Michigan State University Athletics
Hildebrand Named Mike Richter Award Finalist
3/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN. - Michigan State goaltender Jake Hildebrand has been named one of five finalists for the 2015 Mike Richter Award, which honors the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men's hockey, it was announced today, March 18, by Let's Play Hockey and the Herb Brooks Foundation. The second annual award will be presented by Mike Richter at the 2015 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Boston.
Hildebrand joins Kyle Hayton of St. Lawrence, Alex Lyon of Yale, Zane McIntyre of North Dakota and Jamie Phillips of Michigan Tech as finalists for the award.
Hildebrand was named the Big Ten Player and Goaltender of the Year as he leads the league in goals-against average (2.12), save percentage (.930) and shutouts (6). His six shutouts rank second in the nation. The native of Butler, Pa., has started all 34 games, allowing two or fewer goals in 20 of those contests.
Since Jan. 1, he leads the nation in save percentage (.950), ranks sixth in goals-against average (1.55) and has posted five shutouts - second most in the country - over the 16-game stretch. Hildebrand has 15 games with 30 or more saves, including a career-high 48-save effort in a 2-2 tie at Penn State on Jan. 16.
He has been named the Big Ten's First Star of the Week a league-high four times this season.
Hildebrand's outstanding season has placed his name among the best goaltenders in Michigan State history. His 10-career shutouts are fifth most in MSU history - two behind Chad Alban (1994-98) and Jeff Lerg (2005-09) for third place.
Hildebrand surpassed both Ryan Miller (1999-2002) and Norm Foster (1984-87) on the Spartan career saves list this season and is now tied with Alban for sixth place on the chart as both have 2,735 stops.
Off the ice, Hildebrand carries a 3.125 GPA and is active in the team's community service initiatives.
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 are 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
Connor Hellebuyck of UMass Lowell won the inaugural Mike Richter Award in 2014.
About Let's Play Hockey: In its 43rd season and based in the Twin Cities, Let's Play Hockey is the longest-running hockey newspaper in the U.S., serving the largest hockey market in the nation. Let's Play Hockey is published 29 times a year - weekly during the hockey season and monthly during the offseason.
About the Herb Brooks Foundation: The Herb Brooks Foundation is dedicated to growing the game of hockey and giving the game back to the kids. Founded in 2003 by Dan Brooks and Kelly Brooks Paradise, Herb's family and friends created the foundation to preserve his legacy by continuing his life's work by growing the game by "making hockey fun for kids and letting them learn to love the game the way we did."
