Four Michigan goalies nominated for inaugural Mike Richter Award

By Michael Caples –

For the first time, a goaltender will be named the best in college hockey – and four Michigan netminders have a chance to be the winner.

Let’s Play Hockey and the Herb Brooks Foundation have teamed up to create the Mike Richter Award, which will be presented to the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men’s hockey. The inaugural award will be presented at the 2014 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in Philadelphia.

Michigan’s Zach Nagelvoort (Holland, Mich.), Ferris State’s CJ Motte (St. Clair, Mich.), UMass Lowell’s Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce, Mich.) and Michigan State goaltender Jake Hildebrand (Butler, Pa.) were among the 18 candidates announced today.

Per Let’s Play Hockey:

Candidates for the Mike Richter Award were determined by nominations from all 59 NCAA Division I men’s hockey head coaches. The finalists and winner will be selected by a committee of coaches, scouts and members of the media.

Criteria for the Mike Richter Award:
–    Candidates must display outstanding skills on the ice
–    Candidates should be in good academic standing at an NCAA college or university
–    Consideration should be given to academic achievement and sportsmanship
–    Candidates must comply with all NCAA rules; be full-time students at an NCAA college or university; and complete 50 percent or more of the season
–    Consideration should be given to the candidate’s activities in the community