Andy Welinski, who this past winter became just the second individual to reign as the University of Minnesota Duluth's top-scoring defensemen for four consecutive seasons, was voted the Bulldogs' Most Valuable Player (Mike Seiler Award) for 2015-16.

A minutes-munching Duluth product, Welinski secured All-National Collegiate Hockey Conference second team recognition for a second straight year after racking up 19 points on six goals and 13 assists while going a career-high +13. He joined Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner Tom Kurvers (1980-84) and All-American Bob Hill (1962-66) as the only Bulldogs to pace UMD defensemen in scoring four times.  Welinski captained the 2015-16 Bulldogs to the NCAA Northeast Regional final in Worcester, Mass., where earned a spot on that event's All-Tournament Team. The 2012-13 Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team honoree took a shift in all 154 games since he joined the UMD program three years ago. Welinski, who was selected in the third round (83rd pick overall) by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2011 National Hockey League Draft, signed on with the Ducks last month and is currently skating for their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Welinski's blue line partner, Neal Pionk, was bestowed with the Jerry Chumola Rookie of the Year Award on the heels of a debut season in which he ranked second among all NCHC first-year defensemen in points (17) and assists (13). Pionk was also one of only six Bulldogs to appear in all 40 games this past season. Senior assistant captain and 2015-16 NCHC Sportsmanship Award recipient Cal Decowski received the Goldie Wolfe Award (Most Inspirational Player) while the Mike Sertich Award (Most Improved Player) went to freshman right winger Parker Mackay, who collected four goals and two assists in his first collegiate go-around. In addition, senior goaltender Matt McNeely was the winner of the Bulldog Community Service Award.