The Hockey Commissioners Association announced the 10 semifinalists for the 2024 Mike Richter Award for the NCAA.
The Hockey Commissioners Association announced the 10 semifinalists for the 2024 Mike Richter Award for the NCAA. Here are the ten nominees.
Trey Augustine, Michigan State, FR
The Freshman goaltender for Michigan State is off to a great season. In 27 games this season, Augustine is 18-6-2 with three shutouts, a .917 save percentage, and a 2.87 goals-against-average. Augustine is a big reason why Michigan State ranks No. 7 on our Men's College Hockey Rankings.
Ryan Bischel, Notre Dame, GR
One of two graduate students on the list, Bischel made the semifinalist list last year and is now on it again. The 24-year-old is 14-14-2 this year in 30 games for Notre Dame. He has three shutouts with a .927 save percentage and a 2.46 goals-against-average.
Vinny Duplessis, Quinnipiac, SR
In 20 games this season, Duplessis is 14-2-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 1.92 goals-against-average with three shutouts. It wasn't easy for the Bobcats to replace Yaniv Perets, who led Quinnipiac to the National Championship title last year, but Duplessis has done a great job.
Justen Close, Minnesota, GR
Another goaltender who was on the list last year, Close has been great for the Gophers again this season as his remarkable story continues. Close just posted back-to-back shutouts against Penn State last weekend and tied the program record for most career shutouts. He is 17-7-5 on the season and has faced the nation's fifth-toughest schedule. His 2.25 goals-against average and .926 save percentage ranks 10th and sixth in the NCAA.
Jacob Fowler, Boston College, FR
The second freshman on the list and well deserving. Fowler has only played 14 games this year and has gone 11-3-0 with a 2.17 goals-against-average and a .925 save percentage. Boston College started the year by easing Fowler in but in his last six games, he seems to be taking over the starters net.
Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College, SO
After a great first season in the NCAA, Mbereko is off to another great start in his Sophomore season for Colorado College. The 5-foot-11 goaltender is 16-9-1 this year in 26 games for the Tigers and has posted an impressive .914 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against-average.
Kyle McClellan, Wisconsin, SR
Wisconsin has turned it around since last season and McClellan has been a big reason why they rank No. 4 on our rankings. In 27 games this year, McClellan is 20-6-1 with six shutouts, a 1.89 goals-against-average, which is third in the NCAA, and a .932 save percentage. His .932 save percentage leads the NCAA.
Tommy Scarfone, RIT, JR
Scarfone made the Mike Richter watch list last year and now is a finalist for the award. RIT has been on a roll this season and Scarfone has been a big reason why they likely punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament. In 26 games, the Junior goaltender is 17-7-2 with a .924 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against-average
Ian Shane, Cornell, JR
Cornell is taking the league by notice this year and so is Ian Shane. The Junior goaltender currently leads the entire NCAA in goals-against-average with a 1.62 GAA. His .922 save percentage also ranks tied for sixth in the NCAA. Cornell is 15-4-4 and ranks as the No. 11 on our rankings.
Jake Sibell, St. Thomas, JR
Although Aaron Trotter might be St. Thomas' starter, Jake Sibell has been really good in the 13 games he has played. The Junior goaltender is 7-5-0 with a 1.88 goals-against-average which ranks second behind Shane, and a .932 save percentage.