Mankato, Minn. — The Minnesota State men's hockey team has named the recipients of its team awards for the 2010-11 season. The award winners are listed below.
 
Most Valuable Player - Kurt Davis (Sr., Defense, Plymouth, Minn.) — Four-year letterwinner was a two-time All-WCHA Third Team pick...21-75--96 in 150 career games ranks third on MSU's career scoring by defensemen list..,Ranks as MSU's all-time top-scoring defenseman for MSU's NCAA Division I era and completed his career ranking tenth on the school's overall all-time chart for scoring during the DI era...Led the Mavericks in scoring twice in his four years with the program (2010-11 and 2008-09)...Three-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week over the course of his career.

Unsung Hero Award & Three-Star of the Year Award - Ben Youds (Sr., Defense, Maple Grove, Minn.) — Alternate Captain as a senior finished fourth on the team in scoring with 7-14--21...Seven goals in 2010-11 was a career-high...Totalled 22-56--67 in 145 career games with 77 penalties for 184 PIMs...Led the Mavericks in scoring as a junior...Four-year letterman was a three-time WCHA All-Academic pick...Finished +1 for his four-year career.

Most Improved Player Award - Cameron Cooper (Jr., Defense, Lakeville, Minn.) — Achieved career-highs for goals, assists, points and games played in 2010-11 with 3-2--5 in 37 games played...Named to All-Tournament Team as Mavericks captured Shillelagh Tournament title with wins over Notre Dame and Brown...Two-time WCHA All-Academic selection.

Best Hustle Award (Hardest Worker) - Tyler Elbrecht (So., Defense, Edwardsville, Ill.) — Totalled 1-7--8 to rank 14th on the team in scoring as a sophomore...One of six Mavericks to play in all 38 games in 2010-11...Ranked third on the team with a +5...Scored first career goal Oct. 16, 2010 in a 5-5 overtime tie at Michigan Tech...2010-11 WCHA All-Academic selection.
 
Don Brose Leadership Award - Rylan Galiardi (Sr., Forward, Calgary, Alta.) --- 20-10-11 team captain signed amateur try-out offer with San Antonio of the AHL following the end of the season...Completed four-year career with 29-52--81 in 140 games...81 career points ties for 17th overall on MSU's career scoring list for the NCAA Division I era...Finished sixth on MSU's scoring charts in 2010-11 with 7-12--19 in 32 games...Three-time WCHA All-Academic honoree...Two-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award recipient.

MSU also announced that Tyler Elbrecht and senior-to-be forward Michael Dorr have been selected as captains for the 2011-12 campaign. Alternate captains will rotate monthly throughout the season with Cameron Cooper selected to serve as the first alternate captain.
 
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