GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Freshman forward Jack Kernan was named NCHC Rookie of the Week for the first time on Tuesday morning, as announced by the league office. He becomes the third-different UND player to earn the league's weekly rookie award – joining Ollie Josephson and Jan Špunar.
 
Kernan is coming off his best weekend as a collegiate player in a sweep over Mercyhurst, as the rookie potted multiple points in both games to finish with three goals and an assist for four points.
 
The Maple Grove, Minn., native opened the series with his first multi-point game of his collegiate career, picking up a goal and an assist in the 2-0 victory on Friday night. He notched an assist on Ben Strinden's power play goal in the first period before extending the lead to 2-0 with a rebound goal late in the third period to secure the win.
 
In the series finale, Kernan struck for a pair of goals for the first time in a UND sweater to help the Fighting Hawks pull away for a 6-1 triumph. He potted the eventual game-winning tally on the power play in the second period before striking again on the man advantage late in the third on the contest's final goal.
 
Kernan was also dominant in the faceoff dot over the series, going 19-6 over the weekend for a 76.0 winning percentage. Since moving to center on Dec. 5, Kernan has five points (3G, 2A) and has won at least 50 percent of his draws.
 
On the season, Kernan has five goals and four assists for nine points in 17 games.
 
North Dakota will jump back into NCHC play with a trip to Colorado Springs to battle Colorado College beginning on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. (CT) on NCHC.tv and the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.
 
For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.