Max Plante, Dominic James, Joe Molenaar: NCHC End of Year Awards Finalists
- Three standout players from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men's hockey team are in contention for prestigious National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) awards.The finalists include Max Plante,...
- Max Plante, a native of Hermantown, Minn., is a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year.
- The Detroit Red Wings draft pick demonstrated his scoring ability with seven goals and contributed 14 assists in conference matchups.
UMD Hockey Players Vie for NCHC Awards
Table of Contents
- UMD Hockey Players Vie for NCHC Awards
- UMD Hockey Players in the Running for NCHC Awards: Q&A
- Which UMD Hockey Players Are Finalists for NCHC Awards?
- What Makes Max plante a Strong Candidate for NCHC Rookie of the Year?
- Has UMD Had Many NCHC Rookie of the Year Winners?
- Why is Dominic James a Finalist for Defensive Forward of the Year?
- What is UMD’s History with the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year Award?
- What Qualities Make Joe Molenaar a Good Candidate for the NCHC Sportsmanship Award?
- How Many NCHC Sportsmanship Awards Has UMD Won Previously?
- What is the NCHC Media Excellence Award and Why Was Bruce Ciskie Nominated?
- When Will the NCHC Award Winners Be Announced?
- UMD NCHC Award Finalists: A Summary
Three standout players from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey team are in contention for prestigious National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) awards.The finalists include Max Plante, Dominic James, and Joe Molenaar, each recognized for thier exceptional contributions to the team.
max Plante: NCHC rookie of the Year Finalist
Max Plante, a native of Hermantown, Minn., is a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year. Plante showcased his offensive prowess by leading all NCHC rookies with 21 points during conference play. Despite participating in only 20 NCHC games, his impact was undeniable. His points-per-game average stood at 1.05, ranking him eighth among all skaters in NCHC action.
The Detroit Red Wings draft pick demonstrated his scoring ability with seven goals and contributed 14 assists in conference matchups. Notably, his 14 assists tied for second among all freshmen. across all games, Plante accumulated 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists) in 21 appearances, overcoming an early-season injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of non-conference play. His stellar performance earned him the title of Rookie of the Week twice this season.
Historically, UMD has seen only one player receive the NCHC Rookie of the Year award as joining the league: Scott Perunovich in 2019-20.
Dominic James: Defensive Forward of the Year Candidate
Dominic James is a finalist for the Defensive Forward of the Year award. James has achieved a personal best of 12 goals this season, surpassing his previous high of 10 goals set during his sophomore year in 2022-23. Leading the Bulldogs with 28 points, James matches his career-high established in 2022-23. However, it is his defensive capabilities that have earned him recognition as an award finalist.
Hailing from Plymouth, Mich., James has recorded 26 blocks this season, solidifying his reputation as a highly effective back-checking center within the league.
UMD has a strong history in this category, with three previous winners: Justin Richards (2018-19, 2019-20) and Dominic Toninato (2016-17).
Joe Molenaar: NCHC Sportsmanship award Finalist
Joe Molenaar, a Minnetonka, Minn. native, is in contention for the NCHC Sportsmanship Award. As a graduate forward, Molenaar embodies the qualities of a role model both on and off the ice. Known for his gritty and hardworking style, he demonstrates respect for his opponents and selflessly blocks shots for his team. This season, Molenaar has recorded 23 blocks in 29 games.
Molenaar’s calm demeanor makes him a valuable presence for the team’s 11 freshmen. He serves as a mentor to younger teammates and extends his support to other young hockey players beyond the rink.Molenaar exemplifies the ideal student-athlete, making him a strong candidate for the NCHC Sportsmanship Award.
UMD boasts a league-high of four previous award winners, including Darian Gotz, who received the honor last season. Other recipients include Kobe Roth (2019-20), Karson Kuhlman (2017-18), and Cal Decowski (2015-16).
Bruce Ciskie: NCHC Media Excellence Award Finalist
Adding to the accolades, Bruce Ciskie, a long-time radio play-by-play announcer, is a finalist for the NCHC Media Excellence Award. Ciskie, currently in his 20th season, provides complete coverage and insightful commentary on the Bulldogs and all NCHC teams through his weekly radio shows on KDAL 610 AM in Duluth, Minn.His dedication extends beyond men’s hockey to encompass all UMD athletics.
The NCHC Annual Awards recognize outstanding achievements and contributions within the conference. The winners, determined by votes from head coaches and media representatives, will be announced soon.
UMD Hockey Players in the Running for NCHC Awards: Q&A
The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey team has several players and a staff member nominated for prestigious National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) awards. Let’s dive into the details of these nominations and what they mean for the Bulldogs.
Which UMD Hockey Players Are Finalists for NCHC Awards?
Three UMD players have been named finalists for NCHC awards:
Max Plante: NCHC Rookie of the Year
Dominic James: NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year
Joe Molenaar: NCHC Sportsmanship Award
In addition to the players, bruce Ciskie, a long-time radio play-by-play announcer, is a finalist for the NCHC Media Excellence Award.
What Makes Max plante a Strong Candidate for NCHC Rookie of the Year?
max Plante has had an outstanding freshman season,making him a top contender for the NCHC Rookie of the Year award. Here’s why:
Leading Rookie Scorer: He led all NCHC rookies with 21 points in conference play.
High Points-Per-Game Average: Despite playing only 20 NCHC games due to an early-season injury, his 1.05 points-per-game average ranked him eighth among all NCHC skaters.
Scoring and Assisting: Plante tallied seven goals and 14 assists in conference games. His 14 assists tied for second among all freshmen in the NCHC.
Detroit Red Wings Draft Pick: Being a draft pick adds to his pedigree and potential.
Rookie of the Week Honors: Plante was named NCHC Rookie of the Week twice this season.
Has UMD Had Many NCHC Rookie of the Year Winners?
No, UMD has only had one player receive the NCHC Rookie of the Year award since joining the league: Scott Perunovich in 2019-20.Plante has the chance to become the second.
Why is Dominic James a Finalist for Defensive Forward of the Year?
Dominic James is recognized for his strong two-way play, especially his defensive contributions. Here’s what makes him a contender:
Defensive Prowess: James has recorded 26 blocks this season, showcasing his commitment to defense.
Effective Back-Checking: He’s known as a highly effective back-checking center within the NCHC.
Offensive Contributions: While recognized for defense, James also leads the Bulldogs with 28 points this season and has surpassed his previous best with 12 goals.
What is UMD’s History with the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year Award?
UMD has a solid history with this award,having three previous winners:
Justin Richards (2018-19,2019-20)
Dominic Toninato (2016-17)
What Qualities Make Joe Molenaar a Good Candidate for the NCHC Sportsmanship Award?
Joe Molenaar is a finalist for the NCHC Sportsmanship Award due to his exemplary character and conduct both on and off the ice:
role Model: As a graduate forward,he’s a role model for his teammates.
Gritty and Respectful: Known for his hardworking style, he demonstrates respect for opponents.
Selfless Play: He is willing to block shots for the team as he has recorded 23 blocks in 29 games this season.
Mentor: Molenaar’s calm demeanor makes him a valuable mentor to the team’s 11 freshmen, and he supports other young hockey players beyond the rink.
How Many NCHC Sportsmanship Awards Has UMD Won Previously?
UMD has a league-high of four previous NCHC sportsmanship Award winners:
Darian Gotz (Last Season)
Kobe Roth (2019-20)
Karson Kuhlman (2017-18)
Cal Decowski (2015-16)
What is the NCHC Media Excellence Award and Why Was Bruce Ciskie Nominated?
The NCHC Media Excellence Award recognizes outstanding contributions in covering the conference.Bruce Ciskie, a long-time radio play-by-play announcer for UMD, is a finalist becuase:
Extensive Coverage: He’s in his 20th season providing coverage of the Bulldogs and the entire NCHC.
insightful Commentary: Ciskie offers insightful commentary on his weekly radio shows on KDAL 610 AM in Duluth.
Dedication to UMD Athletics: His dedication extends beyond men’s hockey to all UMD athletics.
When Will the NCHC Award Winners Be Announced?
The winners of the NCHC Annual Awards, resolute by votes from head coaches and media representatives, will be announced soon.
UMD NCHC Award Finalists: A Summary
| Award | Finalist | Key Contributions |
| ——————————— | ————— | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| NCHC Rookie of the year | Max Plante | Led NCHC rookies in points, high points-per-game average, Detroit Red Wings draft pick