Michigan’s Brindley named Big Ten player of year, Wisconsin’s McClellan top goalie, Michigan State’s Levshunov best freshman, Spartans’ Nightingale coach of year

Wisconsin goalie Kyle McClellan tracks the puck during a Dec. 2023 series with Ohio State (photo: Taylor Wolfram).

The Big Ten Conference and the Big Ten Network announced Big Ten Hockey postseason awards on Tuesday.

This year’s honors included individual awards, all-Big Ten teams and Sportsmanship awards. Voting was conducted by conference coaches and a media panel.

Michigan’s Gavin Brindley was named Big Ten player of the year and won the Big Ten scoring title with 29 points in 23 conference games.

Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov was named Big Ten defensive player of the year and freshman of the year.

Kyle McClellan of Wisconsin earned the goaltender of the year award.

Adam Nightingale of Michigan State was selected Big Ten coach of the year after leading the Spartans to the first regular-season title in program history.

The Big Ten also recognized seven Sportsmanship Award honorees. The students chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.

ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
Gavin Brindley, Michigan, So., Forward
Rutger McGroarty, Michigan, So., Forward
Jimmy Snuggerud, Minnesota, So., Forward
Seamus Casey, Michigan, So., Defenseman
Artyom Levshunov, Michigan State, Fr., Defenseman
Kyle McClellan, Wisconsin, Sr., Goaltender

ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM *
Dylan Duke, Michigan, Jr., Forward
Rhett Pitlick, Minnesota, Jr., Forward
Landon Slaggert, Notre Dame, Sr., Forward
Ryan Chesley, Minnesota, So., Defenseman
Sam Rinzel, Minnesota, Fr., Defenseman
Scooter Brickey, Ohio State, 5th, Defenseman
Trey Augustine, Michigan State, Fr., Goaltender

ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION
T.J. Hughes, Michigan, So., Forward
Frank Nazar III, Michigan, So., Forward
Karsen Dorwart, Michigan State, So., Forward
Isaac Howard, Michigan State, So., Forward
Joey Larson, Michigan State, So., Forward
Bryce Brodzinski, Minnesota, Gr., Forward
Jaxon Nelson, Minnesota, Gr., Forward
Stephen Halliday, Ohio State, So., Forward
Aiden Fink, Penn State, Fr., Forward
Cruz Lucius, Wisconsin, So., Forward
David Silye, Wisconsin, Sr., Forward
Luke Mittelstadt, Minnesota, So., Defenseman
Ryan Siedem, Notre Dame, Gr., Defenseman
Ben Dexheimer, Wisconsin, So., Defenseman
Justen Close, Minnesota, Gr., Goaltender
Ryan Bischel, Notre Dame, Gr., Goaltender

BIG TEN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Garrett Schifsky, Michigan, Forward
Oliver Moore, Minnesota, Forward
Aiden Fink, Penn State, Forward +
Artyom Levushnov, Michigan State, Defenseman
Sam Rinzel, Minnesota, Defenseman
Trey Augustine, Michigan State, Goaltender +

BIG TEN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS
Jacob Truscott, Michigan, Sr., Defenseman
Nicolas Müller, Michigan State, 5th, Forward
Carl Fish, Minnesota, Sr., Defenseman
Hunter Strand, Notre Dame, Jr., Forward
Damien Carfagna, Ohio State, So., Defenseman
Simon Mack, Penn State, Jr., Defenseman
Owen Lindmark, Wisconsin, Gr., Forward

* Team includes a seventh player due to a tie in voting
+ Unanimous selections