UND's Simpson nabs second NCHC award of the season

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – For the second time this season, University of North Dakota junior captain Dillon Simpson has been named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenseman of the Week.

Simpson was recognized today after his 3-point weekend helped North Dakota to a conference sweep of visiting Colorado College last weekend at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound Simpson scored the game-winning goal and had an assist in Friday’s 5-3 victory, then added another assist in a 3-2 win in the series finale that pushed UND’s winning streak to a nation’s-best seven games.

Simpson leads all NCHC defensemen in scoring during league play with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in 12 NCHC games, tying him for third in the league’s scoring race. He also leads all NCHC skaters in assists (8) and power-play points (6). The Edmonton, Alberta, product has 13 points (4G, 9A) in 20 games overall, tied for fourth-best among NCHC defensemen, and leads the conference with 49 blocked shots.

Simpson has reached the scoresheet in six of the seven games during UND’s winning streak, with three goals and four assists during that stretch.

Western Michigan senior forward Chase Balisy was named NCHC Offensive Player of the Week, CC defenseman Jacob Slavin was the NCHC Rookie of the Week, and Minnesota Duluth senior Aaron Crandall was the NCHC Goaltender of the Week.

Simpson and UND face Bemidji State in a non-conference home-and-home series on Friday (in Bemidji) and Saturday (Grand Forks).