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Molenaar Named 2024 Hockey Humanitarian Award Nominee
1/17/2024 3:18:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Husky Assistant Captain named nominee for award given to college hockey’s finest citizen
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – St. Cloud State Men's Hockey senior forward Joe Molenaar (Minnetonka, Minn.) has been named 2024 Hockey Humanitarian Award nominees, announced by the foundation on Wednesday. The Minnetonka native is a part of a 15-player class to be nominated for the prestigious award.
The Hockey Humanitarian Award, which is celebrating its 29th season, is presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen — a student-athlete who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism.
Molenaar, named an assistant captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, is having a career year in his fourth season with the Huskies. In his more-expanded offensive role, Molenaar has scored a career-best seven goals and 10 points in 20 games. He has produced a +11 mark in the ice and recorded his first career hat trick in a 6-0 win over Miami on Nov. 4, earning NCHC Forward of the Week honors following his performance. He also provided the game-winning goals in wins over Miami (Nov. 4) and Minnesota Duluth (Nov. 17).
Molenaar has been a vital member of the Huskies success over his four seasons, as he has helped lead the Huskies to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2021-23), an NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship in 2023 and an NCAA Frozen Four and National Championship game appearance in 2021.
Molenaar grew up in Minnetonka where he played three seasons of varsity hockey, scoring 46 goals and 29 assists for 75 points in 73 games from 2015-18. Molennar captained the Skippers in his senior season, leading the team to the 2018 MSHSL state championship while earning team MVP and All-Conference honors while playing for Sean Goldsworthy. For his performance in the state tournament, Molenaar received the Herb Brooks Award, annually given to the most qualified hockey player in the state tournament who strongly represents the values, characteristics and traits that defined Herb Brooks.
Following his prep career, Molenaar moved to junior hockey, first getting the opportunity to play for the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL for the 2017-18 season. Following his initial season in junior hockey, Molenaar moved up the ranks to the USHL, where he played for the Tri-City Storm (2018-19 and 2019-20 and the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (2019-20). In 78 games in the USHL, Molenaar scored 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points.
Molenaar's impact extends much farther than his play on the ice, as he an established figure in the St. Cloud and Twin Cities communities. He volunteers his time back with Special Olympics, Breath of Hope, the Miracle League and an adaptive golf league.
With the Special Olympics, Molenaar routinely plays floor hockey on Wednesdays and ice hockey on Sundays with the St. Cloud group throughout the season. With the Breath of Hope, Molenaar has attended events and raised money for 11 years to benefit the organization that raises awareness for cystic fibrosis. Molenaar has always been very active with the Miracle League, an adaptive baseball league in the Twin Cities, and an adaptive golf league at Braemar Golf Course in Edina.
In the classroom, Molenaar is a Biomedical Sciences major and expects to graduate in May 2024. He earned Academic All-NCHC honors for the 2022-23 season.
Information regarding single game and season tickets can be found at scsutickets.com. For all the latest on St. Cloud State Men's Hockey, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Hockey Humanitarian Award, which is celebrating its 29th season, is presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen — a student-athlete who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism.
Molenaar, named an assistant captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, is having a career year in his fourth season with the Huskies. In his more-expanded offensive role, Molenaar has scored a career-best seven goals and 10 points in 20 games. He has produced a +11 mark in the ice and recorded his first career hat trick in a 6-0 win over Miami on Nov. 4, earning NCHC Forward of the Week honors following his performance. He also provided the game-winning goals in wins over Miami (Nov. 4) and Minnesota Duluth (Nov. 17).
Molenaar has been a vital member of the Huskies success over his four seasons, as he has helped lead the Huskies to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2021-23), an NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship in 2023 and an NCAA Frozen Four and National Championship game appearance in 2021.
Molenaar grew up in Minnetonka where he played three seasons of varsity hockey, scoring 46 goals and 29 assists for 75 points in 73 games from 2015-18. Molennar captained the Skippers in his senior season, leading the team to the 2018 MSHSL state championship while earning team MVP and All-Conference honors while playing for Sean Goldsworthy. For his performance in the state tournament, Molenaar received the Herb Brooks Award, annually given to the most qualified hockey player in the state tournament who strongly represents the values, characteristics and traits that defined Herb Brooks.
Following his prep career, Molenaar moved to junior hockey, first getting the opportunity to play for the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL for the 2017-18 season. Following his initial season in junior hockey, Molenaar moved up the ranks to the USHL, where he played for the Tri-City Storm (2018-19 and 2019-20 and the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (2019-20). In 78 games in the USHL, Molenaar scored 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points.
Molenaar's impact extends much farther than his play on the ice, as he an established figure in the St. Cloud and Twin Cities communities. He volunteers his time back with Special Olympics, Breath of Hope, the Miracle League and an adaptive golf league.
With the Special Olympics, Molenaar routinely plays floor hockey on Wednesdays and ice hockey on Sundays with the St. Cloud group throughout the season. With the Breath of Hope, Molenaar has attended events and raised money for 11 years to benefit the organization that raises awareness for cystic fibrosis. Molenaar has always been very active with the Miracle League, an adaptive baseball league in the Twin Cities, and an adaptive golf league at Braemar Golf Course in Edina.
In the classroom, Molenaar is a Biomedical Sciences major and expects to graduate in May 2024. He earned Academic All-NCHC honors for the 2022-23 season.
Information regarding single game and season tickets can be found at scsutickets.com. For all the latest on St. Cloud State Men's Hockey, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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