GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota freshman netminder Jan Špunar is one of 29 collegiate goaltenders named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List, given annually to the top goaltender in men's NCAA Division I hockey since 2014.
 
Špunar has been one of the top goaltenders on both the conference and national levels this season, as the rookie currently leads the NCAA and NCHC with a 1.67 goals against average and sits 10th nationally and first in the conference with a .929 save percentage.
 
The Olomouc, Czechia, native has 11 wins over his first 12 starts to sit tied for 10th in the NCAA in wins. He also became the first UND goaltender to win his first 10 starts and holds a plus-6.07 saves above expectation this season.
 
Špunar was recently named NCHC Rookie of the Month for December and is one of only three goaltenders in the nation to allow 20-or-fewer goals in over 10 appearances this season.

A committee of voters — made up of a cross section of coaches, administrators, scouts and media — will pare this list down to approximately a dozen semifinalists within the next three weeks and then ultimately choose a winner from three finalists who will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four. A similar award to recognize the top female goalie in the NCAA is also presented by the HCA.

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