Last week, two former BCHL defencemen were recognized for their strong play with weekly conference awards in the NCAA.
Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Week
Aiden Hansen- Bukata (D) – Senior – Rochester Institute of Technology (Nanaimo Clippers)
Hansen-Bukata recorded a pair of two-assist games in the Tigers split with Air Force. On Friday, the Delta, B.C. native assisted on teammate Carter Wilkie’s second shorthanded goal of the first period and had the primary helper on his hat trick-clinching power-play goal. On Saturday, he recorded the primary assist on both RIT goals against the Falcons.
The 24-year-old played two BCHL seasons with the Nanaimo Clippers from 2018 to 2020. He registered 62 points over 106 regular-season games during his junior career and was named a Second-Team All-Star after his rookie season.
CCHA Defenceman of the Week
Jack Blanchett – Freshman – Lake Superior State University (Powell River Kings)
Blanchett scored the game-winning goal and was a plus-one last Friday night in the Lakers 3-0 shutout of Augustana. For the week, he collected three shots on goal as Lake Superior split its two-game set with the Vikings.
The Monroe, Mich. native played last season with the Powell River Kings where he led all BCHL defencemen with 15 goals on the year and was the Kings second-leading point producer on the blueline, one back of the team lead, with 34 points in 50 games.
