Marian University’s Hunter Vorva Named Player of the
Year as NCHA Releases All-League Honors and Awards
Marian University goalie Hunter Vorva has been named Player of the Year in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association for the 2018-19 season, as announced by the league office today. In NCHA play, Vorva finished first in both goals-against average (1.55) and save percentage (.945).
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The NCHA also announced a 12-member All-Conference team, seven-member All-Freshman team, Coach of the Year and Co-Freshman of the Year awards.
Vorva has played a key role in the Sabres stingy defense, which currently ranks 14th in the nation in scoring, allowing just 2.11 goals per game. His overall stats are just as impressive, currently ranking seventh in the nation with his .937 save percentage and 13th in the country at the NCAA Division III level with his 1.84 goals-against average.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Hunter,” Marian head coach Zach Gaynor said. “He is truly deserving of this award and his determination is a keystone of his success. What makes Hunter such a pleasure to coach and a dynamic goalie in the NCHA is his approach to each day. Hunter is selfless, has zero ego, and is constantly looking for ways to improve. His focus in games is the exact same as it is in practice and he makes our guys work in practice for every puck that gets behind him. He is very balanced mentally and focuses on one shot at a time.”
Vorva’s role since joining the team a year ago has been immeasurable. Last season, his first with the Sabres after transferring in from River Falls, he finished second at the NCAA DIII level in shutouts, 11th with a 1.93 goals-against average and 15th in winning percentage. That helped lead Marian to a 20-8-1 overall record and the NCHA’s first-ever at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
“Ever since Hunter came to our program he has been the backbone of our team,” Gaynor said. “Last year’s National Tournament run and this year’s third place conference finish wouldn’t have been possible without him. When Hunter is in net, our guys feel confident that they can beat anyone.”
The 2019 Coach of the Year is Tim Coghlin of St. Norbert. Coghlin has led the Green Knights back to the Harris Cup Championship Game this weekend, a 21-4-3 overall record and ranked in the Top 5 (#3 USCHO.com/#4 D3Hockey.com) in both recognized national polls. The Green Knights won the Peters Cup for the 16th time in program history and are playing in the NCHA title game for the 17th time in the last 18 seasons. The honor is his second since 2010 (also 2016) but also his eighth overall.
The 2019 Co-Freshman of the Year is Brendon Gysbers of St. Norbert College. The Fond du Lac, Wis., native made an immediate impact on the lineup. He has averaged nearly a point per game this winter while posting 26 points (4G/22A) in 28 contests. He helped the SNC team defense lead the NCHA in goals-against average at 1.64 goals-per-game, nearly half a goal better than second place (2.11). His 26 points rank in a tie for eighth place overall, while his 22 assists rank second overall. Among defensemen, he finished third in scoring and was tops among all freshmen.
The other 2019 Co-Freshman of the year is Garrett Hallford of Trine University. Hallford is currently 13th in the NCHA with 24 total points (12G/12A). He accounted for 18 points (9G/9A) in NCHA action (tied for seventh), leading the Thunder offense while appearing in all 25 games as a first-year player.
The coaches also voted 12 student-athletes to the All-Conference team, highlighted by a trio of repeat award-winners overall. Adrian’s Cory Dunn was tabbed again, becoming just the sixth NCHA player to earn all-league honors every season of his career after leading the league in overall scoring (31 points on 5 goals and 26 assists).
He joined former Bulldogs Shawn Skelly (2007-11) and Brad Fogal (2007-11), as well former Lawrence Viking Josh Peterson (2004-08) and MSOE Raiders Jason Woll (2005-09) and Ryan Moren (1998-2002) on that prestigious list.
T.J. Black from St. Norbert becomes a three-time honoree, while Trevor Boyd from Adrian College (2017 All-NCHA) earns the accolades for a second time.
St. Norbert’s Riley Christensen, who led the NCHA in scoring with 22 points (8G/14A) in league play, was one of eight different players earning All-Conference for the first time. Green Knight teammates Dominick Sacco and Roman Uchyn joined Christensen, giving St. Norbert a league-best five members of the squad.
Seniors Cole Golka of St. Scholastica and Braden Hellems of Adrian College both closed out their careers with first-time honors. Lawrence University was represented by Josh Koepplinger, who finished second in league-only scoring, netting 21 points on nine goals and 12 assists.
Luke Davison of St. Norbert College and Jordan Fralich of the College of St. Scholastica – both sophomore defensemen – were the only under-classmen that earned All-NCHA.
St. Norbert was the only school to send a pair of student-athletes to the All-Freshmen Team, with forward Peyton Frantti joining Gysbers on the squad. Five other schools each landed one selection apiece. Forward Zackary Fisher (Northland College), forward Josh Giacomin (Lake Forest College), defenseman Sam Fuss (St. Scholastica) and goalie Bo Didur (Concordia University Wisconsin) were joined by Trine’s Hallford to complete the honorees.
2018-19 NCHA Player of the Year: Hunter Vorva, Marian University
2018-19 NCHA Co-Freshman of the Year: Brendon Gysbers, St. Norbert College
2018-19 NCHA Co-Freshman of the Year: Garrett Hallford, Trine
2018-19 NCHA Coach of the Year: Tim Coghlin, St. Norbert College
2018-19 Men’s NCHA All-Conference Team
Forward: Trevor Boyd, Adrian College (Sr./Muskegon, Mich.) 2017 All-NCHA
Forward: Riley Christensen, St. Norbert College (Sr./De Pere, Wis.)
Forward: Cole Golka, College of St. Scholastica (Sr./Ardrossan, Alberta)
Forward: Josh Koepplinger, Lawrence University (Sr./Saginaw, Mich.)
Forward: Dominick Sacco, St. Norbert College (Jr./Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Forward: Roman Uchyn, St. Norbert College (Sr./Chicago, Ill.)
Defense: Luke Davison, St. Norbert College (So./De Pere, Wis.) 2018 All-Freshman
Defense: Cory Dunn, Adrian College (Sr./Trenton, Mich.) 2018 All-NCHA | 2017 All-NCHA | 2016 All-NCHA | 2016 All-Freshman
Defense: Jordan Fralich, College of St. Scholastica (So./Duluth, Minn.)
Defense: Braden Hellems, Adrian College (Sr./St. Thomas, Ontario)
Goalie: T.J. Black, St. Norbert College (Sr./ Wheaton, Ill.) 2018 All-NCHA | 2017 All-NCHA
Goalie: Hunter Vorva, Marian University (Jr./Kalamazoo, Mich.)
2018-19 Men’s NCHA All-Freshman Team
Forward: Zackary Fisher, Northland College (Pickering, Ontario)
Forward: Peyton Frantti, St. Norbert College (Spring Grove, Ill.)
Forward: Josh Giacomin, Lake Forest College (Calgary, Alberta)
Forward: Garrett Hallford, Trine (McKinney, Texas)
Defense: Sam Fuss, College of St. Scholastica (Edina, Minn.)
Defense: Brendon Gysbers, St. Norbert College (Fond du Lac, Wis.)
Goalie: Bo Didur, Concordia Wisconsin (West Vancouver, B.C.)
-Additional forward due to tie in voting