Nine St. John's players earned 2013 UMLC DII All-Conference honors highlighted by junior attackman Jake Helmer (Mahtomedi, Minn.) being named the Offensive Player of the Year.

This is the eighth straight year the Johnnies have had at least nine players awarded All-Conference honors and the second time a St. John’s player has been selected as the Offensive Player of the Year -- last selection was attackman Brian Strauss (Class of 2009) in 2007.

“I’m incredibly proud of Jake,” St. John’s coach Derek Daehn said. “There’s a reason he’s one of our captains; he shows extraordinary leadership on and off the field.

“This award shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that has seen him play.”

Heading into the 2013 MCLA National Tournament, Helmer has 49 points (29 goals, 20 assists) and is averaging four points per game this season.  In his three years at St. John’s, Helmer has registered a total of 175 points (101 goals, 74 assists) so far which is good for third all-time in program history behind Strauss (185 career points) and attackman Matt Draxler (Class of 2012 -- 181 career points).

“Jake is going to go down as one of, if not the best offensive player in St. John’s lacrosse program history,” Daehn said. “Hopefully he can become the all-time leading scorer this week during the National Tournament.”

Helmer's previous awards include UMLC First Team All-Conference Attack selections in 2011 and 2012 as well as MCLA Honorable Mention All-American Attack selections in 2011 and 2012.  The captain has also been selected as an MCLA Scholar Athlete in 2011 and 2012.  As of this article’s publication, the 2013 MCLA distinctions had not yet been awarded.

Junior midfielder Miles Armitage (Eden Prairie, Minn.), senior defenseman Steve Johnson (Mahtomedi, Minn.) and senior goaltender Michael King (Kansas City, Mo.) were named to the 2013 UMLC First Team All-Conference.  This is King's third consecutive UMLC First Team All-Conference goalie selection and fourth consecutive UMLC All-Conference honor.

Sophomore attackman Michael Culshaw-Maurer (Coon Rapids, Minn.), junior midfielder Lukas DeBruzzi (New Brighton, Minn.), junior defenseman Luke Eggerichs (Ham Lake, Minn.), sophomore defenseman Patrick Laird (West Bend, Wis.) and senior face-off specialist Alex Rahn (Fort Wayne, Ind.) were named to the 2013 UMLC Second Team All-Conference.

“I’m proud of all the All-Conference selections this year,” Daehn said. “Obviously they all play a large role in our success but even they would say it has been a complete team effort this season.  With that said, we have looked to these guys all year.

“All of these players are great leaders for the rest of our team to follow.”