Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men’s hockey team has named the recipients of its team awards for the 2012-13 season.

The award winners are listed below.

Most Valuable Player - Eriah Hayes (Sr., Forward, LaCrescent, Minn.) — Four-year letterwinner and team captain named All-WCHA Third Team in 2012-13...Finished second on MSU’s scoring charts on the season with 20 goals and 16 assists for 36 points...52-44--96 in 153 career games stands tied for tenth on the school’s career scoring list for the NCAA DI era...Led Mavericks with 12 power play goals as a senior, which ranks second in the nation and are most PPGs by a MSU player since Pat Carroll had 13 in 1982-83...25 career power play goals tie for fourth all-time at MSU and 153 career games played ranks second on MSU’s all-time list...Two-time WCHA All-Academic honoree...Signed free agent deal with San Jose following conclusion of 2012-13 campaign

Unsung Hero Award - Josh Nelson (Jr., D, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) - With 5-9--14 in 36 games on the year, achieved single-season highs for goals, assists and points...Had a goal and three assists for four points in 7-2 win at Colorado College (March 2)...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after MSU swept Alaska Anchorage (Dec. 7-8)...Has 6-15--21 in 84 career games.

Most Improved Player Award - Taylor Herndon (Fr., F, Oklahoma City, Okla.) — Scored first goal of career when he tallied MSU’s second goal of game vs. North Dakota March 8....Had 1-2--3 in 12 games in maiden season with Mavericks.

Best Hustle Award (Hardest Worker) - Tyler Elbrecht (Sr., F, Edwardsville, Minn.) — Four-year letterwinner appeared in 142 career games (3-24--27) and finished with a career +15...Matched single-season highs for assists (7) and points (8) in 2012-13...Finished career by playing in 65 straight games...Three-time WCHA All-Academic selection.

Three-Star of the Year Award - Matt Leitner (So., F, Los Alamitos, Calif.) - All-WCHA Third Team selection...With 17-30--47 on the year, led Mavericks in scoring for second consecutive season... Had 7-10--17 in the last 13 games of season, tied for ninth overall in the country in points and tied for eighth in assists...Led the country in power play points with 28 and has not missed a game in two-year MSU career with 78 straight appearances...47 points in 2012-13 are the most by a MSU player since Shane Joseph had 65 points and Grant Stevenson had 63 points in 2002-03...76 career points on 28 goals and 48 assists ranks 24th on the school’s DI-era charts...Second-highest scoring sophomore in the country in 2012-13 (Boston College forward Johnny Gaudreau had 21-30--51).

Minnesota State went 24-14-3 in 2012-13 and earned a berth in the NCAA postseason tournament.