OMAHA, Neb. – The UNO hockey team presented its annual year-end awards at a team function last week. Senior captain Joey Martin headlined the group of award winners by being named the team's Most Valuable Player and Forward of the Year.
Martin led the Mavericks in scoring with a career-high 35 points and tied for the team lead with 24 points. He was selected as the captain in a vote of his teammates before the start of the season. The native of Thorold, Ontario had not served as captain or alternate captain before this season.
Martin and fellow senior Matt Ambroz shared the team's Plus-Minus Award. Both players led the team with a +19 rating.
Senior Eric Olimb was named the team's Defenseman of the Year, leading all of UNO's blueliners with a career-best 27 points. Olimb tied with Martin for the team lead with 24 assists. The native of Warroad, Minn. finished second among defensemen in scoring in WCHA games with 24 points.
Sophomore John Faulkner earned the Mavericks' Goaltender of the Year award. Faulkner started all 39 games this season, becoming the first goalie in UNO history to do so. He posted a career-high 20 wins and a 2.56 goals-against average. The native of Sarnia, Ontario tied for the NCAA lead with six shutouts this season, also a school record for shutouts in a campaign. He was named the WCHA's Defensive Player of the Week four times this season.
Matt White and Brock Montpetit were chosen Co-Rookies of the Year. White led all Maverick freshmen in scoring with 14 goals and 25 points. His goal total ranked second-best on the team. The native of Whittier, Calif. also earned a Co-Rookie of the Week honor from the WCHA. Montpetit was third in UNO rookie scoring with 11 goals and 21 points. The native of Somerset, Wis. Had two game-winning goals and finished with a +9 rating.
Sophomore Terry Broadhurst picked up the team's Seventh Man Award as the player who best exemplifies team spirit, dedication, work ethic, ability to overcome adversity and contribution throughout the season. In spite of only playing in 30 games because of injury, the native of Orland Park, Ill. finished fifth in team scoring with 30 points including 11 goals and 19 assists. He was one of five Mavericks to earn 30 points this season.
Freshman defenseman Michael Young received the Mavs' Most Improved Player award. Young finished third in defenseman scoring during his first season, totaling three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. The native of Calgary, Alberta tied with Rich Purslow for the team lead with two shorthanded goals and was named the WCHA's Rookie of the Week in January.
The team's Mike Rehmeier Biggest Heart Award was given to freshman Alex Simonson. It recognizes the player who displays the most dedication and determination throughout the season. Simonson sat out the first two months of the season while recovering from off-season surgery. The native of Grand Forks, N.D. appeared in 16 games during the season, bringing his hard-working and rugged style to the right wing.
Senior Nick Von Bokern was named the team's Student-Athlete award winner. Von Bokern was named a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, given to players who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. The native of Burnsville, Minn. has been named to the Dean's List at UNO six times and the Chancellor's List twice. This season, he played in 14 games for the Mavericks and had a +3 rating.
Season tickets for the Mavericks' 2011-12 season are on sale now at UNO's Sapp Fieldhouse box office and by phone at (402) 554-2001.
