MSU awards

It's been awhile, folks. A little vacation, a little different offseason sports duties at the Freep, some thinking about how to spice things up on the blog for the summer and going forward to next season ...

Minnesota State announced its team award winners for this season on Friday. No big surprises in the group. Here's a list of them, along with a Puckato comment or two:

Don Brose Leadership Award: Johnny McInnis

Comment: This was a no-brainer at the end of the season, but there were some questions about how he'd handle having the "C" before the year began. It was a delight watching McInnis grow into this role as the year went on. It seemed as though he got better on the ice as he grew off the rink, and he ended up signing a pro contract when all was said and done. First-class kid. 

Hustle Award (Hardest Worker): Bryce Gervais

Comment: Another lock. After watching the NFL draft and listening to the talking heads ramble about players' motors, here's a guy with a motor that doesn't quit. Great penalty killer who set a high bar for the rest of his college career with a phenomenal second half. Best non-goaltender in this year's Final Five. Chase Grant also Could have received consideration for this award.

Most Improved Player: Sean Flanagan

Comment: As I often talk about, is this award for best improvement over the course of a season or from season to season. Lately, it's been the former for the Mavericks, and Flanagan, a freshman defenseman, really started to figure things out over the second half of the season. From the North Star Cup on, he was a consistent performer who had earned a permanent spot in the lineup. Going season to season, Gervais might have been most deserving.

Unsung Hero: Zach Lehrke

Comment: Hard to disagree here. The season could have been divided into B.L. and A.L. (Before Lehrke and After Lehrke). The Mavericks seemed to be lost during his 10-game retirement, but his return sparked a run that took the team to the Broadmoor Trophy championship and a second-straight NCAA tournament. Other consideration could have gone to Brett Stern.

Most Valuable Player: Cole Huggins

Comment: What a year Huggins had, especially at the end (another candidate for Most Improved Player, perhaps). Was named WCHA Final Five Most Outstanding Player. Hard to ignore a 21-8-1 record, .926 save percentage and 1.88 goals-against average. Future should be bright, too. At different times in the season, this award could have gone to Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Matt Leitner and Johnny McInnis. I'd have little issue with any of those four winning the honor.

Star of the Year: Johnny McInnis

Comment: This is based on the Three Stars of the Game awarded after every home game. Points are tallied based on being first, second or third star. McInnis was No. 1 three times and No. 2 three times, compiling 15 points. Next was LaFontaine (11), Gervais (10), Leitner (9), Huggins (8), Zach Stepan (8), Lehrke (7), Teddy Blueger (5), Sean Flanagan (5), Dylan Margonari (4), Casey Nelson (3), Michael Huntebrinker (3), Jordan Nelson (2), Zach Palmquist (2) and Chase Grant (1).

Piecing next year's schedule together

Minnesota State hasn't released next season's schedule yet, however, a few teams out there have. So we can start piecing things together and, perhaps, start planning our weekends for next fall and winter.

It looks like the Mavericks will open the season Oct. 10-11 at Nebraska Omaha, resuming the Spirit of the Maverick rivalry series after a year off.

The following weekend, Oct. 17-18, they will play a home-and-home series with Minnesota Duluth, going to UMD on Friday and playing in Mankato on Saturday. I'm guessing Saturday might include a Broadmoor Trophy banner raising in the Verizon Wireless Center.

Another highlight of the schedule is the second North Star College Cup at the Xcel Energy Center Jan. 23-24. The Mavericks will play Minnesota on Friday night and either Bemidji State or UMD the next day.

Jan. 30-31 marks the return of Ferris State to Mankato. That was the most exciting series of last season. The two teams will play at Big Rapids, Mich. on Jan. 16-17.

Other dates unveiled already include Nov. 21-22 at Michigan Tech, Dec. 5-6 home vs. Alaska, Feb. 6-7 home vs. Alaska Anchorage, Feb 13-14 at Alaska and Feb. 27-28 home vs. Michigan Tech.

More to come.

Mavericks ink three

Minnesota State announced the signing of three recruits on Thursday, bringing their recruiting class to five for next fall.

The group includes one player at each position, and coach Mike Hastings said all three can make an impact, whether it's by game performance or by pushing others

They are forward Brad McClure, defenseman Jaden Schmeisser and goaltender Aaron Nelson.

"When you can have competition at each position, you have the ability to push and build an environment of development from a competitive standpoint," Hastings said.

Read more about the three in Friday's Free Press.

They will join a class that includes forwards C.J. Franklin and Zeb Knutson, who signed in November.

There likely are high expectations for the forwards of this group, considering their track records in junior hockey. There are two big holes to fill up front with the departures of Johnny McInnis and Zach Lehrke. Competition should be fierce to make the top 12 each weekend.

Same goes for defense where just one regular, Josh Nelson, departs. Nelson played in just 21 games due to injury, and that included missing the Final Five and the NCAA tournament.

In goal, the Mavericks look pretty secure with Cole Huggins back and with what the team hopes will a rebounded Stephon Williams. I'm told Nelson isn't just supposed to be a No. 3, that he'll push the other two.

Going Dutch: Union wins NCAA title

The Associated Press

The college hockey season came to an end on Saturday with Union (which was the No. 1 team in the nation in the final USCHO poll, by the way) defeating Minnesota 7-4 in a wild game that was fitting of a very entertaining Frozen Four.

Bill Robertson named WCHA commissioner

Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn, WCHA

Bill Robertson was named WCHA commissioner on Tuesday during an event held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. (That's a pic of me interviewing him.) He will begin his duties in mid-May, and there will be some overlap with current commissioner Bruce McLeod, who will retire on June 30.

"It’s got a rich tradition, and the conference has done so many great things over the years," Robertson said. "It’s got a great foundation. I just want to build on that and make it as good a conference as I possibly can. I’m looking forward to the challenge, that’s for sure."

There's definitely a challenge, given the reshaped WCHA. Promotion and sponsorship of the league and the Final Five, which will return to the X next March, were big themes during the event.

"The business of college is changing, with the conference realignments, promotion of the game, television, the digital content that goes on and all the revenue streams that are possibilities for the future," Robertson said. "I will do my best as commissioner of the WCHA to stay on top of these trends in college hockey and use my vast relationships to help continue to build this conference over the years."

Robertson addressed realignment, saying that he doesn't believe that it's done and that he doesn't want his league sitting on the sidelines if and when that happens.

"I don’t think we’re done with changes in college hockey as far as alignment’s concerned so I’ll be keeping a keen eye on that as I go forward," he said. "I think we’re going to build on it; we’re going to be aggressive in that approach as I set forward on that task of trying to understand where these teams are at. But I think it’s a great conference. All these teams are passionate about wanting to stay in the WCHA from what I’ve talked to them. So I’m hoping we’re going to push that forward."

Minnesota State was well-represented at the event. President Richard Davenport spoke as the head of the league’s search committee, and Vice President of University Advancement emceed the event. Athletic director Kevin Buisman and hockey coach Mike Hastings attended as well.

“He’ll provide an injection of energy the league needs right now,” Buisman said.

Said Hastings: "Mutual friends who have worked with and around him, they speak very highly of him. I look forward to get to know him and work with him."

WCHA to announce new commissioner

The WCHA will introduce its new commissioner during a press conference at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The commissioner will replace Bruce McLeod, who is retiring after 20 years as the league's boss.

Word was a search committee conducted interviews during the WCHA Final Five in Grand Rapids, Mich.

According to Let's Play Hockey via Twitter on Monday morning, former Minnesota Wild executive Bill Robertson is a leading candidate for the position.

McInnis set to signs, Palmquist set to return

Got a couple of MSU news nuggets on Friday ...

Minnesota State senior Johnny McInnis is set to sign an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. McInnis had a career year with a team-leading 21 goals and 38 points. The Monsters are an affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. "I had to wait around a little bit (this week)," McInnis said. "I just waited for an opportunity, hopefully to try out in the AHL. I"m just happy something came about. This was the best opportunity."

Also confirmed that junior defenseman Zach Palmquist has said that he's planning to return to the Mavericks for his senior season. Palmquist, a free agent who has attend NHL development camps the last two summers, had 23 points this season.