Wisconsin goaltender Kyle McClellan wins the Mike Richter Award

MADISON – The Mike Richter Award came with a first-time footnote this year.

When the Hockey Commissioners Association decided to honor the top goaltender in Division I college hockey 10 years ago, it named the honor for Richter, a former Wisconsin Badgers standout who went on to play for the New York Rangers and be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

On Friday, Wisconsin's Kyle McClellan received the honor at the Frozen Four at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, marking the first time a Badger won the award.

The senior, who recently signed a pro contract with Iowa of the AHL, beat Boston College freshman Jacob Fowler and Colorado College sophomore Kaidan Mbereko for the award.

“It’s pretty special,” McClellan said in a news release announcing the award. “It’s named after Mike Richter who went here, so, being the first Wisconsin Badger to win it is pretty iconic and something that will stick with me the rest of my life.

“I couldn’t have done this without my teammates and coaches and all those who contributed to my success and I’ll always be grateful to everyone who helped me along the way.”

Kyle McClellan's play fueled Wisconsin's resurgent season

McClellan was chosen as a second-team west All-American on the CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association team. That distinction makes him the first Badger All-American in three years and the first goaltender since Brian Elliott in 2006.

McClellan's play was a key reason for Wisconsin’s resurgence this season.

The Badgers (26-12-2, 16-7-1 Big Ten) climbed from last place in the conference last year to the league's runner-up  and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.

McClellan enjoyed a similar rise. He was a backup to Jared Moe last season and posted a .883 save percentage and a 3.57 goals-against average. This year he leads the nation with a .933 save percentage  and seven shutouts and is second with a 1.94 goals against average.

He went 24-12-1 and allowed two goals or less 26 times.

McClellan received a number of honors as a result of his play. He was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, won the Big Ten goaltender of the year award and was a first-team All-American by College Hockey News.

McClellan had a COVID year at his disposal but opted to begin his pro career. He signed an amateur tryout agreement that allowed him to join the Wild immediately as well as a one-year, one-way AHL contract for the 2024-25 season.

"He's been a rock for us from day one,” Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said after UW’s loss to Quinnipiac in the NCAA Tournament. “We challenged this entire group when we started the season asking them to be accountable and responsible for what they can do in their daily routine. Kyle exhibits qualities you want in any goaltender that you're ever going to have to try and win a championship.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin goaltender Kyle McClellan wins Mike Richter Award