Justin Schultz‘s breakthrough season at the University of Wisconsin has earned him a significant honor as the Ducks’ second-round pick in 2008 was named defensive player of the year in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Schultz, 20, is the first sophomore to receive that honor since the inception of the award in 1992. The native of West Kelowna, B.C. led NCAA defensemen in scoring with 47 points — which also paced the entire Badger team – and his 18 goals were also tops among rearguards in the nation.

The 18 goals by Schultz were also the second-most by a Badger defenseman in the program’s long story. Nine of those goals were on the power play while three were game-winning scores, including one in overtime.

Schultz was a first-team All-WCHA selection while defense partner Jake Gardiner was named to the second team. Gardiner was the Ducks’ top pick and 17th overall selection in the same 2008 draft but was sent to Toronto as part of the package to bring back defenseman Francois Beauchemin.