one of the most dominating players in all of college hockey in all three zones. His skating is elite, his vision and ability to affect the transition game is tremendous and his impact in producing offense is undeniable. His footwork is outstanding and he is an absolute force from the top of the point on the power play.

Some might argue for points leader Andrew Poturalski of UNH, but it's hard to justify that with his poor defensive play. An argument could also be made for Nick Ellis or Thatcher Demko, but Walman is the man this observer picks at the midway point.

Rookie of the First Half

Colin White, Boston College

There has perhaps been no player in Hockey East who is more physically dominant each time he hits the ice this fall than the Hanover, Mass. native. When the Ottawa Senators first round pick has a point, the Eagles are 11-0-1. When he fails to do so, BC is just 2-2. The NTDP alum had a 10-game point streak, in which he registered six goals and 14 assists, before seeing it snapped against Notre Dame in the final game of the first semester.

Coach of the First Half

Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish were picked seventh by the coaches and fifth by the media in the preseason, but now find themselves just one point out of first with two games in hand at the semester break. Notre Dame is doing so without two key pieces from last year's team, Vince Hinostroza and Robbie Russo. Jackson is plugging in players at the right places and finding a way to take advantage of his team's added depth. Not too many teams around the country can boast a third line center as good as Jake Evans.

An argument could always be made for Nate Leaman and Norm Bazin in this spot, but it's tough to let the Irish's better start than expected go unnoticed. Jerry York often goes overlooked due to his recruiting prowess, but he's doing great things with a fairly young team and some adversity, which should be credited, as well.