Friday, April 26, 2013

UND Hockey Awards

GRAND FORKS, N.D.Senior center Corban Knight has been named the recipient of the Jeff Anderson Scholarship Award as the University of North Dakota’s most valuable player, highlighting the 2012-13 team awards that were announced last night.

Knight was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist and a second-team All-American after registering career-highs in points (49), assists (33) and goals (16). His 33 assists, which tied for third nationally, made him UND’s first player to put together back-to-back 30-assist seasons since current Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise (2002-04).

Knight also earned All-WCHA Second Team honors and was named to the NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team. He led the nation with a career-high 623 faceoff wins, 120 more than any other player and second-most in UND single-season history. A two-time WCHA Offensive Player of the Week and the national player of the month in December, Knight put together a 19-game point streak that was UND’s longest in 25 years.

UND’s other team award recipients included:
Cliff "Fido" Purpur Award: Danny Kristo (Sr. || Forward || Eden Prairie, Minn.)
  • Award is given to the player who exemplifies hard work, determination and being a creator of excitement on the ice
  • Was a Hobey Baker Award finalist, first-team All-American and the College Hockey News Player of the Year
  • Tied for second nationally with career-high 52 points and led WCHA with career-high 26 goals
Archie Krum Memorial Athletic Scholarship: Andrew MacWilliam (Sr. || Defense || Calgary, Alberta)
  • Award is given to the player who demonstrates leadership qualities, high academic standards, athletic excellence
  • Team captain was named to third straight Academic All-WCHA Team and was NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team selection
  • Appeared in all 42 games and set career highs for points (13) and assists (11)
Tom Hoghaug Memorial Scholarship: Colten St. Clair (Fr. || Forward || Gilbert, Ariz.)
  • Award is given to the freshman who demonstrates initiative, character and a sense of responsibility
  • Appeared in 40 games and collected three goals and seven assists
Rookie of the Year: Rocco Grimaldi (Fr. || Forward || Rossmoor, Calif.)
  • Led all WCHA rookies and ranked third nationally with 36 points in 40 games
  • Led the nation’s freshmen with 147 shots on goal
Most Improved Player: Dillon Simpson (Jr. || Defense || Edmonton, Alberta)
  • Appeared in all 42 games and led UND defensemen with career-high 24 points
  • Also had career highs in goals (5) and assists (19)

Coaches' Unsung Hero Award: Joe Gleason (Sr. || Defense || Edina, Minn.)
  • Played in 41 games and set career highs in points (18), goals (5) and assists (13)
  • WCHA nominee for Derek Hines National Unsung Hero Award
Virg Foss 3-Star Award: Danny Kristo (Sr. || Forward || Eden Prairie, Minn.)
  • Award is given to the player who receives the most 3-star voting points from the print media following home games
  • Won award for second consecutive season
  • Was a Hobey Baker Award finalist, first-team All-American and the College Hockey News Player of the Year
  • Tied for second nationally with career-high 52 points and led WCHA with career-high 26 goals
North Dakota (22-13-7, 14-7-7 WCHA) qualified for the NCAA postseason tournament for the 11th consecutive season, the longest active streak in Division I men’s hockey. UND advanced to the NCAA West Region final, where it was defeated by eventual-NCAA champion Yale