DENVER – The University of Denver hockey program has finalists for eight of the 11 individual awards for the 2021-22 National Collegiate Hockey Conference season. Winners of the awards will be announced on Thursday, March 17.
Denver's NCHC Individual Award Finalists
Player of the Year –
Bobby Brink
Herb Brooks Coach of the Year –
David Carle
Rookie of the Year –
Carter Mazur and
Massimo Rizzo
Goaltender of the Year –
Magnus Chrona
Forward of the Year –
Bobby Brink
Offensive Defenseman of the Year –
Mike Benning
Defensive Defenseman of the Year –
Justin Lee
Three Stars Award –
Magnus Chrona and
Carter Savoie
Brink was a unanimous First-Team All-NCHC pick after tying the NCHC record for points in conference play with 35, 10 more than any other player this season. He also had 26 assists, which was also tops in the NCHC. A Philadelphia Flyers draft pick, Brink leads the NCAA with 53 points this season.
Carle led Denver to a turnaround season, as the Pioneers won their second Penrose Cup as regular-season co-champions after placing fifth a season ago in the NCHC.
Mazur, a Detroit Red Wings draft pick, was a near unanimous All-NCHC Rookie Team selection after leading all NCHC rookies with 24 points and 10 goals in conference play, while his 32 points overall tied for tops among NCHC freshmen.
Rizzo had 32 points overall, tying with Mazur for tops among all NCHC rookies, while his 20 points in conference play were second. The Carolina Hurricanes draft pick earned NCHC All-Rookie Team honors after leading freshmen with 17 assists in NCHC play.
Chrona collected Honorable Mention All-NCHC honors this season after going 16-6-0 in 22 NCHC games and ranking second with a 2.16 goals-against average, while posting a .907 save percentage. The San Jose Sharks prospect logged an NCHC-best six shutouts on the season.
Benning garnered Second-Team All-NCHC honors after tying for second among blueliners with 21 points in 24 NCHC games, with his eight goals tying for first in the league. The Florida Panthers draft pick has 13 goals overall this season, which ranks third nationally among defensemen and first in the NCHC.
Lee helped lead DU to the Penrose Cup, posting a +14 plus/minus in 24 NCHC games, which ranked third among blueliners, while he ranks second among NCHC defensemen with a +21 plus/minus in all games this season. He also blocked 25 shots on the year.
Savoie had 40 points in 32 games, with 20 goals and 20 assists. The Edmonton Oilers draft pick finished the regular season with a +18 rating and scored 11 times on the power play to bring his career power-play goals total to 18. Savoie is tied with Benning for the team-lead in game-winning goals with four.
UP NEXT: The Pioneers begin the best-of-three NCHC Quarterfinals on Friday as the top seed, hosting No. 8-seed Miami at Magness Arena.
TICKETS: NCHC Playoff tickets are available now by clicking here. NCAA Regional tickets are also available for the Loveland Regional by clicking here.
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