COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The KJ Branding National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Players of the Week for the week of Nov. 4-10, 2024 all led their teams to a pair of wins over the weekend. Earning KJ Branding NCHC honors for Week 6 are:

• Forward – Sam Harris, Denver, So.
• Defenseman – Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, So.
• Goaltender – Matt Davis, Denver, Sr.
• Rookie – Austin Burnevik, St. Cloud State, forward

This is Harris’ first career NCHC Forward of the Week nod and second NCHC weekly honor after earning Rookie of the Week once last season. Livanavage snagged his third career Defenseman of the Week award and fourth NCHC weekly honor, but first this season. Davis gloved his third career NCHC Goalie of the Week award, but first this season, while Burnevik is now a two-time NCHC Rookie of the Week this year.
 
FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Sam Harris, Denver
Sophomore Forward
San Diego, Calif.
 
Harris powered Denver to a sweep of Lindenwood to keep the Pioneers undefeated on the year. He scored three goals in the series, including the game-winning goal both nights, and now leads the NCAA with nine goals this season. On Friday, the Montreal Canadiens draft pick scored the game’s second goal to put DU up 2-0 in an eventual 4-1 win. A night later, Harris struck twice in a six-minute span to break a 1-1 tie in the third period and make it a 3-1 contest with Denver again going on to win 4-1.
 
With goals in both games, Harris is now riding a career-long seven-game point streak. He scored his three goals on four shots on goal for a .750 shooting percentage and was +2 in the series. Along with his NCAA-best nine goals, Harris is tied for third on the team with 13 points, while his four game-winning goals this year tie for first nationally.
 
DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Jake Livanavage, North Dakota
Sophomore Defenseman
Phoenix, Ariz.
 
Livanavage led all NCHC players with five assists over the weekend, while helping North Dakota open conference play with a sweep at Minnesota Duluth. He dished out a career-high three assists in Friday’s 7-3 win before handing out two more in Saturday’s 4-1 victory. Livanavage assisted on UND’s first two goals Friday and had his shot deflected in for the Fighting Hawks’ fifth goal of the night. In the series finale on Saturday, both of his assists were primary, setting up UND’s first and third goals.
 
Along with his offense, Livanavage blocked three shots in the series and posted a +3 plus/minus. He also patrolled a power play that finished the weekend 3-for-7. With his five assists, he’s now tied for the team lead with seven helpers this season and is tied for second on the squad with eight points (1g/7a).
 
GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Matt Davis, Denver
Senior Goaltender
Calgary, Alberta
 
Davis backstopped the Pioneers to a sweep of Lindenwood, allowing only one goal each night. On Friday, he stopped 23 of 24 shots in a 4-1 victory, including eight saves in each of the final two periods. A night later, he made 18 saves in another 4-1 win, including six saves while DU was short-handed to kill all three Lions power plays.
 
Davis finished the series with a 1.01 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage, both tops among NCHC netminders who played in two games on the weekend. He totaled 41 saves against Lindenwood on 43 shots faced. With the two wins, Davis has now won 18 straight starts in goal and improved to 9-0-0 on the season. He ranks second in the NCHC with both a .942 save percentage and a 1.34 GAA this season.
 
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Austin Burnevik, St. Cloud State
Freshman Forward
Blaine, Minn.
 
Burnevik continued his strong start to his freshman campaign, potting three goals to help St. Cloud State sweep Miami. In Friday’s conference opener, the Anaheim Ducks draft pick put SCSU up 2-0 in an eventual, 3-2 overtime win. The next night, Burnevik scored twice in a 3-1 win, notching the game’s first goal and SCSU’s final goal for his second career multi-goal game. Saturday also marked his third career multi-point game.
 
Burnevik scored his three goals on eight shots on goal and finished with a +3 plus/minus in the series. With his three points over the weekend, he now leads all NCHC freshmen with both six goals and 11 points in 11 games this season, both of which rank in the top three nationally among rookies.
 
OTHER NOMINEES:
 
Forward of the Week
Alex Bump, Western Michigan
Austin Burnevik, St. Cloud State
Ben Strinden, North Dakota
Klavs Veinbergs, Colorado College

Defenseman of the Week
Max Burkholder, Colorado College
Eric Pohlkamp, Denver
Sam Sjolund, Western Michigan
 
Goaltender of the Week
Simon Latkoczy, Omaha
Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College
Isak Posch, St. Cloud State
Cameron Rowe, Western Michigan
T.J. Semptimphelter, North Dakota
 
Rookie of the Week
Cade Littler, North Dakota, forward
James Reeder, Denver, forward
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, goaltender