UND Athletics
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND Athletics)– Freshman goaltender Jan Špunar is one of 10 goaltenders named as a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top goaltender in NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey since 2014.
The 10 goaltenders were chosen by a panel of 25 voters across the hockey community. The group includes coaches from each conference, and independent school coaches, as well as members of the national media, professional scouts and representatives of USA Hockey.
Špunar is the only NCHC representative and one of only three freshmen among the semifinalists, while also becoming the first UND goaltender since Adam Scheel in 2020-21 to be named as a semifinalist for the award.
The freshman has been one of the nation’s top netminders throughout the entire season, as he currently sits fourth in the nation and tops in the NCHC with a 1.76 goals against average. His .924 save percentage also ranks 13th nationally and first in the NCHC while his trio of shutouts are fourth in the NCAA and tied for the league lead.
Špunar has won 14 of his 17 starts this season while dropping only one contest in regulation. He became the first goaltender in UND history to win his first 10 starts with the program – passing Jordan Parise (2003-04) and Ed Belfour (1986-87).
Finalists will be announced in early March and the winner of this year’s Mike Richter Award will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four in Las Vegas. Špunar is looking to join Zane McIntyre (2014-15) as the only winners from UND.
For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.
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