University of Minnesota Athletics
Team Award Winners
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.
1955-56 Ken Yackel Sr., defense
1956-57 Jack Petroske, defense
1957-58 Jack McCartan, goaltender
1958-59 Murray Williamson, center
1959-60 Myron Grafstrom, wing
1960-61 Jerry Norman, wing
1961-62 Mike Larson, goaltender
1962-63 Lou Nanne, defense
1963-64 Craig Falkman, wing
1964-65 Larry Stordahl, defense
1965-66 Doug Woog, center
1966-67 John Dale, center
1967-68 Murray McLachlan, goaltender
1968-69 Murray McLachlan, goaltender
1969-70 Murray McLachlan, goaltender
1970-71 Frank Sanders, defense
1971-72 Doug Peltier, center
1972-73 Jim Gambucci, center
1973-74 Brad Shelstad, goaltender
1974-75 Mike Polich, center
1975-76 Warren Miller, wing
1976-77 Joe Micheletti, defense
1977-78 Steve Christoff, center
1978-79 Steve Janaszak, goaltender
1979-80 Tim Harrer, wing
1980-81 Aaron Broten, center
1981-82 Paul Ostby, goaltender
1982-83 Scott Bjugstad, center
1983-84 Tom Rothstein, wing
1984-85 Pat Micheletti, wing
1985-86 Corey Millen, center
1986-87 Dave Snuggerud, wing
1987-88 Robb Stauber, goaltender
1988-89 Dave Snuggerud, center
1989-90 Peter Hankinson, wing
1990-91 Larry Olimb, center
1991-92 Larry Olimb, center
1992-93 Travis Richards, defense
1993-94 Chris McAlpine, defense
1994-95 Brian Bonin, center
1995-96 Brian Bonin, center
1996-97 Mike Crowley, defense
1997-98 Wyatt Smith, center
1998-99 Wyatt Smith, center
1999-00 Erik Westrum, center
2000-01 Erik Westrum, center
2001-02 Jordan Leopold, defense
2002-03 Thomas Vanek, wing
2003-04 Keith Ballard, defense
2004-05 Kellen Briggs, goaltender; Danny Irmen, wing
2005-06 Ryan Potulny, defense
2006-07 Alex Goligoski, defense
2007-08 Alex Kangas, goaltender
2008-09 Ryan Stoa, forward
2009-10 Tony Lucia, forward
2010-11 Kent Patterson, goaltender
2011-12 Kent Patterson, goaltender; Nick Bjugstad, forward
2012-13 Nate Schmidt, defense
2013-14 Adam Wilcox, goaltender
2014-15 Mike Reilly, defense
2015-16 Justin Kloos, forward
2016-17 Justin Kloos, forward
2017-18 Casey Mittelstadt, forward
2018-19 Rem Pitlick, forward
2019-20 Sammy Walker, forward
2020-21 Jack LaFontaine, goaltender
2021-22 Ben Meyers, forward
2022-23 Matthew Knies, forward
2023-24 Jaxon Nelson, forward
2024-25 Jimmy Snuggerud, forward
Mike Crupi Most Determined Player Award
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.
1972-73 Brad Buetow, wing
1973-74 Bruce Carlson, wing
1974-75 Pat Phippen, wing
1975-76 Pat Phippen, wing; Tom Mohr, goaltender
1976-77 Tom Vannelli, center
1977-78 Rob McClanahan, wing
1978-79 Rob McClanahan, wing; Don Micheletti, wing
1979-80 Peter Hayek, defense
1980-81 Mike Knoke, defense
1981-82 Brian Thoresen, wing; Dave Dillon, defense
1982-83 Mike Harrer, wing
1983-84 Jeff Larson, center
1984-85 Rick Erdall, center; Kurt Larson, defense
1985-86 Gary Shopek, defense; Eric Dornfeld, defense
1986-87 Gary Shopek, defense
1987-88 Peter Hankinson, wing
1988-89 Brett Strot, wing
1989-90 Dean Williamson, center
1990-91 Ken Gernander, wing
1991-92 Scott Bell, wing
1992-93 Scott Bell, wing
1993-94 Justin McHugh, wing
1994-95 Scott Bell, wing
1995-96 Charlie Wasley, defense
1996-97 Dan Hendrickson, wing
1997-98 Jason Godbout, defense; Brett Abrahamson, defense
1998-99 Erik Wendell, wing; Mike Anderson, wing
1999-00 John Pohl, center
2000-01 John Pohl, center/wing
2001-02 John Pohl, center
2002-03 Grant Potulny, wing
2003-04 Grant Potulny, wing
2004-05 Danny Irmen, wing
2005-06 Danny Irmen, wing
2006-07 Brent Solei, goalie
2007-08 Brent Solei, goalie
2008-09 Justin Bostrom, forward
2009-10 Taylor Matson, center
2010-11 Taylor Matson, center
2011-12 Taylor Matson, center
2012-13 Kyle Rau, forward
2013-14 Ryan Reilly, forward
2014-15 Ryan Reilly, forward
2015-16 Leon Bristedt, forward
2016-17 Vinni Lettieri, forward
2017-18 Leon Bristedt, forward
2018-19 Rem Pitlick, forward
2019-20 Sampo Ranta, forward; Ryan Johnson, defense
2020-21 Ryan Johnson, defense; Jack LaFontaine, goaltender; Ben Meyers, forward
2021-22 Brock Faber, defense
2022-23 Brock Faber, defense
2023-24 Oliver Moore, forward
2024-25 Oliver Moore, forward
Frank Pond Rookie of the Year Award
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 & Gold to a 46-24-4 record behind the bench. Pond passed away in 1993.
1972-73 Buzz Schneider, wing; Dick Spannbauer, defense
1973-74 John Sheridan, center
1974-75 Reed Larson, defense
1975-76 Don Madson, center
1976-77 Tim Harrer, wing
1977-78 Steve Ulseth, wing
1978-79 Neal Broten, center
1979-80 Aaron Broten, center
1980-81 Tom Rothstein, wing
1981-82 Tom Hirsch, defense
1982-83 Frank Pietrangelo, goaltender
1983-84 Gary Shopek, defense
1984-85 John Blue, goalie
1985-86 Todd Richards, defense
1986-87 Peter Hankinson, wing
1987-88 Grant Bischoff, wing
1988-89 Tom Pederson, defense
1989-90 Trent Klatt, wing; Tom Newman, goaltender
1990-91 Chris McAlpine, defense
1991-92 Darby Hendrickson, center
1992-93 Dan Trebil, defense
1993-94 Brian La Fleur, defense
1994-95 Mike Crowley, defense
1995-96 Erik Rasmussen, wing
1996-97 Dave Spehar, center
1997-98 Erik Westrum, center
1998-99 Jordan Leopold, defense
1999-00 Jeff Taffe, center
2000-01 Grant Potulny, wing
2001-02 Keith Ballard, defense
2002-03 Thomas Vanek, wing
2003-04 Kellen Briggs, goaltender
2004-05 Alex Goligoski, defense
2005-06 Phil Kessel, center
2006-07 Kyle Okposo, forward
2007-08 Alex Kangas, goaltender
2008-09 Jordan Schroeder, forward
2009-10 Nick Leddy, defense
2010-11 Nick Bjugstad, center
2011-12 Kyle Rau, wing
2012-13 Adam Wilcox, goaltender
2013-14 Hudson Fasching, forward
2014-15 Ryan Collins, defense
2015-16 Eric Schierhorn, goaltender
2016-17 Rem Pitlick, forward
2017-18 Casey Mittelstadt, forward
2018-19 Sammy Walker, forward
2019-20 Ben Meyers, forward
2020-21 Brock Faber, defense
2021-22 Matthew Knies, forward
2022-23 Logan Cooley, forward
2023-24 Sam Rinzel, defense
2024-25 Brodie Ziemer, forward
Elwin “Doc” Romnes Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
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.
1977-78 Bill Baker, defense; Mark Lambert, center
1978-79 Bill Baker, defense
1979-80 Don Micheletti, wing
1980-81 Steve Ulseth, wing
1981-82 Kevin Hartzell, center
1982-83 Butsy Erickson, wing
1983-84 Mike Vacanti, goaltender
1984-85 Mike Guentzel, defense
1985-86 Wally Chapman, wing
1986-87 Tim Bergland, defense
1987-88 Jay Cates, center
1988-89 David Espe, defense
1989-90 Ken Gernander, center
1990-91 Ben Hankinson, wing; Grant Bischoff, wing
1991-92 Doug Zmolek, defense
1992-93 Craig Johnson, center
1993-94 Eric Means, defense
1994-95 Justin McHugh, wing
1995-96 Dan Trebil, defense
1996-97 Casey Hankinson, forward
1997-98 Casey Hankinson, forward
1998-99 Bill Kohn, defense
1999-00 Nate Miller, forward
2000-01 Dylan Mills, defense
2001-02 Jordan Leopold, defense; John Pohl, center
2002-03 Grant Potulny, wing
2003-04 Grant Potulny, wing
2004-05 Judd Stevens, defense
2005-06 Gino Guyer, center
2006-07 Mike Vannelli, defense
2007-08 Derek Peltier, defense
2008-09 Ryan Stoa, forward
2009-10 Tony Lucia, forward
2010-11 Mike Hoeffel, forward
2011-12 Taylor Matson, forward
2012-13 Zach Budish, forward
2013-14 Nate Condon, forward
2014-15 Kyle Rau, forward
2015-16 Justin Kloos, forward
2016-17 Jake Bischoff, defense; Justin Kloos, forward
2017-18 Mike Szmatula, forward
2018-19 Tyler Sheehy, forward
2019-20 Tyler Nanne, defense
2020-21 Sammy Walker, forward
2021-22 Ben Meyers, forward
2022-23 Brock Faber, defense
2023-24 Mason Nevers, forward
2024-25 Mason Nevers, forward
Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award
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.
1978-79 Phil Verchota, wing
1979-80 John Meredith, wing
1980-81 Bob Bergloff, defense
1981-82 Jeff Teal, wing
1982-83 Steve Griffith, wing
1983-84 Mike Guentzel, defense
1984-85 Tom Parenteau, defense
1985-86 Tim Bergland, wing
1986-87 Eric Dornfeld, defense
1987-88 Brett Nelson, defense
1988-89 Dean Williamson, center; Lance Pitlick, defense
1989-90 Brett Strot, wing
1990-91 Luke Johnson, defense
1991-92 Cory Laylin, wing
1992-93 Tom Newman, goalie
1993-94 Tony Bianchi, wing
1994-95 Dan Trebil, defense; Jeff Callinan, goaltender
1995-96 Greg Zwakman, defense
1996-97 Brian LaFleur, defense
1997-98 Reggie Berg, forward
1998-99 Reggie Berg, forward; Erik Westrum, center
1999-00 Adam Hauser, goaltender
2000-01 Matt Koalska, forward
2001-02 Adam Hauser, goaltender
2002-03 Jake Fleming, wing
2003-04 Jon Waibel, wing
2004-05 Garrett Smaagaard, wing
2005-06 Ben Gordon, wing
2006-07 Jay Barriball, forward; Evan Kaufmann, forward
2007-08 Mike Howe, forward
2008-09 Justin Bostrom, forward; Tony Lucia, forward
2009-10 Jacob Cepis, forward
2010-11 Kent Patterson, goaltender
2011-12 Jake Kremer, goaltender
2012-13 Justin Holl, defense
2013-14 Michael Shibrowski, goaltender
2014-15 Jake Bischoff, defense
2015-16 Jake Bischoff, defense; Nick Seeler, defense
2016-17 Jake Bischoff, defense
2017-18 Jack Ramsey, forward
2018-19 Jack Sadek, defense; Eric Schierhorn, goaltender
2019-20 Ryan Zuhlsdorf, defense
2020-21 Cullen Munson, forward
2021-22 Justen Close, goaltender
2022-23 Mason Nevers, forward
2023-24 Carl Fish, defense
2024-25 Luke Mittelstadt, defense
John Mayasich Outstanding Student-Athlete Award
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 & 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.
“The words to describe the boy haven’t been invented,” John Mariucci said of Mayasich. “When I say he’s the best, that’s totally inadequate.”
1976-77 Phil Verchota, wing
1977-78 Phil Verchota, wing
1978-79 Bill Baker, defense
1979-80 David Terwilliger, wing; Kevin Hartzell, center
1980-81 David Terwilliger, wing; Kevin Hartzell, center
1981-82 Paul Butters, goaltender
1982-83 Paul Butters, goaltender
1983-84 Tony Kellin, defense
1984-85 Tony Kellin, defense
1985-86 Craig Mack, defense
1986-87 Craig Mack, defense
1987-88 Steve Orth, center
1988-89 Jason Miller, center
1989-90 Jason Miller, center
1990-91 Jason Miller, center
1991-92 Sean Fabian, defense
1992-93 Jeff Nielsen, wing
1993-94 Dan Trebil, defense
1994-95 Greg Zwakman, defense
1995-96 Dan Trebil, defense
1996-97 Brian LaFleur, defense
1997-98 Ryan Kraft, wing
1998-99 Nate Miller, wing
1999-00 Ryan Trebil, defense
2000-01 Dylan Mills, defense
2001-02 Erik Wendell, wing
2002-03 Chad Roberg, wing
2003-04 Judd Stevens, defense
2004-05 Judd Stevens, defense
2005-06 Mike Howe, wing
2006-07 Tom Pohl, forward
2007-08 Evan Kaufmann, forward
2008-09 Brian Schack, defense
2009-10 Nico Sacchetti, forward
2010-11 Nick Larson, center
2011-12 Nate Condon, wing
2012-13 Nate Condon, wing
2013-14 Kyle Rau, forward
2014-15 Kyle Rau, forward
2015-16 Hudson Fasching, forward
2016-17 Jake Bischoff, defense
2017-18 Leon Bristedt, forward
2018-19 Tyler Nanne, defense
2019-20 Nathan Burke, forward
2020-21 Sam Rossini, defense
2021-22 Colin Schmidt, forward
2022-23 Colin Schmidt, forward
2023-24 Nathan Airey, goaltender
2024-25 Axel Begley, defense
Donald M. Clark Community Service Award
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.
1998-99 Mike Lyons, defense
1999-00 Jordan Leopold, defense; John Pohl, center
2000-01 Jordan Leopold, defense
2001-02 Judd Stevens, defense
2002-03 Justin Johnson, goaltender
2003-04 Justin Johnson, goaltender
2004-05 Justin Johnson, goaltender
2005-06 Gino Guyer, center
2006-07 Tom Pohl, forward
2007-08 Tom Pohl, forward
2008-09 Justin Bostrom, forward
2009-10 Seth Helgeson, defense
2010-11 Seth Helgeson, defense
2011-12 Seth Helgeson, defense
2012-13 Adam Wilcox, goaltender
2013-14 Jake Parenteau, defense
2014-15 A.J. Michaelson, forward
2015-16 Jack Sadek, defense
2016-17 Mitch Rogge, forward
2017-18 Darian Romanko, forward
2018-19 Jack Sadek, defense
2019-20 Ben Brinkman, defense
2020-21 Sammy Walker, forward
2021-22 Colin Schmidt, forward; Ryan Johnson, defense
2022-23 Ryan Johnson, defense
2023-24 Aaron Huglen, forward
2024-25 Aaron Huglen, foward
Tom Mohr Playoff MVP Award
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.
1999-00 Erik Westrum, center
2000-01 Erik Westrum, center
2001-02 Grant Potulny, wing
2002-03 Thomas Vanek, wing
2003-04 Troy Riddle, wing
2004-05 Barry Tallackson, wing
2005-06 Ryan Potulny, center
2006-07 Blake Wheeler, center
2007-08 Alex Kangas, goaltender
2008-09 Ryan Stoa, forward
2009-10 Alex Kangas, goaltender
2010-11 Kent Patterson, goaltender
2011-12 Erik Haula, center
2012-13 Adam Wilcox, goaltender
2013-14 Adam Wilcox, goaltender
2014-15 Adam Wilcox, goaltender
2016-17 Justin Kloos, forward
2017-18 Casey Mittelstadt, forward
2018-19 Mat Robson, goaltender
2019-20 Jack LaFontaine, goaltender
2020-21 Sampo Ranta, forward
2021-22 Ben Meyers, forward
2022-23 Justen Close, goaltender
2023-24 Jaxon Nelson, forward
2024-25 Jimmy Snuggerud, forward