WMU Captain Goes From Grinder to Big-Time Player
by Tyler Kuehl/CHN Reporter (@tjku29)
Heading into the Fargo Region, Western Michigan is the favorite to come out on top and move on to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history, thanks to having the highest-scoring offense in college hockey.
Led by sophomore Alex Bump, the only player on the Broncos roster with over 40 points, the team has a deep scoring pool, with anyone and everyone being able to step up on any given night — especially its captain, Tim Washe.
Washe’s 15 goals place him second on the team behind Bump, sitting third on the Broncos with 34 points. To some, those numbers might sound rather mundane compared to the top scorers in the country, but given Washe’s path, they are outstanding.
The Detroit native started in Kalamazoo during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season and was a solid bottom-six asset while players like Ethen Frank, Jason Polin and Max Sasson lit up the scoreboard. Across his first four seasons with the Broncos, Washe scored just 12 goals and 36 points.
However, with so many new faces heading into this season, fourth-year head coach Pat Ferschweiler knew he was going to need someone reliable to lead the team, on and off the ice. That’s why the team named Washe team captain for his final year with the program.
Along with the enhanced leadership role, the 6-foot-3 forward’s game skyrocketed. While he’s played with various linemates, he’s been a consistent threat at both ends of the rink. Along with his clear scoring prowess, he’s one of the top centermen in the NCAA, registering a 63.8 faceoff win percentage.
“I’ve had a lot of time to grow here,” Washe said. “A lot of great players here that have helped me along the way that are now playing professional hockey. So, just learning from them, learning from the coaches. … It’s cool getting better every day.”
His efforts in his own end of the rink led to him being named the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year — the first Bronco to win the award. He isn’t, however, the first player in program history to be named a conference’s best defensive forward. In fact, Ferschweiler was named the CCHA’s Best Defensive Forward in 1991-92. Dane Walters earned the same honor in 2011-12, the last time…
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