DENVER – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced on Monday that University of Denver sophomore
Mike Benning has been named the Co-Defenseman of the Week for the week ending on Nov. 21.
This is Benning's first career conference honor and the seventh weekly award by the Pioneers this season. Freshman
Sean Behrens was the last player to be named NCHC Defenseman of the Week, doing so for the week of Oct. 11-17.
Benning, 19, recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in Denver's two-game sweep of the Miami RedHawks last weekend. He had an assist in DU's 4-1 win on Friday before tying a career high on Saturday with three points in the Pioneers' 7-1 victory, recording a goal and two assists.
The St. Albert, Alberta, native leads all team defensemen with five goals and is tied for first with Behrens for the scoring lead by a blueliner with 11 points. Overall, Benning ranks tied for fourth on the Pioneers in goals and tied for fifth in points. Nationally, he shares third place in goals by a defenseman, with only North Dakota's Jake Sanderson and Michigan's Luke Hughes having more with six each.
Benning is sharing this week's award with senior defenseman Michael Joyaux of Western Michigan. Joyaux combined for a goal and three assists in the Broncos' sweep of St. Cloud State last weekend.
Denver's
Massimo Rizzo (forward),
Magnus Chrona (goaltender) and
Carter Mazur (rookie) were also finalists for player of the week awards.
UP NEXT: Denver is on a bye week before beginning a four-game road trip at Arizona State on Dec. 3-4.
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