Six University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey players were bestowed 2023-24 team awards last week at the Bulldogs annual team banquet, including Ben Steeves, Aiden Dubinsky, Luke Loheit, Aaron Pionk, Matthew Thiessen and Darian Gotz.

Keith Christiansen Award

Sophomore forward Ben Steeves was named the Keith Christiansen Award winner as UMD's most valuable player during the 2023-24 campaign. The Bedford, NH native led the team in scoring with 34 total points for the season, including 24 goals and was the first player since Justin Fontaine in 2009-10 and 2010-11 to post back-to-back 20+ goal seasons. An All-NCHC Second Team selection, Steeves tied for second in the nation for power play goals (13), fifth in the nation for game-winning goals (6), and fifth in the nation for goals per game (0.65). Steeves also ranked second in the NCHC for goals, first in goals per game and just last month signed with the Florida Panthers organization after two seasons at UMD.

Pat Francisco Award

For their efforts away from the rink, Darian Gotz and Matthew Thiessen earned the Pat Francisco Award for their contributions in the local community. Gotz, a Hermantown, Minn. product – named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference 2023-24 Sportsmanship Award winner just over a month ago – has been a volunteer coach for the Duluth Wild Special Hockey program and gave his time Sundays to the organization. The senior defenseman was also highly active in the Courage Center Shoot for Fun, and was instrumental in supporting Sophie's Squad. Gotz served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee during his UMD career, and helped lead the Green Bandana Project within the department. Gotz is a two-time selection for the honor after earning it in 2022-23. 

Thiessen, a native of Steinbach, Manitoba also helped with the Duluth Wild Special Hockey program for adults and kids who are developing delayed to allow them to participate in the sport of hockey, as well as the Little Wild learn to play programs. The fifth-year goaltender participated in reading to different local schools, as well as serving as a goaltender coach and mentored young adults.

Goldie Wolfe Award

Team Captain Luke Loheit was named the Goldie Wolfe Award honoree as UMD's most inspirational player for the 2023-24 season. The graduate student was impressive both on the ice and in the classroom, and had the second most goals for the Bulldogs this season with 10. With 20 points overall, the Minnetonka, Minn. native and two-year captain earned multiple academic awards over his tenure, including CSC Academic All-District Team honors last season. A tour-time NCHC Academic All-Conference honoree, Loheit was also a four-time NCHC Distinguished Scholar Athlete and just last season earned UMD's Mike Sertich Most Improved Player award.

Jerry Chumola Award

After a strong first season from the blueline, freshman Aaron Pionk was honored with the Jerry Chumola Award as UMD's Rookie of the Year. A product of Hermantown, Minn., Pionk was the Bulldogs second leading scorer from the backline, compiling three goals and 17 assists for 20 points in his debut season and was the first rookie UMD defenseman to score 20 or more points since both Scott Pernunovich (36 points) and Mikey Anderson (23 points) did it during the 2017-18 season. Pionk was also named the NCHC's Defenseman of the Week on March 11 after his four-point series against St. Cloud State University at home.

Mike Sertich Award

After skating in every one of UMD's games this season and tripling his offensive input, sophomore defenseman Aiden Dubinsky received the Mike Sertich Award as the Bulldogs Most Improved Player. A native of Highland Park, Ill., Dubinsky recorded 15 points – including the first three goals of his college career – this season, far surpassing his freshman total of five points on five assists. Dubinsky also added the game-winning, power play goal against then No. 16/17 SCSU at AMSOIL Arena on March 9.