Benning, Hughes and McKay Lead Final HCA Honorees
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Here are the final men’s monthly honorees of the 2021-22 season, covering the months of March and April, as chosen by the Hockey Commissioners Association.
Men’s Player of the Month: Mike Benning, Denver
SO Defenseman (St. Albert, AB)
Benning was named Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four with four points on the weekend (1 GWG, 3 assists), assisting on the overtime GWG in the semifinals vs. Michigan and scoring the game-winning goal in the National Championship Game vs. Minnesota State to break a 1-1 tie in the third period. Also set up DU’s tying goal in the final, forcing a rebound on a hard shot to open DU’s scoring. He had a point in seven of his final nine games in March/April, including five points in the NCAA Tournament. He finished the season second nationally in defenseman scoring with 38 points, while his 15 goals were also second among all blue liners.
Runner-Up: Thomas Bordeleau, SO F, Michigan
(Terrebonne, PQ) (7 GP, 3-6-9)
Men’s Rookie of the Month: Luke Hughes, Michigan
FR Defenseman (Canton, MA)
Luke Hughes had a seven-point month for Michigan with one goal and six assists. He had a point in five of his games and was a +4. In the series with Michigan State, he had a goal and a three-assist game. At the Big Ten championship, he had an assist and added an assist in both games at the NCAA Regional.
Runner-Up: Carter Mazur, FR, F, Denver
(Jackson, MI) (9 GP, 2-5-7)
Men's Goaltender of the Month: Dryden McKay, SR Goalie,
Minnesota State University (Downers Grove, IL)
McKay went 7-1 in this period, the only loss coming in the NCAA Championship Final. His numbers matched his season-long success: 1.28 GAA, .933 save percentage and one more shutout to give him 10 on the season. It was this standard of success that led him to be named the winner of 2022 Hobey Baker Award on April 8.
Runner-Up: Ryan Fanti, JR G, Minnesota Duluth
(Thunder Bay, ON) (6-2-0, 1.36 GAA, .951)
