Mavericks Dole Out Team Awards For 2004-05
April 4, 2005
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MANKATO, Minn. - The Minnesota State men's hockey team named the recipients of its team awards at the annual Maverick Hockey Awards Banquet held at the Holiday Inn in Mankato Sunday. The award winners are listed below.
Most Improved Player Award - Chris Clark, So., Goaltender, San Mateo, Calif. - Clark started seven of MSU's last 11 games of the 2004-05 and finished the season with a 6-6-4 record, a .897 save percentage and a 3.42 goals against average. Clark had 40 saves and was named the game's first star in a 2-2 overtime tie with Colorado College (Feb. 5). Clark had 25 saves in MSU's 3-2 win at Alaska Anchorage Jan. 22 and he was named the game's first star after stopping a career-high 43 shots in MSU's 3-3 overtime tie with Miami Dec. 30. Clark stopped 26 of 29 shots in gaining a 4-3 victory over St. Cloud State (12/04/04) and earned his first career shutout with 21 saves in MSU's 4-0 win over Bemidji State (11/06/04). The shutout came in his 2004-05 debut. The San Mateo, Calif., native owns career numbers of 8-9-4, 4.00 and .881.
Unsung Hero Award - Brad Thompson, Sr., Forward, St. Louis Park, Minn. - Thompson, who recently made his professional debut with Reading (Pa.) of the East Coast Hockey League, finished 2004-05 with 13-11-24 numbers. A two-time recipient of this award, The St. Louis Park, Minn., native tallied a career-high 13 goals this year and accrued a personal season high for points with 24. Thompson ranked fourth on the team in scoring, third on the team in goals and fourth on the team in shots. One of two MSU players to see action in all 38 games this year, Thompson finished the season with a flourish, scoring 8-6-14 in the last 11 games of the season. MSU's captain, Thompson completed his career with 26-34-60 in 141 career games and is one of 80 players in the history of the program to appear in at least 100 career games.
Mr. Hustle Award (Hardest Worker) - Rob Rankin, Jr., Forward, Eagan, Minn. - Rankin tallied 6-7-13 for the year and collected his first career GWG when he scored MSU's third goal in the 3-2 victory at Alaska Anchorage Jan. 22. He tallied his fourth goal of the year and was named the game's third star in a 3-3 tie with Miami (12/30/04). Rankin had his first career SHG and scored twice in a 6-3 win over Alaska Anchorage (11/12/04). The game marked the second time he's scored twice in game during his MSU career (he also scored twice in a 3-2 win at Michigan Tech last year). The Eagan, Minn., native has 11-15-26 for his 67-game MSU career.
Don Brose Leadership Award - Steven Johns, Sr., Defense, Cranbrook, B.C. - This year's recipient of this year's WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year Award, Johns completes his Minnesota State career ranking eighth on MSU's all-time list for defensemen scoring with 8-70--78. Johns was a three-time WCHA All-Academic pick and a 2005 Maverick Achievement Award recipient as a senior scholar-athlete. Nominated for this year's Humanitarian Award which recognizes college hockey student-athletes who best exemplify character, commitment to studies and dedication to community service, Johns played a key role in the initiation of the MSU Goals For Kids campaign, he helped organize the MSU men's hockey Teddy Bear Toss promotion in which fans brought plush toys to MSU hockey game which were then distributed to the children's wing of the Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato, has been involved with MSU Athletics Red Kettle Salvation Army campaign, has worked MSU youth hockey clinics, MSU Athletics Halloween Trick or Treat events and has made phone calls to alumni on behalf of the MSU Development Office. Johns, who has been named to the MSU Dean's List seven times, owns a 3.82 grade point average and is majoring in International Business.
Most Valuable Player & BW3 Star of the Year Award (most Three Star of the Game selections during MSU home games) - David Backes, So., Forward, Blaine, Minn. - Backes, who led the Mavericks in virtually every offensive category, was named 2004-05 All-WCHA Third Team. Backes, who hasn't missed a game in his two-year MSU career, topped his scoring totals from a year ago with 17-23-40 (he tallied 16-21-37 last year as a freshman). The former Lincoln Star finished with 10 PPGs for the year which is tied for sixth on MSU's single-season list. Backes, who scored twice in MSU's 8-5 upset over #1-rated Denver 2/25/05), was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week following MSU's series with Wisconsin Dec. 10-11 (2 goals and an assist in a 4-3 win and 3-2 loss). The 2003 St. Louis Blue second-round draft pick was a member of the 2003-04 WCHA All-Rookie team.
MSU head coach Troy Jutting also announced that David Backes will serve as team captain next season and that forward Ryan McKelvie and defenseman Chad Brownlee will serve as assistant team captains.
MSU finished the 2004-05 campaign with a 13-9-6 overall record and completed
the WCHA regular season with a 8-16-4 mark.
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