COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the first time since Week 10 and only the fourth time this season, four different teams are represented among the KJ Branding National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Players of the Week, as the honorees for Jan. 20-26, 2025 were announced Monday. All four KJ Branding NCHC Week 15 honorees are repeat winners from earlier this month:

• Forward – Ryan Kirwan, Arizona State, Sr.
• Defenseman – Samuel Sjolund, Western Michigan, Jr.
• Goaltender – Simon Latkoczy, Omaha, Jr.
• Rookie – Klayton Knapp, Minnesota Duluth, goaltender

Kirwan garnered his second Forward of the Week nod this season, while Sjolund snagged his second Defenseman of the Week award this season and the third of his career. Latkoczy gloved his third NCHC Goalie of the Week honor in 2024-25 and the sixth of his career, while Knapp took home his second Rookie of the Week nod this year.
 
FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Ryan Kirwan, Arizona State
Senior Forward
DeWitt, N.Y.
 
Kirwan had a killer series against then-No. 19 Colorado College, racking up five points in a split while tying for the NCHC lead in both points and goals on the weekend. The Penn State transfer tallied a season-high and career-high-tying four points in Saturday’s game, as he had a hand in all four ASU goals in a 5-4 loss. Kirwan scored the game’s first two goals Saturday, then assisted on a pair of ASU goals in the third period to help put the Sun Devils ahead 4-1. He was tabbed Third Star of the Game on Saturday. In Friday’s 4-1 win, Kirwan dished out an assist on ASU’s final goal, which came on the power play.
 
Kirwan finished the weekend with two goals and three assists, while ranking second in the NCHC with 10 shots on goal. Two of his points came on the power play, while he posted a +2 plus/minus. Kirwan stretched his point streak to four games with nine points (5g/4a) in that span. He now leads the NCHC with 16 goals this season, which ties for fifth nationally, while his 26 points lead ASU and rank third in the NCHC.
 
DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Samuel Sjolund, Western Michigan
Junior Defenseman
Stockholm, Sweden
 
Sjolund played a key role in Western Michigan’s sweep of rival Miami, leading all NCHC defensemen with four points from the blue line, while helping limit the RedHawks to three goals all weekend. On Friday, the Swede tied a season and career high with three points in an 8-3 rout. Sjolund set up WMU’s third and fifth goals on the power play, before scoring his first goal of the season in the third period. He was named Third Star of the Game on Friday. In Saturday’s 2-0 shutout, Sjolund dished out the primary assist on the game’s first goal, which was the game-winner, while helping keep the RedHawks off the scoreboard.
 
Sjolund completed the series with a goal and three assists, while logging a +3 plus/minus, including +2 on Friday. He also put seven shots on goal, with four on Saturday. Sjolund extended his point streak to six games and leads the Broncos with 16 assists on the year, which is fourth among NCHC blueliners.
 
GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Simon Latkoczy, Omaha
Junior Goaltender
Trencin, Slovakia
 
Latkoczy continued his run of good form, backstopping the Mavericks to a sweep of then-No. 17 St. Cloud State and stretching Omaha’s win streak to six games. He allowed only four goals on the weekend, while averaging 34.5 saves per game. In Friday’s 6-3 win, Latkoczy made 31 saves, including 15 in the decisive third period to pick up his 40th career win. The following night, the Slovak compiled 38 saves in a 3-1 victory, with 17 stops in the second stanza and 15 again in the final frame. He was named Third Star of the Game on Saturday.
 
Latkoczy totaled 69 saves in the series, with his .945 save percentage tops among NCHC goalies who played two games on the weekend. He also logged a 2.00 goals-against average against the Huskies. On the season, Latkoczy improved to 11-9-0 in 20 starts, with his .935 save percentage ranking third in the NCHC. He also lowered his season GAA to 2.22, which sits fifth in the conference.
 
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Klayton Knapp, Minnesota Duluth
Freshman Goaltender
Waterville, Ohio
 
Knapp stacked up the stops over the weekend, backstopping the Bulldogs to a split with No. 5 Denver. The freshman led the NCHC with 70 saves on the weekend, including a career-high 42 stops in Friday’s 4-3 victory over the Pioneers. Knapp made 16 saves in the first period, then 13 in each of the final two frames of the series opener to earn the win. He was tabbed Third Star of the Game on Friday. The next night, Knapp turned aside 28 shots in a 2-1 defeat, making 11 saves in the third period.
 
Knapp finished the series with a .933 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average, while averaging 35 saves per game against DU. He also helped UMD’s penalty kill go 4-for-5 against the Pioneers, while making seven short-handed saves. Knapp improved to 5-4-1 on the season, while he upped his season save percentage to .915. He also carries a 2.36 GAA in 12 games this year.
 
OTHER NOMINEES:
 
Forward of the Week
Alex Bump, Western Michigan
Noah Laba, Colorado College
Sam Stange, Omaha
Ryan Sullivan, Miami

Defenseman of the Week
Max Burkholder, Colorado College
Eric Pohlkamp, Denver

Goaltender of the Week
Klayton Knapp, Minnesota Duluth
Carsen Musser, Colorado College
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan
 
Rookie of the Week
Owen Beckner, Colorado College
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan