University of Minnesota Athletics
Briggs and Irmen Named Team MVPs at Annual Awards Banquet
5/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Briggs, a sophomore goaltender, played the 2004-05 season in impressive fashion, going 21-12-0 with a 2.43 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. He earned WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors four times and gave up two goals or less in 19 contests. With his blanking of Maine on March 26, Briggs registered his eighth career shutout, placing him in a tie for first place on Minnesota’s career shutouts list with Adam Hauser (1998-2002). His four shutouts in each of the last two seasons rank tied for second all-time on UM’s season shutouts list, behind Robb Stauber’s five in 1987-88.
Irmen, a sophomore forward, finished the year second on the team in scoring with 24 -19--43. He was a two-time WCHA Offensive Player of the Week and was named to the 2004-05 All-WCHA Third Team. Irmen finished the season 12th in the WCHA in points, fourth in goals and ninth in power-play points (13-11--24). One of Minnesota’s most consistent players in 2004-05, Irmen had three game-winning goals and a team second- best 11 multi-point games. Irmen also was given the team’s Mike Crupi Most Determined Player Award.
Senior forward Garrett Smaagaard (Eden Prairie, Minn.) was given the Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award. Smaagaard was a key member of Minnesota’s penalty killing unit and was a high-energy player in every shift for the Golden Gophers. Smaagaard scored a career-high eight goals in 2004-05.
Senior forward Barry Tallackson (Detroit Lakes, Minn.) was awarded the Tom Mohr Playoff Most Valuable Player Award after tallying four goals in seven postseason games, including the overtime game-winner vs. Cornell that sent Minnesota to its third NCAA Frozen Four in four years. Rounding out the awards were defenseman Alex Goligoski (Grand Rapids, Minn.) as the Frank Pond Rookie of the Year, senior defenseman Judd Stevens (Wayzata, Minn.) with the Elwin “Doc” Romnes Leadership and Sportsmanship Award and his second consecutive John Mayasich Outstanding Student-Athlete Award, and senior goaltender Justin Johnson (Ham Lake, Minn.) with his third straight Donald M. Clark Community Service Award.
Irmen, center Gino Guyer and defenseman Chris Harrington were also named captains for the 2005-06 season. The designation of the team captain and assistant captains will be announced at a later date.
2004-05 Golden Gopher Hockey Awards John Mariucci Co-Most Valuable Players - Kellen Briggs & Danny Irmen
Frank Pond Rookie of the Year Award - Alex Goligoski
Tom Mohr Playoff Most Valuable Player Award - Barry Tallackson
Elwin “Doc” Romnes Leadership and Sportsmanship Award - Judd Stevens
John Mayasich Outstanding Student Athlete Award - Judd Stevens
Mike Crupi Most Determined Player Award - Danny Irmen
Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award - Garrett Smaagaard
Donald M. Clark Community Service Award - Justin Johnson
