The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) has announced the finalists for 2024-25 Defensive Defenseman of the Year, Defensive Forward of the Year and Rookie of the Year and eight student-athletes from seven different programs have been recognized. Blueliners Hayden Hennen (Augustana), Chase Pietila (Michigan Tech) and Travis Shoudy (Ferris State) are up for top Defensive Defenseman, while Ben Doran (Bowling Green), Jackson Jutting (Bemidji State) and Zach Krajnik (Minnesota State) are vying for Defensive Forward honors. Jakub Altrichter (Northern Michigan) and Elias Jansson (Michigan Tech) are the finalists for Rookie of the Year. The winners of each award will be announced next week.
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CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year Finalist: Hayden Hennen, So., Augustana (Hallock, Minn.)
Hennen played in all 16 CCHA games for the Vikings this season, recording a goal and seven assists for eight points with a +4 rating. He had 33 shots on goal and blocked 20 shots defensively, with one game-winning goal. In a 1-0 victory at Bowling Green on January 24, he blocked a season-high five shots and scored the only goal of the game, in overtime, to help Augustana pick up vital road points. Overall, he has played in 31 games for AU this season, amassing three goals and 12 assists for 15 points.
CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year Finalist: Chase Pietila, So., Michigan Tech (Howell, Mich.)
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 has seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points this season.
CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year Finalist: Travis Shoudy, Jr., Ferris State (Marysville, Mich.)
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 has played in all 34 contests, picking up six goals and 12 assists for 18 points.
CCHA Defensive Forward of the Year Finalist: Ben Doran, So., Bowling Green (Chesterfield, Mo.)
Doran played in all 26 CCHA for the Falcons this season, scoring eight goals with five assists for 13 points. Producing a +7 rating with two power-play tallies and two game-winners. Overall, he has netted nine goals with nine assists for 18 points, adding 80 shots on goal and 13 blocks. He has won over half of his face-offs, totaling 250 on the year.
CCHA Defensive Forward of the Year Finalist: Jackson Jutting, Gr., Bemidji State (Savage, Minn.)
Jutting was Co-Defensive Forward of the Year last season and returned to produce 10 goals and six assists for 16 points in 26 conference games. Posting a -4 in league play, he had 81 shots on goal, while blocking 12 and winning 313 draws, compared to 289 losses for a 52% rate. Overall, he has 12 goals and six assists for 18 points.
CCHA Defensive Forward of the Year Finalist: Zach Krajnik, Gr., Minnesota State (Eagle River, Alaska)
Krajnik appeared in all 26 CCHA games for the Mavericks in 2024-25, scoring a goal with four assists for five points. He was a +2 with 38 shots and 10 blocks at the defensive end of the ice. Overall, he produced one goal and six assists for seven points.
CCHA Rookie of the Year Finalist: Jakub Altrichter, Fr., Northern Michigan (Prague, Czechia)
Altrichter played in all 26 CCHA contests for the Wildcats, scoring three goals with 14 assists for 17 points. He was a -4 with 69 shots on goal and 17 blocks defensively. In the face-off circle, he won 52.9% of his draws. Overall, he has three goals and 16 assists for 19 points.
CCHA Rookie of the Year Finalist: Elias Jansson, Fr., Michigan Tech (Oulu, Finland)
Jansson paced CCHA rookies with 20 points in conference play, scoring 10 goals with 10 assists. Totaling 61 shots, he was a +1 with five power-play goals, one game-winner and one hat trick. He also had two blocks defensively. Overall, he has 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points.
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 Monday with the finalists for Defenseman of the Year (11am ET), Goaltender of the Year (12pm ET) and Forward of the Year (1pm ET).
The 2025 Mason Cup Playoffs begin tonight, with four best-of-three quarterfinal series. 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