A Pair From UND Have Been Named to The NCHC All-Rookie Team

     Two rookies from the University of North Dakota have been named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team, the league announced on Tuesday. Forward Matteo Costantini and goaltender Jakob Hellsten have earned the honors after helping the Fighting Hawks secure their third straight Penrose Cup.

     In conference play Costantini played in 22 games, finishing at third on the team with 16 points and led all freshmen. Costantini also earned NCHC Rookie of the Week honors twice. In a 7-1 thumping of St. Cloud State became the first freshman since Zach Parise on Nov. 1, 2002 to record at least four assists in a game.

     Hellsten was solid this season between the pipes, notching a 2-2-0 record over five starts with a 2.93 goals against average and an .884 save percentage earning him a unanimous selection. He was in net for three games before giving up an even-strength goal this season.

     He also became the fifth goaltender to earn an all-rookie team conference honor, joining Adam Scheel in 2018-19, Brad Eidsness in 2008-09, Karl Goehring in 1997-98, and Toby Kvalevog in 1993-94.

2021-22 NCHC All-Rookie Team (First team votes)

F: Carter Mazur, Denver – 42 (14)

F: Massimo Rizzo, Denver – 34 (10)

F: Matteo Costantini, North Dakota – 30 (8)

D: Sean Behrens, Denver – 39 (12)

D: Shai Buium, Denver – 29 (7)

G: Jakob Hellsten, North Dakota – 45 (15) – unanimous