March 4, 2008

DETROIT, Mich. - Bemidji State University freshman forward Ryan Cramer (International Falls, Minn.) has been named College Hockey America Rookie of the Week for his role in helping the Beavers' post a series sweep over Wayne State University Feb. 29 and Mar. 1 to claim the leagues' regular-season crown. The league office announced the award today in a press release.

Cramer posted three goals and an assist to lead the Beavers in the two-game set doubling his career point total in the process. Entering the weekend with a goal and two assists (1-2=3) in 27 games played, Cramer registered the first multi-point game of his career Friday with a second-period goal and an assist on a game-tying, third-period marker. He followed that with a pair of second-period goals Saturday including a slap shot from just inside the blue time that would stand as the goal that clinched the 2007-08 CHA regular-season title for BSU--the first game-winning goal of his career.

The international Falls, native wraps up the 2007-08 regular-season as one of the hottest BSU players. In the Beavers' last five games, Cramer has logged four goals and an assist (4-1=5) and carries a three-game goal-scoring streak versus league competition into the CHA Tournament.

In addition to the BSU freshman, Niagara University's Vince Rocco and Ryan Annesley were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week respectively, by the league.

This week's award marks the first time Cramer has been recognized by the league for its weekly award but is the 17th of the season for Bemidji State. With 17 weekly honorees, the Beavers surpassed their total of 13 CHA awards won during the 2006-07 season while topping the 2003-04 Beaver squad for most CHA Player of the Week selections in a single season (16).

Bemidji State, 16-15-3 overall and 13-4-3 in CHA play, which wrapped up its 2007-08 regular-season schedule last week, capped the campaign by hoisting the Peters Cup. The Beavers claimed their third CHA regular-season crown in five years Mar. 1 with a victory over Wayne State. BSU now turns its focus to its next goal--a CHA Tournament Championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament. BSU opens conference tournament play Saturday Mar. 15 at 3 p.m. CST and will face the winner of the No. 4/No. 5 quarterfinal match up between Wayne State and University of Alabama-Huntsville.

2007 Bemidji State CHA Player of the Week recipients
Oct. 16 - Jamie Ruff - Rookie of the Week
Nov. 5 - Matt Climie - Defensive Player of the Week
Nov. 5 - Joey Moggach - Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 12 - Matt Climie - Defensive Player of the Week
Nov. 12 - Travis Winter - Offensive Player of the Week
Nov. 19 - Cody Bostock - Defensive Player of the Week
Nov. 19 - Matt Read - Rookie of the Week
Dec. 3 - Tyler Scofield - Offensive Player of the Week
Dec. 3 - Matt Climie - Defensive Player of the Week
Dec. 3 - Matt Read - Rookie of the Week
Dec. 10 - Travis Winter - Offensive Player of the Week
Dec. 10 - David Deterding - Defensive Player of the Week
Dec. 10 - Matt Read - Rookie of the Week
Jan. 7 - Matt Dalton - Rookie of the Week
Jan. 14 - Matt Read - Offensive Player of the Week
Jan. 28 - Matt Pope - Offensive Player of the Week
Mar. 4 - Ryan Cramer - Rookie of the Week

-bsu-