Three University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey players were named National Collegiate Hockey Conference end of year award finalists -- Max Plante as NCHC Rookie of the Year, Dominic James as the Defensive Forward of the Year, and Joe Molenaar for the NCHC Sportsmanship Award.


Plante, a Hermantown, Minn. native, led all NCHC rookies with 21 points in conference play, despite only playing 20 NCHC games, while his 1.05 points per game was eighth among all skaters in NCHC action. The Detroit Red Wings draft pick buried seven goals and added 14 assists in conference play, with his 14 helpers tied for second among all freshmen. In all games, Plante has 23 points (7g, 6a) in 21 games after missing most of non-conference play with an injury. He was twice named Rookie of the Week this season.


The Bulldogs have had just one NCHC Rookie of the Year since joining the league -- Scott Perunovich in 2019-20.


James has scored 12 goals this season, rolling right past his previous season high of 10 set in his sophomore year (2022-23). In all, James leads the Bulldogs with 28 points, which also ties his career high of 28 put up in 2022-23, but its his defensive efforts that earned him a finalist as an award this season. The native of Plymouth, Mich., James has 26 blocks this season, and is as effective as a back-checking center as any in the entire league.


UMD has had three previous winners of the award -- back-to-back honoree Justin Richards in 2019-20 and 2018-19, and Dominic Toninato in 2016-17.


Molenaar, a native of Minnetonka, Minn., earns finalist status for one of the most honorable conference awards. The graduate forward has been the utmost role model in the locker room, on the ice and away from the rink. A gritty hard working player on the ice who plays the game with a tremendous amount of respect for his opponents, Molenaar is selfless with this body and is known for a playing style that includes blocking shots for his team. Currently, Molenaar has 23 blocks through 29 games this season. 


Known for his calm head, Molenaar has been a strong presence for the 11 freshmen on the UMD squad this season. A great mentor for younger teammates, Molenaar is also a great mentor for other younger hockey players away from the rink, and he goes out of his way to help others in need. Molenaar is perfect example of a well rounded student athlete and even better person, the perfect candidate for the NCHC Sportsmanship Award.


UMD has had a league-high tying high of four previous award winners, including Darian Gotz, who earned the honor last season. Prior to Gotz, Kobe Roth was selected in 2019-20, Karson Kuhlman in 2017-18 and Cal Decowski in 2015-16 -- the Bulldogs first honoree.


Long time radio play-by-play announcer Bruce Ciskie is also a finalist for the NCHC Media Excellence Award. Ciskie, currently in his 20th season behind the microphone, not only provides coverage and insight of the Bulldogs, but all NCHC teams with his weekly radio shows on KDAL 610 AM in Duluth, Minn. Ciskie has gone above to cover not only UMD men's hockey and the NCHC, but all of UMD athletics.