Many referred to Johnny Gaudreau (pronounced GOO-dreau), as Johnny Hockey and for a very good reason. He tore through the college hockey season averaging two points per game, putting up 80 points in 40 games to record the highest point total in Division I college hockey in 11 years.
Gaudreau lit up everyone, recording points in all but two games, including a 31-game point streak to tie a Hockey East record (Paul Kariya, Maine, 1993). Two was his lucky number: two-time Hockey East scoring champion, two-time Hockey East Player of the Year, two-time all- conference, two-time First Team All American and two-time Hobey Baker hat-trick finalist. Gaudreau completed his Hobey season leading the nation in goals (36), assists (44), points (80) and was second in plus-minus (+42). He saved his best for last – in 3 NCAA playoff games, Johnny had 4 goals and 7 assists.
A communications major, Gaudreau signed a professional contract with the team who drafted him, the Calgary Flames and became just the fifth player in NHL history to score a goal on his first shot in his first NHL game. Off the ice, Johnny spent time visiting elementary schools and mentoring a special needs team. In his first NHL season (2014-15), Gaudreau scored 24 goals and 40 assists in 80 games and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.
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St. Lawrence University, Senior, Forward, Hamilton, Ontario
St. Cloud State University, Senior, Forward, Huntsville, Alabama
A dangerous offensive threat, Archibald became the first ever scoring champion of the new NCHC recording 32 points in 24 conference games. His constant ability to score goals saw him finish third in the nation in goal scoring (29) in 37 games. Named First Team all-conference, he was named the circuit’s Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. His coach Dean Blais, also coached his dad Jim at North Dakota.
Led the new Big Ten conference in points with 24 in 20 games; overall, he led the conference in points, tied for the lead in goals and was third in assists. Among the many offensive categories he topped the circuit in power play points with 18. A First Team all-conference performer, Dzingel can dangle with the best of them and had 13 multiple point games. He was also named First Team All-American.
(Pronounced GOSS-tiss-bear) The smooth, puck-handling defenseman helped Union to their first national championship. That followed ECAC regular season and playoff titles. Gostisbehere topped all college hockey players in the Hobey Baker fan ballot. An assistant captain, Gostisbehere ranked fourth in the nation in points by a defenseman (34) and topped the Dutchmen in shots on goal. He earned several league honors including First Team all-conference and was co-Player of the Year and co-Defensive Defenseman in the ECAC, as well as First Team All-American honors, following his Second Team nomination last year.
A linemate of Gaudreau, Hayes finished second in the nation in points and more than tripled his goal output from the previous season. His plus-minus of +34 was third in the nation as he averaged more than one and a half points per game. Hayes collected points in 12 straight outings mid-season, and was named the MVP of the historic Beanpot Tournament. He was fifth in the nation in goals and fourth in assists.
The newly remodeled WCHA found Ferris atop the league thanks to Motte and his 28 wins, tying him for the national lead. Ferris was ranked in the top five in the country for 15 weeks, propelled by a 16-game unbeaten streak and Motte didn’t lose a game in the first half of the season. A First Team all-conference selection, Motte has helped Ferris to two regular season titles in three years.
Coming back from an early season injury, Rumpel turned the Badgers into Big Ten contenders and helped them win the Big Ten playoff title. Named Second Team all-conference, he defined consistency throughout the season becoming the backbone of Wisconsin’s stingy team defense. Rumpel finished second in the conference in goals against average and save percentage.
Numerous conference honors were awarded to Wilcox including Big Ten Player of the Year, Goalie of the Year and First Team all-conference. He finished fourth in the nation in goals against average and second in save percentage, he was instrumental in the Gophers 16-week stay atop the national rankings. In 28 of 38 games played, he allowed two goals or less. Wilcox was also named a Second Team All-American.