Mankato, Minn. -- Minnesota State's Mike Hastings has been selected as a finalist for the 2013 Spencer Penrose National Coach of the Year Award.

In his first year as head coach of the Mavericks, Hastings was named WCHA Coach of the Year after leading MSU to a school all-time NCAA Division I-high 24 wins. The Crookston, Minn., native guided MSU to its first top-half league finish since 2007-08 and the Mavericks made their second-ever NCAA postseason tournament appearance.  MSU achieved an all-time program best national ranking of #7 in the country Feb. 25, had a seven-game winning streak from Nov 23-Dec. 14 and during the course of the season, claimed wins over #2 Minnesota, #4 North Dakota and #15 Wisconsin. Under his guidance, the Mavericks had an all-time program-best 16 wins versus WCHA opponents. Hastings was named national coach of the year by College Hockey News March 27th.

The other candidates for this year's NCAA Division I coach of the award are listed HERE.

Te 2013 Spencer Penrose Award will be presented at the AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet in Naples, Florida, on Saturday evening, May 4.