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Photo by: Bjorn Franke
Gophers Reveal 2024-25 Team Awards for Men's Hockey
4/24/2025 1:00:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota men's hockey team announced the eight team awards given annually from the 2024-25 campaign.
John Mariucci MVP Award - Jimmy Snuggerud
Heralded as the "Godfather of Minnesota Hockey," John Mariucci (Eveleth, Minn.) was a two-sport athlete (hockey and football) at the University of Minnesota before returning to his alma mater as head coach of Gopher Hockey from 1952-1955 and 1956-66 (taking one year off to lead the U.S. Olympic Team to a silver medal in 1956). As a player, Mariucci was a First Team All-American and team captain for Gopher Hockey in 1940, leading the Maroon & Gold to the 1940 National AAU Tournament title with a perfect 18-0-0 record. Mariucci also helped the Gopher football program win a national title in 1940. Following college, Mariucci played in 223 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks. Mariucci, who passed away in 1987, was inducted into the inaugural class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973 and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1985.
Jimmy Snuggerud was named to the AHCA/CCM Hockey All-America West Second Team, capping off a remarkable junior campaign where he had a career-high 51 points on 24 goals and 27 assists. A top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, he earned All-Big Ten First Team honors and also was a Big Ten Player of the Year finalist after leading Minnesota with 17 multi-point games. The Chaska, Minn., native was a consistent point producer for the Golden Gophers, reaching the scoresheet in 30 of the 40 games played this season and set a career-long goal scoring streak of six games from Jan. 11-31, totaling nine goals in that stretch.
Mike Crupi Most Determined Player Award - Oliver Moore
Mike Crupi (St. Paul, Minn.) helped St. Paul Johnson win the 1963 Minnesota State High School Tournament before lettering twice for the Gophers in 1966 and 1967. The forward recorded 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) and 128 penalty minutes in 54 career games. His 27 penalty minutes against Michigan on Jan. 13, 1967, remains the program's single-game record for penalty minutes. Crupi passed away as a result of an automobile accident at the age of 22 in 1969 while playing professional hockey.
Oliver Moore earned this award for the second-straight season, capping a strong sophomore campaign where he recorded 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 38 games. The native of Mounds View, Minn., matched his freshman point total and reached double-digit goals for the first time in his collegiate career thanks to a late-season surge with seven goals in his final 14 outings. His four-point weekend during the final weekend of the regular season earned the forward Big Ten Conference First Star of the Week honors. A key contributor in league play, Moore ranked 10th among all B1G skaters with 21 league points and led the Gophers in faceoff wins with 355.
Frank Pond Rookie of the Year Award - Brodie Ziemer
Frank Pond (Two Harbors, Minn.) served as the third captain of Pride on Ice during the 1923-24 season and led Minnesota to a 13-1-0 record as conference champions. Pond later became the program's head coach for five seasons from 1930-1935 and led the Maroon and Gold to a 46-24-4 record behind the bench. Pond passed away in 1993.
In his collegiate debut season, Brodie Ziemer quickly emerged as a key contributor, pacing all Minnesota rookies in scoring with 23 points on 12 goals and 11 assists. Known for clutch performances, he secured two game-winning goals and opened the scoring in four contests, including back-to-back games at Minnesota Duluth. The Chaska, Minn., product's breakout moment came with an overtime game winner at Wisconsin that went viral before he tallied a season-high, four-point night at home against the Badgers to help secure a season sweep of the border rival. Ziemer ranked third among B1G rookies with 18 points in 24 league outings behind two-goal efforts versus Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Elwin "Doc" Romnes Leadership & Sportsmanship Award - Mason Nevers
Elwin "Doc" Romnes (White Bear Lake, Minn.) coached the Maroon & Gold for five seasons between 1947 and 1952 following a successful playing career at St. Thomas that led to Romnes being one of only two Americans in the NHL in 1927. He played in the Stanley Cup Final on four different occasions in his career, winning the Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1934 and 1938. In 403 career NHL games, Romnes served just 46 penalty minutes and earned the Lady Byng Trophy in 1936. Romnes passed away in 1984.
Veteran forward Mason Nevers wrapped up his fifth and final season with the Maroon and Gold as a team captain, embodying leadership both on and off the ice to collect this honor for the second year in a row. Despite missing six weeks due to injury, the Edina, Minn., product skated in 33 games, contributing nine points behind six goals and three assists. Three of his goals opened the scoring in a contest, the second-most on the team, while he put away the game-winning goal on the road at Ohio State. His steady presence and resilience were instrumental in guiding the Gophers to their third Big Ten Conference regular season title and fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure.
Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award - Luke Mittelstadt
Dr. V. George Nagobads (Riga, Latvia) remains one of the greatest influencers of American hockey of his time. Nagobads served as Gopher Hockey's team physician from 1958 until his retirement in 1992 – helping Minnesota to the program's first three national titles in 1974, 1976 and 1979. In 1978, Herb Brooks took the trophy Nagobads donated to the program and established the annual Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award. His largest contributions to hockey in the United States may have come on the international stage, however. Nagobads was named the team physician for five U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Teams (1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, and 1988); including the "Miracle on Ice" squad that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid and the silver medal-winning 1972 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that competed in Sapporo. Nagobads was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team in 2003 and later honored individually by the organization in 2010.
Junior defenseman Luke Mittelstadt quietly delivered one of the most consistent and impactful performances of the season along the blue line for the Gophers. Playing in all 40 games, he picked up two goals and 16 assists for 18 points, while his 13 assists in Big Ten Conference play tied for the team lead. A product of Eden Prairie, Minn., he had four multi-point efforts, all Minnesota wins, and served in a key role on special teams and in late-game situations. His contributions often flew under the radar, but his plus-23 rating and 48 blocked shots were vital to the team's success.
John Mayasich Outstanding Student-Athlete Award - Axel Begley
John Mayasich (Eveleth, Minn.) remains the icon of Gopher Hockey decades after lacing his skates up for the final time. A four-time All-American, Mayasich still holds school records with 298 points and 144 goals in 111 career games while his 154 assists rank second in program history. A team captain for the Maroon and Gold during the 1954-55 season, Mayasich's No. 8 jersey is the only retired number in Gopher Hockey history. Prior to joining the Gophers, Mayasich helped Eveleth High School win four-straight state titles from 1948-51. Following his college career, Mayasich won a silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo before adding a gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley. Mayasich was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.
A finance major at Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, Axel Begley played in 15 games during his second collegiate campaign. He showed his versatility by skating both as a forward and defenseman to help the Gophers win a B1G regular season championship. He put a total of four shots on target this year, including a pair at Ohio State, and finished with three blocked shots. A native of Mahtomedi, Minn., he also earned the honor of being an Academic All-B1G selection.
Donald M. Clark Community Service Award - Aaron Huglen
Donald M. Clark (Kensal, N.D.) may not have played for Gopher Hockey, but his contributions to the sport of hockey have made lasting impressions on the program even following his death in 1999. A 1941 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Clark helped found the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association in 1947 and later served as vice president of the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States and served for many years as a member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey committee. Clark was honored by the NHL with the Lester Patrick Award in 1975 and was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.
For the second-consecutive year, Aaron Huglen is the recipient of this honor and was an active part of the local community via outreach programs through his church. The Roseau, Minn., native served as an alternate captain for the Gophers in his final campaign and totaled 19 points on five goals and 14 assists to help Minnesota win another conference title. He won 52.9 percent of faceoffs this season, the highest percentage of any regular center, and registered 274 wins, the second most of any Gopher. Huglen earned Academic All-B1G honors for the third time in his tenure and also was given the B1G Sportsmanship Award.
Tom Mohr Playoff MVP Award - Jimmy Snuggerud
Tom Mohr (Hopkins, Minn.) appeared in just 12 career games as a goalie for the Gophers with an 8-3-1 record, but his final appearance will never be forgotten. In the 1976 NCAA title game, Minnesota fell behind Michigan Tech 3-1 after the first period, causing Coach Herb Brooks to send in Mohr for a relief appearance. Mohr stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced as Minnesota rallied for a 6-4 victory to earn the program's second national championship.
Jimmy Snuggerud carried his regular season success into the postseason where he led the Gophers in scoring during four playoff appearances as he was involved in six of the team's 11 total goals. He scored two goals, both of which came in the 2025 NCAA Fargo Regional, and added four assists during the B1G Tournament to finish the postseason with three multi-point performances. His power-play tally versus Massachusetts was his team-best 14th point on the man advantage for the season and the 19th power-play goal of his tenure.
Season tickets for Minnesota men's hockey in 2025-26 are now on sale at GopherSports.com. Season ticket holders have exclusive access to the Gopher Loyalty Program, providing access to over 100 experiences and benefits, along with discounted regular season and Big Ten tournament tickets, merchandise discounts and more.
John Mariucci MVP Award - Jimmy Snuggerud
Heralded as the "Godfather of Minnesota Hockey," John Mariucci (Eveleth, Minn.) was a two-sport athlete (hockey and football) at the University of Minnesota before returning to his alma mater as head coach of Gopher Hockey from 1952-1955 and 1956-66 (taking one year off to lead the U.S. Olympic Team to a silver medal in 1956). As a player, Mariucci was a First Team All-American and team captain for Gopher Hockey in 1940, leading the Maroon & Gold to the 1940 National AAU Tournament title with a perfect 18-0-0 record. Mariucci also helped the Gopher football program win a national title in 1940. Following college, Mariucci played in 223 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks. Mariucci, who passed away in 1987, was inducted into the inaugural class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973 and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1985.
Jimmy Snuggerud was named to the AHCA/CCM Hockey All-America West Second Team, capping off a remarkable junior campaign where he had a career-high 51 points on 24 goals and 27 assists. A top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, he earned All-Big Ten First Team honors and also was a Big Ten Player of the Year finalist after leading Minnesota with 17 multi-point games. The Chaska, Minn., native was a consistent point producer for the Golden Gophers, reaching the scoresheet in 30 of the 40 games played this season and set a career-long goal scoring streak of six games from Jan. 11-31, totaling nine goals in that stretch.
Mike Crupi Most Determined Player Award - Oliver Moore
Mike Crupi (St. Paul, Minn.) helped St. Paul Johnson win the 1963 Minnesota State High School Tournament before lettering twice for the Gophers in 1966 and 1967. The forward recorded 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) and 128 penalty minutes in 54 career games. His 27 penalty minutes against Michigan on Jan. 13, 1967, remains the program's single-game record for penalty minutes. Crupi passed away as a result of an automobile accident at the age of 22 in 1969 while playing professional hockey.
Oliver Moore earned this award for the second-straight season, capping a strong sophomore campaign where he recorded 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 38 games. The native of Mounds View, Minn., matched his freshman point total and reached double-digit goals for the first time in his collegiate career thanks to a late-season surge with seven goals in his final 14 outings. His four-point weekend during the final weekend of the regular season earned the forward Big Ten Conference First Star of the Week honors. A key contributor in league play, Moore ranked 10th among all B1G skaters with 21 league points and led the Gophers in faceoff wins with 355.
Frank Pond Rookie of the Year Award - Brodie Ziemer
Frank Pond (Two Harbors, Minn.) served as the third captain of Pride on Ice during the 1923-24 season and led Minnesota to a 13-1-0 record as conference champions. Pond later became the program's head coach for five seasons from 1930-1935 and led the Maroon and Gold to a 46-24-4 record behind the bench. Pond passed away in 1993.
In his collegiate debut season, Brodie Ziemer quickly emerged as a key contributor, pacing all Minnesota rookies in scoring with 23 points on 12 goals and 11 assists. Known for clutch performances, he secured two game-winning goals and opened the scoring in four contests, including back-to-back games at Minnesota Duluth. The Chaska, Minn., product's breakout moment came with an overtime game winner at Wisconsin that went viral before he tallied a season-high, four-point night at home against the Badgers to help secure a season sweep of the border rival. Ziemer ranked third among B1G rookies with 18 points in 24 league outings behind two-goal efforts versus Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Elwin "Doc" Romnes Leadership & Sportsmanship Award - Mason Nevers
Elwin "Doc" Romnes (White Bear Lake, Minn.) coached the Maroon & Gold for five seasons between 1947 and 1952 following a successful playing career at St. Thomas that led to Romnes being one of only two Americans in the NHL in 1927. He played in the Stanley Cup Final on four different occasions in his career, winning the Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1934 and 1938. In 403 career NHL games, Romnes served just 46 penalty minutes and earned the Lady Byng Trophy in 1936. Romnes passed away in 1984.
Veteran forward Mason Nevers wrapped up his fifth and final season with the Maroon and Gold as a team captain, embodying leadership both on and off the ice to collect this honor for the second year in a row. Despite missing six weeks due to injury, the Edina, Minn., product skated in 33 games, contributing nine points behind six goals and three assists. Three of his goals opened the scoring in a contest, the second-most on the team, while he put away the game-winning goal on the road at Ohio State. His steady presence and resilience were instrumental in guiding the Gophers to their third Big Ten Conference regular season title and fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure.
Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award - Luke Mittelstadt
Dr. V. George Nagobads (Riga, Latvia) remains one of the greatest influencers of American hockey of his time. Nagobads served as Gopher Hockey's team physician from 1958 until his retirement in 1992 – helping Minnesota to the program's first three national titles in 1974, 1976 and 1979. In 1978, Herb Brooks took the trophy Nagobads donated to the program and established the annual Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award. His largest contributions to hockey in the United States may have come on the international stage, however. Nagobads was named the team physician for five U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Teams (1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, and 1988); including the "Miracle on Ice" squad that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid and the silver medal-winning 1972 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that competed in Sapporo. Nagobads was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team in 2003 and later honored individually by the organization in 2010.
Junior defenseman Luke Mittelstadt quietly delivered one of the most consistent and impactful performances of the season along the blue line for the Gophers. Playing in all 40 games, he picked up two goals and 16 assists for 18 points, while his 13 assists in Big Ten Conference play tied for the team lead. A product of Eden Prairie, Minn., he had four multi-point efforts, all Minnesota wins, and served in a key role on special teams and in late-game situations. His contributions often flew under the radar, but his plus-23 rating and 48 blocked shots were vital to the team's success.
John Mayasich Outstanding Student-Athlete Award - Axel Begley
John Mayasich (Eveleth, Minn.) remains the icon of Gopher Hockey decades after lacing his skates up for the final time. A four-time All-American, Mayasich still holds school records with 298 points and 144 goals in 111 career games while his 154 assists rank second in program history. A team captain for the Maroon and Gold during the 1954-55 season, Mayasich's No. 8 jersey is the only retired number in Gopher Hockey history. Prior to joining the Gophers, Mayasich helped Eveleth High School win four-straight state titles from 1948-51. Following his college career, Mayasich won a silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo before adding a gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley. Mayasich was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.
A finance major at Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, Axel Begley played in 15 games during his second collegiate campaign. He showed his versatility by skating both as a forward and defenseman to help the Gophers win a B1G regular season championship. He put a total of four shots on target this year, including a pair at Ohio State, and finished with three blocked shots. A native of Mahtomedi, Minn., he also earned the honor of being an Academic All-B1G selection.
Donald M. Clark Community Service Award - Aaron Huglen
Donald M. Clark (Kensal, N.D.) may not have played for Gopher Hockey, but his contributions to the sport of hockey have made lasting impressions on the program even following his death in 1999. A 1941 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Clark helped found the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association in 1947 and later served as vice president of the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States and served for many years as a member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey committee. Clark was honored by the NHL with the Lester Patrick Award in 1975 and was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.
For the second-consecutive year, Aaron Huglen is the recipient of this honor and was an active part of the local community via outreach programs through his church. The Roseau, Minn., native served as an alternate captain for the Gophers in his final campaign and totaled 19 points on five goals and 14 assists to help Minnesota win another conference title. He won 52.9 percent of faceoffs this season, the highest percentage of any regular center, and registered 274 wins, the second most of any Gopher. Huglen earned Academic All-B1G honors for the third time in his tenure and also was given the B1G Sportsmanship Award.
Tom Mohr Playoff MVP Award - Jimmy Snuggerud
Tom Mohr (Hopkins, Minn.) appeared in just 12 career games as a goalie for the Gophers with an 8-3-1 record, but his final appearance will never be forgotten. In the 1976 NCAA title game, Minnesota fell behind Michigan Tech 3-1 after the first period, causing Coach Herb Brooks to send in Mohr for a relief appearance. Mohr stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced as Minnesota rallied for a 6-4 victory to earn the program's second national championship.
Jimmy Snuggerud carried his regular season success into the postseason where he led the Gophers in scoring during four playoff appearances as he was involved in six of the team's 11 total goals. He scored two goals, both of which came in the 2025 NCAA Fargo Regional, and added four assists during the B1G Tournament to finish the postseason with three multi-point performances. His power-play tally versus Massachusetts was his team-best 14th point on the man advantage for the season and the 19th power-play goal of his tenure.
Season tickets for Minnesota men's hockey in 2025-26 are now on sale at GopherSports.com. Season ticket holders have exclusive access to the Gopher Loyalty Program, providing access to over 100 experiences and benefits, along with discounted regular season and Big Ten tournament tickets, merchandise discounts and more.
2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule
Monday, August 11
Herb Brooks Statue
Wednesday, August 06
Meet the Newcomers: Teddy Townsend
Friday, July 18
Meet The Newcomers: Jacob Rombach
Friday, July 11