UND forward Schmaltz named NCHC Rookie of the Month

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakotafreshman forward Nick Schmaltz has been named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Rookie of the Month after leading all NCHC freshmen in scoring in October.

Schmaltz, a native of Verona, Wis., picked up a goal and five assists in six October games, leading NCHC freshmen in points, points per game (1.00), assists, power-play points (4) and power-play assists (3). The 6-foot, 171-pound Schmaltz also led NCHC freshmen in faceoff percentage (61.9 percent) as UND posted a 4-1-1 record during the first month.

Schmaltz scored his first collegiate goal in UND’s season opener on Oct. 10 against Bemidji State. He added three assists the following weekend in a sweep at Colorado College (Oct. 17-18), then enjoyed his second straight 2-assist game in a 6-1 win over No. 5 Providence (Oct. 24).

In seven games this season, Schmaltz leads the NCHC rookie scoring race and is tied for second on UND in scoring with seven points, including a team-leading (tied) six assists.

A first-round draft pick (20^th overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks last June, Schmaltz is now a candidate for Hockey Commissioners’ Association (HCA) National Rookie of the Month for October, which will be announced on Wednesday.

Omaha senior goaltender Ryan Massa was named the NCHC Player of the Month for October.