COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – With the first month of the 2022-23 season complete, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) announced its Players of the Month for October on Tuesday. Denver sophomore forward Carter Mazur earned NCHC Player of the Month, while St. Cloud State junior Dominic Basse garnered Goaltender of the Month and Western Michigan forward Ryan McAllister captured Rookie of the Month.
 
This is Mazur’s first NCHC Player of the Month honor, but fourth career NCHC monthly award after being a three-time Rookie of the Month last year. These are the first career NCHC monthly awards for both Basse and McAllister.

All three NCHC honorees – Mazur, Basse and McAllister – are now eligible for Hockey Commissioners’ Association (HCA) National Player, Goaltender and Rookie of the Month, respectively. HCA national monthly honors are expected to be announced Wednesday.
 
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Carter Mazur, Denver
Sophomore Forward
Jackson, Mich.
 
Mazur picked up where he left off last season, starting the 2022-23 season strong with 10 goals and 12 points in eight games in October. The reigning NCHC Rookie of the Year is tied for the NCAA lead with his 10 goals, while his four game-winning goals lead the nation by himself after the first month of play. Mazur recorded multiple points in half of his games and tallied at least one goal in six of eight outings, including potting a goal against three nationally ranked opponents.
 
Mazur opened the season with a bang, racking up four points, including both game-winning goals, at the Ice Breaker Tournament to earn Tournament MVP honors. After scoring the game-winner in the opener against then-No. 11 Notre Dame on Oct. 7, the Detroit Red Wings draft pick chipped in a season-high-tying three points, including two goals, a night later against Maine to lead DU to the title. Mazur added two points in a win over then-No. 11 Providence on Oct. 22. He then erupted to open conference play, scoring five goals in a sweep at Miami on Oct. 28-29 to earn NCHC Forward of the Week. Mazur recorded his first collegiate hat trick in the series opener, doing so naturally with the game’s first three goals. A night later, he rallied DU to a win, scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals in the third period.
 
Mazur finished October averaging 1.50 points per game and 1.25 goals per game, with the latter ranking second nationally. Four of his 10 goals came on the power play. He posted a +4 plus/minus in the month and fired 32 shots on goal.  
 
GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
Dominic Basse, St. Cloud State
Junior Goaltender
Alexandria, Va.
 
After transferring from Colorado College this season, Basse has started his St. Cloud State career on a roll. He’s yet to drop a game in net, going 4-0-0 in his four October starts, while leading the NCHC in both save percentage and goals-against average. His 1.25 GAA ranks third nationally, while his .945 save percentage in October ties for fourth in the NCAA. The four-game winning streak to start the season is a career long for Basse, while he’s allowed a goal or less in three of his four starts.
 
Basse opened his Huskies career with a shutout, stopping all 15 shots he faced against St. Thomas on Oct. 2 for his second collegiate whitewash. After earning a 19-save win at Wisconsin on Oct. 15, the Chicago Blackhawks draft pick made a season-high 34 saves in a 4-3 victory over then-No. 2 Minnesota State the following Saturday. Basse then capped his month with 18 saves in a 4-1 win over Bemidji State on Oct. 29, with the lone goal allowed coming on the power play.
 
ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Ryan McAllister, Western Michigan
Freshman Forward
London, Ont.
 
McAllister started his college career on fire, tallying at least a point in each of his first five games. He racked up a point or more in seven of nine games in October, including four multi-point outings. McAllister totaled 13 points in October, which ranks second nationally among freshmen, five more points than any other NCHC freshmen. His five goals also lead all NCHC rookies and tie for third among NCAA freshmen, while he’s dished out eight assists as well, tying for second among all rookies. McAllister’s 13 points in October also tied for second among all NCHC skaters, while averaging 1.44 points per game.
 
McAllister opened his Bronco career with an assist each night at Alaska Anchorage on Oct. 1-2. He then scored his first collegiate goal on Oct. 8 in a win at Ferris State. He stretched his goal-scoring streak to three games with goals both nights in a sweep of Bowling Green on Oct. 13-14, including a career-high three points in the finale. McAllister tallied five more points against then-No. 4 Michigan to close out the month. He dished out two assists on the road Oct. 28, then tied his career high with three points a night later in Kalamazoo, including recording his first career multi-goal game.
 
McAllister was twice named NCHC Rookie of the Week in October, first after his five-point weekend against Bowling Green and again this past week after his showing against Michigan. Two of McAllister’s five goals were scored on the power play, while he finished the month with a +1 plus/minus. The undrafted free agent put 36 shots on goal in October, as well.
 
OTHER NOMINEES:
 
Player of the Month
Ryan McAllister, Fr., F, Western Michigan
Matthew Barbolini, Jr., F, Miami
Grant Cruikshank, 5th, F, St. Cloud State
Dominic James, So., F, Minnesota Duluth
Chris Jandric, Gr., D, North Dakota
Hunter McKown, Jr., F, Colorado College
Jack Randl, Sr., F, Omaha
Massimo Rizzo, So., F, Denver
 
Goaltender of the Month
Magnus Chrona, Sr., Denver
Ludvig Persson, Jr., Miami
 
Rookie of the Month
Jackson Blake, F, North Dakota
Max Dukovac, F, Miami
Noah Laba, F, Colorado College
Ben Steeves, F, Minnesota Duluth