Mankato, Minn. — The Minnesota State men’s hockey team has named the recipients of its team awards for the 2011-12 season.
The award winners are listed below.
Most Valuable Player - Austin Lee (Sr., Goaltender, Bloomington, Minn.) — Four-year letterwinner was one of a handful of players in the history of the league who have accrued four WCHA All-Academic and four WCHA Scholar-Athlete awards...Had 56 saves in MSU’s double-overtime loss at Minnesota Duluth 3/10/2012 in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, marking the most saves in a game by a MSU goaltender during its NCAA Division I era...Completed MSU career with a 16-32-3 won-loss mark, along with a .909 save percentage and a 2.89 goals against average...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after shutting out RPI on Oct. 8 with 36 saves for his first career shut-out.
Don Brose Leadership Award & Unsung Hero Award - Joe Schiller (Sr., Forward, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) — Four-year letterwinner who played both forward and defenseman during the course of MSU career...Played in all 38 games as a senior and established single-season highs for assists and points...Finished with 3-15--18 as a senior with his 15 assists tied for second on the team...Completes his career with 8-23--31 in 109 games...Three-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete and three-time WCHA All-Academic...Named to 2011-12 USCHO WCHA All-Unsung Team...Signed contract with Las Vegas of the East Coast Hockey League following the conclusion of the season.
Most Improved Player Award (tie) - Mat Knoll (Fr., Defense, Edmonton, Alta.) — Rookie defenseman 1-1--2 in 25 games in inaugural season with MSU...Tallied first career goal in 6-3 win at Michigan Tech (11.05.2011)...Assisted on Mike Louwerse’s game-winning goal in 3-2 win at Alaska Anchorage Feb. 10...Had 21 shots on goal for the year.
Johnny McInnis (So., Forward, Boston, Mass.) — Finished season with 8-7--15 in 2011-12 which was good for eighth place on the team’s scoring charts...Ranked fourth on the team with three power play goals and tied for the team lead with two game-winning goals...Tallied GWG at 3:15 into overtime as the Mavericks downed Nebraska-Omaha 5-4 in Mankato...Also had game-winner in 4-2 home nonconference win over Alabama-Huntsville Dec. 9...Scored MSU’s first goal vs. Minnesota Duluth Feb. 17.
Best Hustle Award (Hardest Worker) - Adam Mueller (Sr., Forward, Roseville, Minn.) — Four-year letterwinner had 3-4--7 in 34 games as a senior and fashioned 9-19--28 numbers in 121 games over the course of Minnesota State career...Finished with two career shorthanded goals, one career power play goal and one career game-winning goal.
Minnesota State is scheduled to open the 2012-13 campaign with an exhibition game Oct. 7 vs. the University of Lethbridge (Alta.)
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