UND's Thompson nabs NCHC Defenseman of the Week accolades

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota sophomore Keaton Thompson has been named National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenseman of the Week for his role in UND’s conference sweep of Colorado College.

Thompson is the fifth different UND defenseman to win weekly conference honors this season. Paul LaDue (Oct. 20), Troy Stecher (Oct. 27) and Jordan Schmaltz (Dec. 8) were also named Defenseman of the Week while freshman Tucker Poolman was named NCHC Rookie of the Week on Dec. 8. It is the second career conference award for Thompson, who was named NCHC Rookie of the Week on Dec. 2, 2013.

Thompson set up Bryn Chyzyk’s game-winning goal in the third period while matching his career-best with a plus-3 rating in UND’s 5-3 win over the Tigers. The Devils Lake, N.D., native, who was on the ice for three UND go-ahead goals, also chipped in with a pair of blocked shots as UND moved into sole possession of second place in the NCHC.

A third-round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2013, Thompson has six assists in 20 games this season and owns a plus-6 rating.

Miami senior forward Cody Murphy (Offensive), St. Cloud State sophomore goalie Charlie Lindgren (Goaltender) and SCSU freshman forward Patrick Russell (Rookie) were also recognized by the NCHC.

Top-ranked UND will travel to Omaha this week to face the fifth-ranked Mavericks, who hold a one-point edge on UND atop the NCHC standings.

UND’s NCHC Players of the Week
Oct. 20:     Mark MacMillan, Sr., D (Offensive)
                    Paul LaDue, So., D (Defenseman)
Oct. 27:     Troy Stecher, So., D (Defenseman)
Nov. 17:     Drake Caggiula, Jr., F (Offensive)

Dec. 1:       Zane McIntyre, Jr., G (Goaltender)

Dec. 8         Jordan Schmaltz, Jr., D (Defenseman)

                    Zane McIntyre, Jr., G (Goaltender)

                    Tucker Poolman, Fr., D (Rookie)

Jan. 12:     Zane McIntyre, Jr., G (Goaltender)

Jan. 26       Keaton Thompson, So., D (Defenseman)