The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced awards for the 2021-22 season and St. Cloud Norsemen forward Ryan O’Neill was named the league MVP and Forward of the Year. Both O’Neill and defenseman Evan Murr were named to the league First Team as well.
O’Neill, a University of St. Thomas commit, led the North American Hockey League in scoring with 80 points in the regular season on 30 goals (8th in the NAHL), 50 assists (2nd in the NAHL) and a league-best 1.40 points/per game. The Roseville, MN native led the Central Division in Points, Goals, Assists, Power Play Points and Points Per Game.
O’Neill set a new franchise record with 146 career points, breaking a record set in 2009 (Jerry Freismuth, 139 points, 2006-09). O’Neill is also became the franchise goals leader with 60 goals and is second in career assists with 86.
Murr, a Minnesota State Mavericks commit, was the top scoring defenseman in the Central Division, second in the NAHL in scoring among defensemen with 43 points. Murr’s 13 goals are the most by a defenseman in the NAHL this season. The Stillwater, MN native played 56 games, posting 13 goals, 30 assists and 43 points, with a plus-17 rating, adding 20 points on the power play.
The selections are based on performance during the 2021-22 regular season, as voted upon by the league’s 29 Head Coaches. Complete NAHL Awards Listed here.
2021-22 All-NAHL 1st Team
Forward: Cy LeClerc, Janesville Jets
Forward: Nicholas Niemo, Lone Star Brahmas
Forward: Ryan O’Neill, St. Cloud Norsemen
Defense: Vincent Corcoran, Wichita Falls Warriors
Defense: Evan Murr, St. Cloud Norsemen
Goalie: Arthur Smith, Lone Star Brahmas
St. Cloud will face the Aberdeen Wings in the Central Division Finals, a best-of-five series that will determine the Central Division champion and team that will advance to the final four of the 2022 NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs. As the top seed, the Norsemen have home ice advantage.
The playoff series between St. Cloud and Aberdeen will begin this Friday and Saturday, May 6-7, with both games at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex. Tickets are on sale now at tickets.stcloudnorsemen.com — Playoff tickets are just $5 and the $2 Coors and Coors Light beer special will continue throughout the playoffs.
The Norsemen Playoffs are presented by Premier Real Estate Services.
Playoff games will be broadcast live for subscribers on HockeyTV with Voice of the Norsemen, Ashley Chase.
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