After a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the #NCHCFan of the Week contest, powered by SportsEngine, returns to recognize the most passionate and enthusiastic fans in not only the conference, but the country, during the 2021-22 season.
SportsEngine is the official sponsor of the NCHC Fan of the Week contest.
In addition to recognizing the players on a weekly basis, the dedicated NCHC fans that make the gameday atmospheres in each of the conference’s eight arenas so great will also be honored. To enter the contest, the NCHC is asking fans to post pictures or video showing their best pride and school spirit at games or on gameday to the NCHC Facebook page, the NCHC Instagram account or tweet them to @TheNCHC and use the hashtag #NCHCFan, as well as tag @SportsEngine.
Throughout each weekend, the NCHC will share some of the best pictures/video on social media. Each Monday, the conference will then choose the fan that submitted the most spirited photo or video (creativity counts!) and they will be recognized on social media as the SportsEngine NCHC Fan of the Week.
Each Fan of the Week winner will receive an NCHC t-shirt, hat or NCHC gear of their choice.
2021-22 SPORTSENGINE NCHC FAN OF THE WEEK WINNERS
Week 1 - Oct. 4, 2021:
Bernie Lambrecht, Omaha
Bernie and his son, Brandon, took in Omaha's season opener against Lake Superior State at Baxter Arena on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Week 2 - Oct. 11, 2021:
Mike Ozga, Western Michigan
He and the fans are baaaaack! Mike showed up to WMU's regular-season opener on Friday, Oct. 8 in Kalamazoo against Ferris State prepared and in style with the Lawson Lunatics.
Week 3 - Oct. 18, 2021:
Jared Running, Minnesota Duluth
Jared was decked out in Bulldogs gear to cheer on Minnesota Duluth as they hosted the Ice Breaker Tournament at AMSOIL Arena on Oct. 15-16, including facing Providence on day two (as pictured).
Week 4 - Oct. 25, 2021:
Jennifer Champagne, North Dakota
Jennifer and her husband, Donny, traveled from New York to Hamden, Connecticut to cheer on North Dakota against Quinnipiac at the People's United Center on Oct. 22-23.
Week 5 - Nov. 1, 2021:
Alex Berger, North Dakota
Alex drove 15 hours to Nashville, Tenn. with his girlfriend to cheer on North Dakota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, Oct. 30 and left with a fiancé after proposing.
Week 6 - Nov. 8, 2021:
John McMahon, St. Cloud State
John drove 15 hours for an NCHC double dip in two different arenas and time zones, first taking in Miami at Omaha on Friday, Nov. 5 at Baxter Arena, before moving on to Colorado Springs to cheer on St. Cloud State against Colorado College at Ed Robson Arena on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Week 7 - Nov. 15, 2021:
Steve Yagla, North Dakota
Steve and his wife traveled from Utah to Oxford, Ohio to cheer on North Dakota against Miami in the battle of the Hawks at Steve Cady Arena on Nov. 12-13.
Week 8 - Nov. 22, 2021:
Jennifer Coles, Minnesota Duluth
Jennifer and her family took in Minnesota Duluth's game at North Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 20, cheering on the Bulldogs in enemy territory at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.
Week 9 - Nov. 29, 2021:
Baylee Bjorge, North Dakota
Baylee was decked out in her North Dakota sweater to watch and cheer on her beloved Fighting Hawks against rival Minnesota from the comfort of home on Nov. 26-27.
Week 10 - Dec. 6, 2021:
Erik Chester, St. Cloud State
Erik enjoyed some father-son bonding time on Friday, Dec. 3, as he took his dad to the St. Cloud State vs. North Dakota game at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, cheering on the Huskies to victory.
Week 11 - Dec. 13, 2021:
Robbie George, Colorado College
Robbie (middle) made the trek from Des Moines, Iowa to Colorado Springs to cheer on Colorado College against North Dakota and see the new Ed Robson Arena on Dec. 10-11, while meeting up with his buddies and NCHC 'frienemies.'
Week 12 - Jan. 3, 2022:
Keith Frantesl, St. Cloud State
Keith took in St. Cloud State's win over Bemidji State on New Year's Day with his family at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud after getting tickets as a Christmas present.
Week 13 - Jan. 10, 2022:
Sean Walmsley, North Dakota
Sean (left) made the trek across the international border from Victoria, B.C. to Grand Forks to enjoy his first ever game at Ralph Engelstad Arena, watching North Dakota play in person for the first time as UND battled Cornell on Saturday, Jan. 8.
Week 14 - Jan. 17, 2022:
Charlie Gonzalez, Denver
Charlie (middle right) and his Jr. Pioneers teammates took in the Denver Pioneers game against Omaha on Sunday, Jan. 16 at Magness Arena, cheering DU to a win.
Week 15 - Jan. 24, 2022:
Michael Sharp, Omaha
Michael was decked out in his Omaha gear on Saturday, Jan. 22 to cheer on the Mavericks against Minnesota Duluth from the student section at Baxter Arena.
Week 16 - Jan. 31, 2022:
Julianna Tengler, Miami
Julianna took in Miami's game against Denver on Saturday, Jan. 29 with her dad, cheering on the RedHawks at Steve Cady Arena while rocking her RedHawks gear.
Week 17 - Feb. 7, 2022:
Chris Hatfield, Denver
Chris had great seats to watch Denver's series with St. Cloud State on Feb. 4-5 at Magness Arena, cheering on the Pioneers to a sweep at home.
Week 18 - Feb. 14, 2022:
Josh Cieluch, Minnesota Duluth
Josh and his wife, Kristin, drove seven hours through snow from Kansas to Denver to cheer on Minnesota Duluth against the Pioneers at Magness Arena on Feb. 11-12.
Week 19 - Feb. 21, 2022:
Justin Baker, Western Michigan
Justin, a.k.a. Brigadier Bronco, came all decked out in his WMU gear and helmet to cheer the Broncos to a win against Denver on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo.
Week 20 - Feb. 28, 2022:
Amanda Hamann, St. Cloud State
Amanda flew with her husband and son, Easton, over 1400 miles from North Carolina to cheer on the Huskies to a sweep of Colorado College on Feb. 25-26 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, while also taking in the final games of long-time SCSU PA announcer Chuck Clausen.
Week 21 - March 7, 2022:
Brad Collett, Omaha
Brad took in Omaha's final home game of the season and the regular-season finale at Baxter Arena on Saturday, March 5, cheering on the Mavericks to a win over North Dakota with his friend, Lexie.