COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Four different teams are represented among the KJ Branding NCHC Players of the Week for the week of October 9-15, 2023, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) announced Monday. Earning KJ Branding NCHC Week 2 honors are:

• Forward – Ben Steeves, Minnesota Duluth, So.
• Defenseman – Joaquim Lemay, Omaha, So.
• Goaltender – Ludvig Persson, North Dakota, Sr.
• Rookie – Drew Montgomery, Colorado College, Forward

This is Steeves’ first career NCHC Forward of the Week honor after earning conference Rookie of the Week four times last season. Persson gloved his eighth career NCHC Goaltender of the Week nod after winning it three times last year and seven times previously while at Miami. These are the first career NCHC weekly awards for both Lemay and Montgomery.
 
FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Ben Steeves, Minnesota Duluth
Sophomore Forward
Bedford, N.H.
 
Steeves had a massive, six-point weekend to power Minnesota Duluth to a tie and win against Northern Michigan. He tallied two goals both nights against the Wildcats and dished out two assists in Saturday’s 8-5 victory, as well. The 2022-23 NCHC All-Rookie Team member totaled a career-high four points (2g/2a) in Saturday’s win, as he had a hand in half of UMD’s goals, including scoring the game-winner. Steeves scored three of his four goals on the power play, including both tallies in Friday’s 5-5 tie, and recorded the Bulldogs’ first goal both nights. He was named the game’s Second Star on Friday and First Star on Saturday.
 
Steeves led all NCHC players with 15 shots on goal during the weekend. These were the first goals and points for Steeves this season, as his four goals tie for the NCHC lead while he has six points in three games this year.
 
DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Joaquim Lemay, Omaha
Sophomore Defenseman
Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, Quebec
 
Lemay was a factor at both ends of the ice to help the Mavericks to a season-opening sweep of Niagara. Offensively, he racked up three points from the blue line, scoring a goal each night. In Friday’s 8-1 victory, the Washington Capitals draft pick handed out a primary assist before scoring on the power play to earn Third Star of the Game. The next night, Lemay broke a 1-1 tie with the game-winning goal, again on the power play, midway through the third period. He was tabbed the game’s First Star in Saturday’s 2-1 win.
 
Defensively, Lemay finished the sweep with a +1 plus/minus, while anchoring a defense that allowed only one goal each night. The 2022-23 NCHC All-Rookie Team member also played on a penalty kill unit that was a perfect 6-for-6 in the wins over Niagara. His two goals last weekend matched his season total from last year.
 
GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Ludvig Persson, North Dakota
Senior Goaltender
Hindas, Sweden
 
Persson shined in his official North Dakota debut, backstopping the Fighting Hawks to the Ice Breaker Tournament title. He didn’t allow an even-strength goal all weekend and surrendered only two goals all tournament. In the season opener on Friday against Army, Persson made 11 saves, including three on breakaways, in a 7-2 victory, with his only goals allowed all weekend coming on the power play. In Saturday’s championship game versus Wisconsin, the Swede turned aside all 29 shots he faced for his first shutout in the green and white and sixth of his career after transferring from Miami. Persson earned First Star of the Game Saturday, making seven short-handed saves as UND went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
 
Persson finished the Ice Breaker Tournament with a .952 save percentage, totaling 40 saves on 42 shots faced. He also posted a 1.00 goals-against average on the weekend and is now 2-0-0 on the season.
 
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Drew Montgomery, Colorado College
Freshman Forward
Grand Forks, N.D.
 
Montgomery started his college career with a bang, totaling two goals and four points in a sweep of Union. In his first official collegiate game on Friday, he tallied three points, including two goals, in a 7-3 victory. After recording his first point on an assist, Mongomery scored his first career goal 17 seconds later to make it 4-1 in the second period with a highlight-reel, sharp-angle tally. That goal served as the game-winner, while he also sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. On Saturday, Montgomery dished out another assist in a 6-2 win.
 
Mongomery posted a +1 plus/minus in the sweep and fired three shots on goal. His four points lead the Tigers so far this season.
 
OTHER NOMINEES:
 
Forward of the Week
Ray Fust, Omaha, So.
Hunter Johannes, North Dakota, Gr.
Drew Montgomery, Colorado College, Fr.
Ethan Phillips, Western Michigan, Gr.
Raimonds Vitolins, Miami, Jr.

Defenseman of the Week
Spencer Cox, Miami, Jr.
Zak Galambos, Western Michigan, Gr.
Owen Gallatin, Minnesota Duluth, Jr.
Jacob Guevin, Omaha, So.
Jack Millar, Colorado College, Sr.
Garrett Pyke, North Dakota, 5th

Goaltender of the Week
Logan Neaton, Miami, Gr.
 
Rookie of the Week
Alex Bump, Western Michigan, Forward
Barrett Hall, St. Cloud State, Forward
Tanner Ludtke, Omaha, Forward
Jayden Perron, North Dakota, Forward
Aaron Pionk, Minnesota Duluth, Defenseman