DENVER – After leading all NCAA defensemen in goals last month, University of Denver junior
Eric Pohlkamp was selected one of three HCA Men’s National Defenseman of the Month for November, as the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA)
revealed national November honorees on Thursday. Pohlkamp was tabbed National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC)
Defenseman of the Month on Wednesday.
Pohlkamp was dominant at both ends of the ice throughout November, helping the Pioneers to a 6-2-0 record last month. The San Jose Sharks draft pick scored seven goals in November, which was first nationally among defensemen (two more than any other blueliner) and tied for the NCHC lead among all skaters. Only two of his seven goals came on the power play. Pohlkamp also chipped in three assists, with his 10 points tied for first among NCHC blueliners last month (with teammate Boston Buckberger) and tied for third nationally. His 1.25 points-per-game tied with Buckberger for first among NCAA rearguards with at least six games last month.
Pohlkamp averaged 24:24 time on ice per game in eight November games, while firing 48 shots on goal, which led all NCAA skaters last month. He blocked 11 shots, while posting a +10 plus/minus in November, which tied with Buckberger for second nationally among defensemen. Pohlkamp recorded a goal and point in six of the eight games, with a trio of multi-point outings. The Baxter, Minn. native was also twice named NCHC Defenseman of the Week in November.
Pohlkamp opened November with a goal and an assist in a shutout of Alaska Anchorage. He then scored a goal both nights in a sweep at then-No. 4 Western Michigan, finishing with three points on the weekend, including the game-winning goal in the series finale. Pohlkamp potted the game-tying goal in a 2-1 overtime win over Colorado College on Nov. 14 and added a two-goal, three-point night in a 7-1 win at Arizona State on Nov. 21. He closed November with a goal in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game against Minnesota.
On the season, Pohlkamp leads all NCAA defensemen with 11 goals. His 17 points are tied for first among NCHC blueliners and tied for second nationally among rearguards.
In October, Pohlkamp was
selected to the U.S. Collegiate Selects team that will compete in the Spengler Cup from Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.
Pohlkamp shared his
HCA November National Defenseman of the Month honor with Air Force senior Chris Hedden and Minnesota State junior Evan Murr, each of whom totaled 11 points in nine November games. In addition, Michigan sophomore Will Horcoff was named National Forward of the Month, Dartmouth junior Emmett Croteau gloved Goaltender of the Month, and Quinnipiac forward Ethan Wyttenbach claimed National Rookie of the Month on the men’s side.
This marks the second HCA national monthly honor won by an NCHC player this season. Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Max Plante garnered
HCA National Co-Forward of the Month for October.
Pohlkamp and the No. 5/6 Pioneers host No. 19 Miami for a two-game NCHC series this weekend at Magness Arena. Both games can be seen on NCHC.tv.
2025-26 HCA National Monthly Award Winners from the NCHC
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