8 NAHL Alumni Named to Mike Richter Award Watch List
The Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) released the “Watch List” of 29 NCAA Division I goaltenders who are in contention for the 2025 Mike Richter Award. The Mike Richter Award is presented annually to the top goaltender in NCAA Division I hockey and former NAHL goaltenders were named to the list.
The Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) released the “Watch List” of 29 NCAA Division I goaltenders who are in contention for the 2025 Mike Richter Award. The Mike Richter Award is presented annually to the top goaltender in NCAA Division I hockey, and former NAHL goaltenders have been named to the list.
This prestigious award has been announced annually since 2014, with former Odessa Jackalopes netminder Connor Hellebuyck receiving the inaugural award at UMass Lowell in the Hockey East Conference. This season marks the 13th year of the award, and the NAHL has had three former goaltenders take home the honor. Joining Hellebuyck, earning the award in 2021 was Jack LaFontaine, a former Janesville Jet. The most recent alumnus to take home the title was former Austin Bruins netminder Kyle McClellan in 2024.
NAHL Alumni on the 2026 Mike Richter Award “Watch List”
Atlantic Hockey America
Jakub Krbecek - RIT, So. (Philadelphia Rebels, 2022-24)
Lukas Swedin - Bentleyi, Fr. (Minot Minotauros, 2023-25)
CCHA
Owen Bartoszkiewicz - Michigan Tech, Jr. (Wichita Falls Warriors 2020-21, Oklahoma Warriors 2023-24)
Alex Tracy, Minnesota State, Sr. (Johnstown Tomahawks, 2019-20)
ECAC
Cameron Korpi - Union, So. (Bismarck Bobcats 2020-21, Oklahoma Warriors 2022-23)
Hockey East
Lawton Zacher - Northeastern, Jr. (Minot Minotauros, 2022-23)
NCHC
Adam Gajan - Minnesota Duluth, So, (Chippewa Steel, 2022-23)
Connor Hasley - Arizona State, Sr. (Odessa Jackalopes, 2020-21)
The HCA selection committee is made up of coaches, administrators, scouts, and media personnel. They will narrow down the list to approximately a dozen semifinalists within the next three weeks. The winner will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four.
