GRAND FORKS, N.D.-- University of North Dakota junior goaltender Adam Scheel was named to the Mike Richter Award finalists list released today. The award is given annually to the top goalie in men's NCAA Division I hockey since 2014.

The Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) pared the finalists down to nine from an original "Watch List" of 35 that were singled out by a panel of voters from across the hockey community.

Scheel has been spectacular in net this season, backstopping the Fighting Hawks to another NCHC Penrose Cup title with two weeks remaining in the regular season. The Lakewood, Ohio native leads the conference in wins (15), goals against average (1.78) and shutouts (4) this season. His win total is second-best in the NCAA while his GAA is 8th. Scheel has lowered his career GAA to 2.00, which would set a new school record.

He is the lone representative on this year's list, but aims to become the third NCHC goalie-- and second UND netminder-- to earn the award in its eight seasons. Zane McIntyre won it 2015 for North Dakota.

The winner of this year's Mike Richter Award will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four.

Past Richter Award Recipients:
2014 - Connor Hellebuyck, UMass Lowell
2015 - Zane McIntyre, North Dakota
2016 - Thatcher Demko, Boston College
2017 - Tanner Jaillet, Denver
2018 - Cale Morris, Notre Dame
2019 - Cayden Primeau, Northeastern
2020 - Jeremy Swayman, Maine

Finalists for the 2021 Mike Richter Award
Spencer Knight, Boston College (SO – Darien, CT)
Jack LaFontaine, Minnesota (SR – Mississauga, ONT)
Strauss Mann, Michigan (JR – Greenwich, CT)
Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (JR - Downers Grove, IL)
Mareks Mitens, Lake Superior (SR - Ventspils, Latvia)
Keith Petruzzelli, Quinnipiac (SR – Wilbraham, MA)
Blake Pietila, Michigan Tech (SO - Howell, MI)
Adam Scheel, North Dakota (JR – Lakewood, OH)
Jaxson Stauber, Providence (SO - Plymouth, MN)