Men's Ice Hockey

Six players earn All-CCHA First Team honors

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) is proud to announce the six skaters that were named to the to the 2021-22 All-CCHA First Team. Minnesota State led the way with four representatives, while Bemidji State and Michigan Tech each placed one player on the All-CCHA First Team. Minnesota State’s Nathan Smith finished first among CCHA forwards on the ballot with 41 (of a maximum 42) points earned among the CCHA head coaches. Michigan Tech’s Brian Halonen received 35 points while Minnesota State’s Julian Napravnik tallied 26 points.
 
Jake Livingstone (Minnesota State) garnered the most points among CCHA defensemen with 22 (out of a maximum 28) points, while Bemidji State’s Elias Rosén secured 18 points.
 
In net, Minnesota State goaltender Dryden McKay was the unanimous pick, receiving all 14 possible points from CCHA head coaches.
 
2021-22 All-CCHA First Team:
F – Nathan Smith, Minnesota State – 41 points
F – Brian Halonen, Michigan Tech – (35)
F – Julian Napravnik, Minnesota State (26)
D – Jake Livingstone, Minnesota State (22)
D – Elias Rosén, Bemidji State (18)
G – Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (14)
 
Despite missing four games while representing Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics this year, Minnesota State’s Nathan Smith finished second among all CCHA skaters in conference points-per-game (1.50), third in points (33), fifth in goals (13) and sixth in assists (20). Smith was named CCHA Player of the Week twice and was the CCHA Player of the Month for the month of December. Smith also recorded an impressive plus-20 rating on the campaign.
 
Michigan Tech’s Brian Halonen finished CCHA play as the conference leader in both points (36) and goals (16). He finished ranked fifth in the CCHA in assists (20) and with a plus-22 rating. Halonen scored three power-play goals and two game-winning goals and finished ranked second in the CCHA in shots on goal per game (3.54).
 
Minnesota State's Julian Napravnik finished the 2021-22 CCHA season as the leader in points-per-game average (1.55). Napravnik was fourth in scoring (13 goals), second in points (34) and assists (21), had three game-winning goals and a plus-27 rating, also in four less games possible. Napravnik was named CCHA Forward of the Week once and CCHA Player of the Month for the month of January.
 
Minnesota State defenseman Jake Livingstone recorded 19 points, including seven goals and 12 assists in 26 games played for the Mavericks this season. The blueliner earned 0.73 points-per-game, had one game-winning goal, one shorthanded goal and a plus-22 rating on the ice. Livingstone is a two-time CCHA Defenseman of the Month and was named CCHA Player of the Week in November.
 
Bemidji State defenseman Elias Rosén led all CCHA defensemen in conference play, posting 20 points (6g-14a) in 25 games. His six goals in conference play is the second most among league defensemen. Rosén Led the team with four game-winning goals which is tied for the most in the league and all of which have been in conference games. Rosén finished tied for the team lead with five power-play goals on a power-play unit that is second in the CCHA with a percentage of .257. He is a three-time CCHA Defenseman of the Week this campaign and was named the CCHA Defenseman of the Month for January.
 
Minnesota State's Dryden McKay earned CCHA Goaltender of the Week a record seven times and CCHA Goaltender of the month three times. He finished first in CCHA conference play in both goals against average (1.05) and save percentage (.942). He started in 25 of 26 CCHA games, seeing 1,482:17 of playing time. McKay made 423 saves on the season, boasting an impressive record of 23-2-0 and six shutouts.
 
Voting for the 2021-22 All-CCHA Teams and CCHA Players/Coach of the Year awards were conducted by the eight head coaches at each CCHA member institution, based on CCHA conference games only. Coaches voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, followed by three rookie forwards and two rookie defensemen, all in descending order, and one rookie goaltender. Lastly, the eight CCHA head coaches voted for one player or coach from each of the respective individual categories. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players or self.
 
The CCHA will announce its 2021-22 Individual award winners tomorrow, Wednesday, Mar. 16 and Thursday, Mar. 17.
 
Fans can join the conversation on social media by including the use of the hashtag #CCHAawards on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.

To stay updated with the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, visit www.ccha.com and follow the official social media accounts of the CCHA on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter: @CCHAHockey.