The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association announced its end-of-season awards on Friday and Lake Forest College's Leo Podolsky was named NCHA Player of the Year. The All-NCHA Team also included the Foresters' Ben Certo.
Podolsky, a junior goaltender, finished the season 15-6-3 and his .940 save percentage ranks fourth in the nation while his 1.99 goals against average is currently 15th. His numbers were even more impressive in NCHA play, where he led the league with a dozen victories and a .942 save percentage. Podolsky stopped at least 90 percent of opponent shots on goal in 21 of 25 appearances and allowed more than three goals in a game just three times on the year. His victory total is the highest by an individual in recorded program history while his save percentage and goals against average each rank second in team annals.
Podolsky, who was also named All-NCHA last season, is the first player in program history to earn conference player of the year honors.
Certo, a senior defenseman, is also a two-time All-NCHA selection after his 2014-15 selection. He tied for second in the league among players at his position with 20 points and ranked 24th in the nation in points per game by a defenseman. Certo also tied for fourth in the conference with 13 power play points and sixth with five power play goals. He finished his three-year career with 49 points on 15 goals and 34 assists.
Podolsky and Certo helped lead Lake Forest to a 15-7-5 overall record and a 12-5-1 mark in NCHA play for the best conference record in team history.
