DeRidder Named to Richter Award Watch List

East Lansing, Mich. -- Drew DeRidder is among the 28 nominees for the Mike Richter Award, given annually to the top goalie in men's NCAA Division I hockey since 2014. The Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) announced the "Watch List" on Thursday, Jan. 20.

DeRidder is posting the best numbers of his career as a senior. His current .937 save percentage tops the Big Ten and is fifth among Division I goaltenders, and he leads the country in saves per game (34.62), while ranking sixth nationally with 554 saves. DeRidder boasts a 2.30 goals against average, which ranks is fourth in the B1G and 38th nationally, and he has surpassed his career best with eight victories and two shutouts this season through January 15. In addition, DeRidder was between the pipes for both of MSU's overtime victories, earning assists on the game-winning goals in each.

The 28 goalies come from the United States (16), Canada (8), Sweden (2), Czech Republic (1) and Slovakia (1). Of the U.S. goalies, Minnesota leads the way with five, followed by Michigan and New York with two each. Alaska, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin can each claim one. Of the eight Canadian goalies, five are from Ontario, two from Quebec and one from Alberta. Both Quebec goalies come from Dollard Des Ormeaux. There are three freshmen, seven sophomores, 11 juniors, two seniors and five graduate students among those recognized.

A committee of voters — made up of a cross section of coaches, administrators, scouts and media — will pare this list down to approximately 15 names within the next two weeks and then ultimately choose the winner who will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four. A similar award to recognize the top female goalie in the NCAA is also presented by the HCA.

2021-22 Richter Award "Watch List"
Atlantic Hockey
Gavin Abric, Army West Point (SO – Hayward, WI)
Jacob Barczewski, Canisius (JR - O'Fallon, MO)
Evan DeBrouwer, Bentley (GR - Blenheim, ON)

Big Ten
Ryan Bischel, Notre Dame (JR — Medina, MN)
Drew DeRidder, Michigan State (SR – Fenton, MI)
Jakub Dobeš, Ohio State (FR- Ostrava, Czech Republic)
Matthew Galajda, Notre Dame (GR — Aurora, ON)
Jared Moe, Wisconsin (JR - New Prague, MN)
Erik Portillo, Michigan (SO — Gothenburg, Sweden)

CCHA
Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (SR - Downers Grove, IL)
Blake Pietila, Michigan Tech (JR - Howell, MI)

ECAC Hockey
Ethan Haider, Clarkson (SO – Maples Grove, MN)
Connor Murphy, Union (JR — Hudson Falls, NY)
Yaniv Perets, Quinnipiac (SO* – Dollard Des Ormeaux, PQ)
Ian Shane, Cornell (FR — Manhattan Beach, CA)

Past Richter Award Recipients: 2014 - Connor Hellebuyck, UMass Lowell; 2015 - Zane McIntyre, North Dakota; 2016 - Thatcher Demko, Boston College; 2017 - Tanner Jaillet, Denver; 2018 - Cale Morris, Notre Dame; 2019 - Cayden Primeau, Northeastern; 2020 - Jeremy Swayman, Maine; 2021 - Jack LaFontaine, Minnesota.

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