Five goalies were announced as finalists for the Mike Richter Award for the nation’s top NCAA goaltender. The award is in its second year and is sponsored by Let’s Play Hockey, a publication in Minnesota, and the Herb Brooks Foundation.
In addition to play on the ice, the criteria for the award is as follows according to an NCAA release.
Criteria for the Mike Richter Award:
♦ Candidates must display outstanding skills on the ice
♦ Candidates should be in good academic standing at an NCAA college or university
♦ Consideration should be given to academic achievement and sportsmanship
♦ Candidates must comply with all NCAA rules; be full-time students at an NCAA college or university; and complete 50 percent or more of the season
♦ Consideration should be given to the candidate’s activities in the community
The five finalists for the awards are:
Kyle Hayton, St. Lawrence, FR … 20-12-3, 1.90 goals against average, .939 save percentage, 5 shutouts
Hayton was the top freshman goalie in the nation this season. He led St. Lawrence to a second place finish in ECAC. The rookie was a workhorse in goal, playing all but one game this season. He also tied for first in the nation in save percentage (.939), fifth in shutouts (5) and sixth in goals-against average (1.90).
Jake Hildebrand, Michigan State, JR … 17-15-2, 2.12, .930, 6
Hildebrand’s accolades were highlighted yesterday. The Big Ten goalie of the year winner may have fewer wins than the other four nominees but he’s just as good. The 2015 half of the schedule has been generous to Hildebrand, as he has led the nation in save percentage (.950), ranks sixth in goals-against average (1.55) and has posted five shutouts — second most in the country since January 1.
Alex Lyon, Yale, SO … 17-9-5, 1.58, .939, 7
Lyon was the top goalie statistically in ECAC, posting better numbers than Hayton. He was the nation’s leader in goals-against average (1.58), save percentage (.939) and shutouts (7) — all single-season Yale records. He had 23 games this season where he allowed two goals or less.
Zane McIntyre, North Dakota, JR … 27-7-3, 1.97, .932, 1
McIntyre was NCHC All-Conference First Team and a finalist for the NCHC Goaltender of the Year Award. He made the fifth-most saves in the nation with 989 saves. The most saves he made this season was 43 in a 2-1 win at Miami on March 6. He’s clutch in one-goal games, posting a 11- 2-3 record. He’s property of the Boston Bruins, as he was a sixth-round pick (165th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. His 27 wins tied for most in the nation.
Jamie Phillips, Michigan Tech, JR … 27-7-2, 1.61, .938, 6
Like McIntyre, his 27 wins lead the nation. He backstopped the Huskies to being ranked fourth in the nation this season. He was the All-WCHA First Team goalie and played in every game for Michigan Tech. Earlier this season he made a career-high 43 saves in a 1-1 tie at Minnesota State-Mankato on Feb. 27, and is currently riding a career-best 180:39 shutout streak. He’s a draft pick of Winnipeg, who used their seventh-round pick (190th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on Phillips.
Last year’s winner was Connor Hellebuyck of Massachusetts- Lowell.He left the River Hawks after his sophomore season in 2014 for an NHL contract with Winnipeg. He’s currently playing in the AHL for St. John’s.
