The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) has announced the finalists for 2024-25 Defenseman of the Year, Goaltender of the Year and Forward of the Year, and nine student-athletes from six different programs have been recognized. Blueliners Evan Murr (Minnesota State), Chase Pietila (Michigan Tech) and Travis Shoudy (Ferris State) are vying top defenseman honors, while Josh Kotai (Augustana), Christian Stoever (Bowling Green) and Alex Tracy (Minnesota State) have been selected as the league's top goalies. Liam Malmquist (St. Thomas), Rhett Pitlick (Minnesota State) and Lucas Wahlin (St. Thomas) are in the running for top forward in the conference. The winners will be announced on Thursday.
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CCHA Defenseman of the Year Finalist: Evan Murr, So., Minnesota State (Stillwater, Minn.)
Murr paced CCHA blueliners with 22 points in 26 CCHA games, scoring five goals with 17 assists. Amassing a +11 rating, he recorded 53 shots and 23 blocks defensive, with four power play tallies and one game-winner. He notched six multi-point games in conference play was assessed only three minor penalties. Overall, he has six goals and 19 assists for 25 points.
CCHA Defenseman of the Year Finalist: Chase Pietila, So., Michigan Tech (Howell, Mich.)
Also a finalist for Defensive Defenseman of the Year, Pietila anchored the Michigan Tech blueline in all 26 CCHA games this season, collecting five goals and eight assists for 13 points. Producing an even rating throughout the conference schedule, he recorded 55 shots on goal and blocked 25 in his own end, with two power-play tallies. He had an assist and was a +3 in the Huskies' 9-5 win at Bemidji State on December 14, before blocking a season-best six shots against Lake Superior State on January 10. Overall, he had seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points this season.
CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year Finalist: Travis Shoudy, Jr., Ferris State (Marysville, Mich.)
Also a finalist for Defensive Defenseman of the Year, Shoudy suited up in all 26 CCHA contests for the Bulldogs in 2024-25, producing five goals and 12 assists for 17 points, with a +7 rating. Netting one game-winning goal, he notched 65 shots and 32 blocks, helping Ferris State to 11 regulation victories during conference play. He was a +1 with a season-high four blocks in the Bulldogs' 2-0 shutout of eventual MacNaughton Cup Champion Minnesota State on January 24. For the season, he played in all 36 contests, picking up six goals and 12 assists for 18 points.
CCHA Goaltender of the Year Finalist: Josh Kotai, So., Augustana (Abbotsford, B.C.)
Kotai played in 15 CCHA games this season, posting a 9-4-1 record with a 2.05 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage, with one shutout. He racked up 391 total saves in 847:46 minutes, including nine games of 25 or more stops and four with 30 or more. Overall, he went 17-10-3 with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage, recording two shutouts. A two-time CCHA Goaltender of the Month he earned national recognition in October and is a Mike Richter Award Semifinalist.
CCHA Goaltender of the Year Finalist: Christian Stoever, Sr., Bowling Green (Northville, Mich.)
Stoever appeared in 14 conference games this season, going 9-2-3 with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage, with two shutouts. He stopped 425 shots across 833:59 minutes, including 12 games of 24 or more saves. Overall, he boasts a 12-2-3 record, with a 1.74 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage, which are good for third and second in the nation, respectively. He was the CCHA Goaltender of the Month in December.
CCHA Goaltender of the Year Finalist: Alex Tracy, So., Minnesota State (Chicago, Ill.)
Tracy played in 25 of Minnesota State’s 26 conference games, going 17-5-3 with a 1.43 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage, which all led the league. He turned away 640 shots in 1514:48 minutes, picking up two shutouts. Overall, he is 24-8-3 with a 1.45 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage, with four shutouts. A two-time CCHA and national Goaltender of the Month, he currently leads the nation in wins, GAA, SV% and is a Semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award.
CCHA Forward of the Year Finalist: Liam Malmquist, Sr., St. Thomas (Edina, Minn.)
Malmquist notched 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 26 CCHA games this season, posting a +7 rating. He scored five power-play tallies, with a league-best two shorthanded goals, one game-winner and one hat trick. Amassing 87 shots on goal, he three blocks defensively. Overall, he has 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points, becoming the first Tommies player in the DI era to eclipse 40 points in a season. The CCHA Player of the Month in January, he is a two-time Player of the Week.
CCHA Forward of the Year Finalist: Rhett Pitlick, Sr., Minnesota State (Plymouth, Minn.)
Pitlick produced a CCHA-best 30 points on 10 goals and 20 assists in 26 league contests, posting a +22 rating, with 68 shots and 12 blocks defensively. He collected two power-play markers and two game-winners in conference play. Overall, he has 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points, including five game-winning goals, which rank 10th nationally. He earned CCHA Forward of the Month honors in October.
CCHA Forward of the Year Finalist: Lucas Wahlin, Sr., St. Thomas (Woodbury, Minn.)
Wahlin netted 14 goals with 15 assists for 29 points in 26 CCHA games this season, while posting a +7 rating. He totaled three power-play goals, one shorthanded marker and four game-winners, which was second in the league. Putting 99 shots on net, he blocked 24 defensively and won 47.4% of his draws. Overall, he has recorded 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points, earning CCHA Forward of the Month in February.
Voting for the 2024-25 All-CCHA Teams and year-end awards was conducted by the nine head coaches at each CCHA member institution, based on CCHA conference games only. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
The league's year-end award announcements continue on Tuesday with the CCHA All-Rookie Team (11am ET), Second Team All-CCHA (12pm ET) and First Team All-CCHA (1pm ET).
The 2025 Mason Cup Playoffs continue on Saturday with a pair of semfinal matchups. Every playoff game can be seen live on Midco Sports Plus! For complete bracket, links and news, visit ccha.com/masoncup.
For more information, contact:
Perry Laskaris
Director of Strategic Communications & Brand Advancement
Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA)
Laskaris@ccha.com
(651) 308-1065