Freshman Chase McDonald, Junior Colton McDonald, and Graduate student Zeph Fagergren were selected to represent the PAC-8 Conference at the 2013 ACHA All Star Challenge April 5th-7th.
The trio will join the rest of the conference’s elite as they take on the best of the best from 11 other conferences in Division II of the ACHA. The 14 total teams will duke it out over three days in West Chester, PA (just outside of Philadelphia) to decide which conference reigns supreme in the ACHA.
This year’s PAC-8 roster comes from all over as seven conference teams have a man on the all-star team. Oregon and UCLA lead representation on the squad with six and five players respectively. Joining the three Utes are three players from USC, two from Washington and one each from Cal and Washington State.
The format for the All Star Challenge is a little different than other tournaments as five points are up for grabs in each game. The winning team will receive two points, but the twist will be the winner of each period will also receive a point. Teams will be divided into three pools with the winners and a wild card advancing to the semifinals. The two winners will then advance to the final to decide a Champion.
This year’s selections mark the first time any Ute has participated in this event. Chase McDonald was a 1st-team All-PAC-8 selection this year, finishing with 83 points and 42 goals, both totals in the top five in the nation. Chase’s brother Colton will join him in Pennsylvania as he also picked up 1st team honors this year to go along with his 26 points on the year. Zeph Fagergren had a great year as well, finishing in the top five on the team in points with 40 and goals with 25.
For those interested in PAC-8 merchandise please visit the All-Star Store here.