Eau Claire North's star forward Sam Stange was named WHCA Player of the Year, it was announced Wednesday evening at the Player of the Year/State Tournament banquet held at Alliant Energy Center's Exhibition Hall.

Stange leads the Huskies to a state tournament bid this year for the first time since 2006. North, the #5 seed, will take on #4 Verona at approximately 12:30pm on Quarterfinal Thursday.

In his four years at North, Stange has compiled 203 points (95g-108a), all of which rank first in Eau Claire North scoring history. (Thanks, Mike Sullivan, for that info!)

Stange is a University of Wisconsin recruit.

The other seven finalists are:

• Gavin Abric, G, Hayward
• Drake Baldwin, F, Madison West
• Cole Danielson, F, Hudson
• Garrett Larsen, G, Waukesha
• Robby Newton, F, University School
• Jake Osiecki, D, Verona
• Jack Rhode, F, Northland Pines

The POTY process began in January with 25 nominations that were narrowed down to eight finalists by Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association voting. From there, the coaches elected the winner.