North Dakota hands out its awards

North Dakota, which won the WCHA regular-season title and the conference tournament, has released the names of its award winner for the 2010-11 hockey season:

MVP: Matt Frattin, sr. f. ... One of three finalists for Hobey Baker Award. Led nation with 36 goals, second in points with 60. Easy choice. Also earned first three-star award, meaning he was named one of the three stars of the game the most times after home games.

Frattin also was named UND's male athlete of the year.

Rookie of Year: defenseman Derek Forbort of Duluth. He had 15 assists and was a plus-22.

Most improved: sophomore goalei Aaron Dell. Set a school record with 30 victories. led nation with a 1.79 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage.

Unsung hero: Jake Marto, senior defenseman. He had 8 goals and 19 points in 44 games, all career highs.

Plus/minus award: Ben Blood, junior defenseman from Plymouth. He was a plus-33, the best mark among all Division I hockey players.

Purpur award (hard worker, determined, exciting on ice): Evan Trupp, senior forward. Can't forget his play in Final Five. He carried the puck in the air, on his stick, more than 100 feet and then shot.

Athletic scholarship (skill and smarts): Genoway and senior defenseman Derrick LaPoint.

Hoghaug Memorial Scholarship (freshman with initiative, character, responsibility): Brock Nelson, a forward from Warroad. He led Sioux freshmen with eight goals, 21 points.

TWO SIOUX LEAVING

Two sophomore forwards at North Dakota are transferring, according to the Grand Forks Herald. Brett Brunetau is going to Vermont, where he will play with a younger brother. Mike Cichy has not decided on a college yet.