DENVER - Senior captain Kyle Ostrow (Calgary, Alberta) was named Most Valuable Player and senior alternate captain Jesse Martin (Edmonton, Alberta) was named Most Inspirational Player as the University of Denver celebrated its 55^th Annual Hockey Awards Evening tonight at the Cable Center on the DU campus.

The Pioneers (25-12-5) advanced to the NCAA Midwest Regional final, captured their 15^th Denver Cup Classic title and retained the Gold Pan Trophy from in-state rival for the second straight season. DU advanced to its school-record fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament and joined Michigan as the lone teams in college hockey to post 10 consecutive 20-win seasons. The Pioneers also landed 16 members on the All-WCHA Academic Team.

In addition, the Pioneers said goodbye to seniors Josh Rosenholtz (Ridgefield, Conn.), Joey Brehm (Edina, Minn.), Jon Cook (Denver), Chris Nutini (Centennial, Colo.), Dustin Jackson (Omaha, Neb.), Anthony Maiani (Shelby Township, Mich.), Martin and Ostrow, and sophomore Matt Donovan (Edmond, Okla.), who signed a pro contract with the New York Islanders.

The DU senior class of 2011 became the first in school history to play in four NCAA tournaments. The seniors finished their careers with 101 wins, three Denver Cup Classic titles, one WCHA Final Five championship and one WCHA regular-season title.

Ostrow earned the Bill Masterton Memorial Award (MVP) for his leadership on and off the ice. Ostrow led DU to its eighth 25-win season under head coach George Gwozdecky. Ostrow tied a career high with 28 points (15g, 13a) and became the 93^rd member of the Pioneer Century Club for 100-point scorers.

Martin earned the Dr. Ralph Verploeg Award for most inspirational player after suffering a season-ending neck injury at North Dakota on Oct. 30. Martin has been an inspiration to college hockey fans across the continent with his attitude, drive and determination following the injury. He battled through injuries his entire DU career and finished with 64 points (32g, 32a) in 120 games.

Sophomore Drew Shore (Denver) earned the Leading Scorer Award and "Star of the Year" Award as voted on by the media.

WCHA Rookie of the Year Jason Zucker (Las Vegas) earned the Barry Sharp Memorial Award as top freshman, while freshman Jarrod Mermis (Alton, Ill.) won the Murray Armstrong Award as most improved player.

Nutini earned the Dr. Ken Bredesen Award for sportsmanship and shared the Dr. Art Mason Memorial Award as top scholar-athlete with sophomore Shawn Ostrow (Calgary, Alberta).

All-WCHA Rookie Team goaltender Sam Brittain (Calgary, Alberta) netted the Keith Magnuson Memorial Award as best defensive player and Maiani earned the Bob Martin Memorial Award for community service.

DU Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Nancy Sampson recognized DU's 16 All-WCHA Academic honorees and five WCHA Scholar-Athlete winners. David Carle (Anchorage, Alaska), Cook, Nate Dewhurst (Johnston, Iowa), Donovan, Jackson, John Lee (Moorhead, Minn.), Maiani, Martin, Nutini, Kyle and Shawn Ostrow, Paul Phillips (Darien, Ill.), Rosenholtz, John Ryder (Colorado Springs), Luke Salazar (Thornton, Colo.) and Shore were all honored for earning a 3.0 GPA or better this season. In addition, Martin, Nutini, Kyle and Shawn Ostrow and Phillips were recognized for GPA's of 3.5 or better.