Five finalists named for 2017 Mike Richter Award as top goalie in Division I

28 Jan 17: Hunter Miska (Minnesota Duluth - 35). The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the St. Cloud State University Huskies in the Championship game of the North Star College Cup at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN.).  The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the St. Cloud State University Huskies in the Championship game of the North Star College Cup at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. (Jim Rosvold)
Minnesota Duluth’s Hunter Miska is the lone freshman among the five finalists for the Mike Richter Award (photo: Jim Rosvold).

The five finalists for the 2017 Mike Richter Award, which honors the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men’s Division I hockey, were announced Thursday.

The fourth annual award will be presented at the Frozen Four in two weeks in Chicago.

Player's NameClassSchoolStats
Michael BitzerJr.Bemidji State22-14-3, 1.71, .932
Tanner JailletJr.Denver24-5-4, 1.82, .930
Hunter MiskaFr.Minnesota Duluth24-4-5, 2.23, .917
Cal PetersenJr.Notre Dame21-11-5, 2.14, .928
Charles WilliamsSr.Canisius21-7-5, 1.82, .943

Past winners of the award include Thatcher Demko (Boston College, 2016), Zane McIntyre (North Dakota, 2015) and Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell, 2014).

Candidates for the award were determined by nominations from all 60 NCAA Division I men’s hockey head coaches. The 10 semifinalists, five finalists and winner are selected by a committee of coaches, scouts and members of the media.