Zack Friedli, who served as a student assistant in the University of Minnesota Duluth Sports Information Office this past year, has been named the 15th recipient of the prestigious Brian Fishman Internship by USA Hockey. Friedli's experience will include a year in the communications division at USA Hockey's national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., beginning in June, and another 12 months interning in the communications department at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Brian Fishman Internship is awarded annually to an outstanding college graduate pursuing a career in athletic communications. It was established in 1999 in honor of the late Brian Fishman, who served as the manager of communications and marketing for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He died unexpectedly on Jan. 7, 1999, at the age of 28.

“I cannot thank the Fishman family and USA Hockey enough for the amazing opportunity to work as the Brian Fishman Intern,” said Friedli. “I'm excited to begin this new journey and I hope I can honor Brian's legacy by embodying the traits that he so clearly demonstrated during his life.”

Friedli's responsibilities will include assisting with various communication projects, event promotions and publishing initiatives, including working with USA Hockey Magazine.

Friedli, a native of Rochester, Minn., who will graduate from UMD later this month with a degree in political science, spent the 2012-13 season writing game recaps, player bios and press releases, aiding in media guide development and assisting in game day operations at UMD men's ice hockey games. He wrote for  Minnesota Hockey Hub the past two years and from 2008 to 2011 was with InsideHockey.com, where he was an editor and intern.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Zack and a well-deserved one," said UMD sports infomation director Bob Nygaard. "I couldn't be more excited for him. He'll be a terrific addition to the USA Hockey staff."