GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senior center Corban Knight has been named the recipient of the Jeff Anderson Scholarship Award as the University of North Dakota’s most valuable player, highlighting the 2012-13 team awards that were announced last night.
Knight was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist and a second-team All-American after registering career-highs in points (49), assists (33) and goals (16). His 33 assists, which tied for third nationally, made him UND’s first player to put together back-to-back 30-assist seasons since current Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise (2002-04).
Knight also earned All-WCHA Second Team honors and was named to the NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team. He led the nation with a career-high 623 faceoff wins, 120 more than any other player and second-most in UND single-season history. A two-time WCHA Offensive Player of the Week and the national player of the month in December, Knight put together a 19-game point streak that was UND’s longest in 25 years.
UND’s other team award recipients included:
Cliff "Fido" Purpur Award: Danny Kristo (Sr. || Forward || Eden Prairie, Minn.)
- Award is given to the player who exemplifies hard work, determination and being a creator of excitement on the ice
- Was a Hobey Baker Award finalist, first-team All-American and the College Hockey News Player of the Year
- Tied for second nationally with career-high 52 points and led WCHA with career-high 26 goals
Archie Krum Memorial Athletic Scholarship: Andrew MacWilliam (Sr. || Defense || Calgary, Alberta)
- Award is given to the player who demonstrates leadership qualities, high academic standards, athletic excellence
- Team captain was named to third straight Academic All-WCHA Team and was NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team selection
- Appeared in all 42 games and set career highs for points (13) and assists (11)
Tom Hoghaug Memorial Scholarship: Colten St. Clair (Fr. || Forward || Gilbert, Ariz.)
- Award is given to the freshman who demonstrates initiative, character and a sense of responsibility
- Appeared in 40 games and collected three goals and seven assists
Rookie of the Year: Rocco Grimaldi (Fr. || Forward || Rossmoor, Calif.)
- Led all WCHA rookies and ranked third nationally with 36 points in 40 games
- Led the nation’s freshmen with 147 shots on goal
Most Improved Player: Dillon Simpson (Jr. || Defense || Edmonton, Alberta)
- Appeared in all 42 games and led UND defensemen with career-high 24 points
- Also had career highs in goals (5) and assists (19)
Coaches' Unsung Hero Award: Joe Gleason (Sr. || Defense || Edina, Minn.)
- Played in 41 games and set career highs in points (18), goals (5) and assists (13)
- WCHA nominee for Derek Hines National Unsung Hero Award
Virg Foss 3-Star Award: Danny Kristo (Sr. || Forward || Eden Prairie, Minn.)
- Award is given to the player who receives the most 3-star voting points from the print media following home games
- Won award for second consecutive season
- Was a Hobey Baker Award finalist, first-team All-American and the College Hockey News Player of the Year
- Tied for second nationally with career-high 52 points and led WCHA with career-high 26 goals
North Dakota (22-13-7, 14-7-7 WCHA) qualified for the NCAA postseason tournament for the 11th consecutive season, the longest active streak in Division I men’s hockey. UND advanced to the NCAA West Region final, where it was defeated by eventual-NCAA champion Yale
