Vanek Named National Rookie-of-the-Month by IHCCA

Upcoming Events

Schedule

No upcoming events at this time

MarUniversity of Minnesota freshman forward Thomas Vanek (Graz, Austria/O'Gorman) was named National Rookie-of-the-Month for March and April by the Ice Hockey Collegiate Commissioners Association. Beginning Mar. 1, Vanek had seven goals and five assists in 11 games as the Golden Gophers won the WCHA Final Five playoff championship and then became the first team in 31 years to repeat as NCAA Champions. He scored seven goals in his last seven post-season games.

Highlights of Vanek's postseason play included notching both game-winning goals in Minnesota's two Frozen Four wins. On Apr. 10, his wrap-around goal in overtime lifted the Gophers to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Michigan. Vanek then snapped a 1-1 tie with a third period goal in the National Championship game against New Hampshire on Apr. 12. The Gophers would defeat the Wildcats by a score of 5-1 with Vanek receiving Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player honors.

Vanek also had a power-play goal in a 5-2 win vs. Michigan Tech that sent Minnesota to the WCHA Final Five. He scored the game-winner for a 3-2 overtime victory against Mankato State in the WCHA Final Five semifinal. Vanek was named MVP of the NCAA West Regional as he tallied a total of three goals and an assist that weekend to send the Gophers back to the Frozen Four.

Upcoming Events

University of Minnesota Athletics

Related News

Related Videos