DENVER – Sophomore defenseman
Mike Benning of the University of Denver hockey team has been named the National Player of the Month for March and April, the Hockey Commissioners' Association announced on Thursday.
Benning was the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Frozen Four as he produced four points (1g/3a) in wins against No. 1 seeds Michigan and Minnesota State to help the Pioneers capture their record-tying ninth national championship.
The blueliner had an assist on game-tying tally and scored the game-winning goal in the national title game versus the MSU Mavericks last Saturday, April 9 at TD Garden in Boston. He compiled points in seven of the final nine games, including four multi-point performances, and had five points during Denver's NCAA Tournament run.
Benning finished March and April with 11 points (2g/9a), which included an NCHC-leading nine assists over the final six weeks. He was also named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.
The St. Albert, Alberta, native finished the season ranked second nationally among defensemen with a career-high 38 points in 41 games, while his 15 goals were also second among NCAA blueliners. He chipped in 23 assists and had a plus-32 rating on the season, tied for fourth nationally. Only Michigan's Luke Hughes, the National Rookie of the Month for March and April, had more points by a rear guard this year with 39 (17g/22a).
Named to the All-NCHC Second Team and a member of the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team, Benning was also a finalist for the conference's Offensive Defenseman of the Year award. He was named the NCHC Defenseman of the Week on three occasions in 2021-22: Nov. 22, Dec. 13 and Feb. 28.
Benning was nominated for the HCA national award after being named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Month on Tuesday, becoming the first Denver defenseman to earn the honor since Joey LaLeggia in February 2015.
This is the third National Player of the Month award that the Pioneers have won this season, as
Brett Stapley earned the honor in December and
Bobby Brink picked up the accolade in February.
DU forward
Carter Mazur was the runner-up for the HCA's Rookie of the Month for March and April after having seven points (2g/5a) in nine games. Defenseman Luke Hughes of Michigan won the award after producing one goal and six assists.
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