Hockey East All-Star Teams | Hockey East Rookie of the Year Nominees 

Chad Ruhwedel, a junior from San Diego, Calif., led four UMass Lowell players named to the 2013 Hockey East All-Conference Teams, released Thursday night at the Championship Awards Night at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Ruhwedel, a defenseman named to the First Team, joined senior forward Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.), junior winger Joe Pendenza (Wilmington, Mass.) and freshman goalie Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce, Mich.), who were each named to the Second Team.

The foursome led UMass Lowell to a 24-10-2 overall record and it's first-ever Hockey East regular season championship with a 16-9-2 clip and 34 points.

The River Hawks, ranked No. 5 in this week's U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Division I poll, meet No. 16 Providence (17-13-7) Friday at 5:00 in the Hockey East Tournament semifinal at the TD Garden. Boston College (22-10-4) meets Boston University (20-15-2) in the other semifinal at 8:00.

Ruhwedel and Hellebuyck have been instrumental in leading the UMass Lowell defense to a 2.17 goals against average, tops in Hockey East and tied for sixth among NCAA Division I teams.

Individually, Ruhwedel has been the River Hawks highest-scoring defenseman with seven goals and 13 assists (20 points), currently tied for fifth among Hockey East leaders. He has also maintained a plus-14 rating.

“We feel Chad has had a very strong season,” said head coach Norm Bazin. “He is a character player we look to in the playoffs.”

The honor is the latest for Hellebuyck, who was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team Wednesday as well as the recipient of the Stop It Goaltending Champion award for having the lowest goals against average (1.38) and highest save percentage (.948) in Conference play en route to an 11-1-0 record. The figures rank second all-time in Hockey East behind former Maine standout Jimmy Howard in 2003-04, who registered a 1.16 GAA and .953 SV%.

Overall, he has maintained 1.49 goals against average as well as a .944 save rate in going 16-2-0 (.889) – all three figures tops in Hockey East. Nationally, he leads Division I goalies in winning percentage and ranks second in both goals against average and save percentage.

“Connor has started his college career in dramatic fashion,” said Bazin. “His poise for a young guy has been stellar. He continues to get better every week and we feel he is fresh for our playoff push.”

Wetmore, who has played all 147 games in his career, has been a consistent offensive threat with 15-10-25, including 13-8-21 against Hockey East opponents. Over his last 15 games, Wetmore has compiled 7-7-14.

“Riley is a true student athlete who continues to add to his list of achievements,” Bazin said. “He is a great role model for our younger players.”

Pendenza has emerged UMass Lowell's leading scorer with 13-22-35 and a plus-13, which includes 7-17-24 over his last 20 games. He currently ranks tied for seventh among overall leaders and fourth in conference games.

“Joe is finding his niche as a strong two way player with an ability to contribute,” said Bazin. “He will be leaned on in these playoffs.”

Boston University meets Boston College in Friday's later semifinal (8:00) while the championship is slated for Saturday at 7:00.