The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) has announced its Players of the Month for October and four student-athletes from four different programs have been recognized. Alex Gaffney (St. Thomas) was named Forward of the Month, while Evan Murr (Minnesota State) garnered Defenseman of the Month honors for the third time in his career. Josh Kotai (Augustana) claimed his third Goaltender of the Month award and Teydon Trembecky (Michigan Tech) was the Rookie of the Month.

Follow the CCHA: Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube
 
CCHA Forward of the Month: Alex Gaffney, Gr., St. Thomas (West Orange, N.J.) 
 
Gaffney led CCHA skaters in goals (5), points (11) and power-play goals (3) in October, while finishing third in both assists (6) and shorthanded goals (1). Ranking fourth in shots on goal (25), he was a -1 in eight games for the Tommies, recording four blocks defensively. His month was highlighted by recording a two-goal, two-assist game in an 11-2 victory at Air Force on October 17.



CCHA Defenseman of the Month: Evan Murr, Jr., Minnesota State (Stillwater, Minn.) 
 
Murr paced league blueliners in goals (3) and shots (23) during the month of October, while finishing second in points (5), power-play goals (1) and game-winners (1). He was +1 in seven games for the Mavericks, blocking six shots defensively. Earning his second consecutive Defenseman of the Month award dating back to last season, he finished October on a four-game point streak.



CCHA Goaltender of the Month: Josh Kotai, Jr., Augustana (Abbotsford, B.C.) 
 
Kotai led CCHA goaltenders with a .937 save percentage in October, going 4-3-0 with a 1.86 goals against average, which was good for second in the league. One of three conference netminders to register a shutout, he was second in the league in total saves with 193. Ranking second nationally in save percentage among netminders with at least six starts, he has been the lone Vikings goalie to see time between the pipes so far this season, racking up 420:05 minutes.



CCHA Rookie of the Month: Teydon Trembecky, Fr., Michigan Tech (Sherwood Park, Alta.) 
 
Trembecky led conference rookies and was fifth nationally in points (9) in October, while finishing fourth in goals (5). First in the country in power-play tallies (3) among first-year skaters, he was even for the month, with 23 shots on goal and seven blocks defensively. After opening his collegiate career with a three-game point streak, he added a pair of multi-point efforts, including a career-high three points on two goals and one assist, in a 5-1 victory over Ferris State on October 24. He has notched multiple points three of Tech's first four series this season.



For more information, contact: 

Perry Laskaris 
Director of Strategic Communications & Brand Advancement 
Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) 
Laskaris@ccha.com 
(651) 308-1065 

2025-26 CCHA Monthly Awards
 
Forward:
October, 2025: Alex Gaffney (UST)

Defenseman:
October, 2025: Evan Murr (MSU)

Goaltender:
October, 2025: Josh Kotai (AU)

Rookie:
October, 2025: Teydon Trembecky (MTU)