Brand named NCAA Elite 90 Award winner
4/7/2021 2:39:00 PM | Men's Hockey
ST. CLOUD, MINN. - The St. Cloud State University men's hockey team hasn't played its game yet, but Chase Brand (Nevis, Minn. / Madison) is already a winner in Pittsburgh. The sophomore forward was named the recipient of the NCAA Elite 90 award for the 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Championship, the organization announced after the team's practice on Wednesday.Â
Brand, a finance major, is the second Husky in program history to earn the prestigious honor at the NCAA Frozen Four, as Brooks Bertsch earned the honor back in 2012-13. The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.Â
In order to be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be either a sophomore, junior and senior who has participated in their sport for at least two seasons with the institution. As a sophomore, Brand has appeared in 24 games for St. Cloud State, tallying eight points with four goals and four assists. Additionally, Brand was named to the NCHC's All-Academic Team thanks to his 3.96 grade point average (GPA).
Brand and the rest of the Huskies will return to action on Thursday, April 8 as they take on No. 6 Minnesota State in the NCAA Frozen Four. The winner will advance to Saturday's championship game where they will face either UMASS or Minnesota-Duluth. Puck drop for Thursday's semifinal is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET on ESPN2.Â
