NCHC Announces Individual Award Finalists for 2025-26 Season
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) unveiled the finalists for its 12 individual awards for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday, with winners to be announced over the coming weeks during the conference’s postseason.
2025-2026 NCHC Individual Award Finalists
Herb Brooks Coach of the Year
- David Carle, Denver
- Dane Jackson, North Dakota
- Anthony Noreen, Miami
Player of the Year
- Tyson Gross, St. Cloud State, Jr., F
- Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So., F
- Eric Pohlkamp, Denver, Jr., D
Senior Scholar-Athlete Award
- Kent Anderson, Denver, D
- Riley Bodnarchuk, Minnesota Duluth, D
- Dylan James, North Dakota, F
Rookie of the Year
- David Deputy, Miami, F
- Cole Reschny, North Dakota, F
- Jan Špunar, North Dakota, G
Goaltender of the Year
- Matteo Drobac, Miami, So.
- Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, So.
- Jan Špunar, North Dakota, Fr.
Offensive Defenseman of the Year
- Ty Hanson, Minnesota Duluth, So.
- Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, Jr.
- Eric Pohlkamp, Denver, Jr.
Defensive Defenseman of the Year
- Adam Kleber, Minnesota Duluth, So.
- Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, Jr.
- Bennett Zmolek, North Dakota, Sr.
Forward of the Year
- Tyson Gross, St. Cloud State, Jr.
- Cruz Lucius, Arizona State, Sr.
- Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So.
Defensive Forward of the Year
- Tyson Gross, St. Cloud State, Jr.
- Dylan James, North Dakota, Sr.
- Owen Michaels, Western Michigan, Jr.
Three Stars Award
- David Deputy, Miami, Fr., F
- Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, So., G
Sportsmanship Award
- Blake Mesenburg, Miami, Sr., F
- Grant Slukynsky, Western Michigan, Jr., F
- Trevor Wong, Omaha, So., F
Media Excellence Award
- Jim Erickson, St. Cloud State TV/radio
- Robin Hook, Western Michigan radio
- Matt Wellens, Duluth News Tribune
Finalists for eight of the awards were determined by voting from the conference’s nine head coaches and one media member covering each of the NCHC’s nine programs. The top three vote-getters were named finalists. Athletic Directors similarly participated in voting for the Herb Brooks Coach of the Year. The Senior Scholar-Athlete Award was voted on by the conference’s Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs). The Sportsmanship Award was determined by conference and member school staff from team nominations, and the Media Excellence Award was voted on by the conference’s sports information directors (SIDs) from submitted nominations. The Three Stars Award finalists were based on points earned during conference games (5 for first star, 3 for second star, 1 for third star).
Upcoming NCHC Announcements
- Thursday, March 5 – NCHC Academic All-Conference Team
- Friday, March 6 – NCHC Media Excellence Award winner
- Monday, March 9 – NCHC All-Rookie Team
- Tuesday, March 10 – NCHC All-Conference Teams (3)
- Wednesday, March 11 – NCHC Sportsmanship Award and Three Stars Award winners