Michigan State and Minnesota Garner Hockey Three Stars Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Three Stars of the Week for hockey games played Feb. 9-10.

First Star
Justen Close, Minnesota
Gr. – G – Kindersley, Saskatchewan — Kindersley Klippers (SJHL)

• Recorded back-to-back shutouts wins versus Penn State, which featured the 10th-best scoring offense in the NCAA
• Stopped 66 shots, extending his shutout streak to 179:06
• Tied the Minnesota career shutout record (13) and became the Big Ten’s career leader in conference shutouts (9)
• Captures First Star honors for the second-straight week and for the third time this season
• Earns his eighth-career Star award (5-First Stars, 2-Second Stars, 1-Third Star)

Second Star
Trey Augustine, Michigan State
Fr. – G – South Lyon, Mich. — U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP)

• Stopped 65 of 68 shots to lead No. 9/8 Michigan State to a sweep of No. 11/11 Michigan
• Posted a 1.50 goals-against average and .956 save percentage during the series, helping the Spartans maintain their hold of first place in the Big Ten standings
• Made 29 saves Friday at Yost Ice Arena and followed with 36 saves Saturday at Little Caesars Arena, turning away several shots in the final minutes to preserve a 3-2 win
• The Detroit Red Wings draft pick receives his third Big Ten weekly accolade this season
• Previous Michigan State winner: Nicolas Müller (Third Star, Jan. 23, 2024)

Third Star
Aaron Huglen, Minnesota
Jr. – F – Roseau, Minn. — Fargo Force (USHL)

• Compiled two goals and an assist in Minnesota’s sweep of Penn State in Minneapolis
• Broke a scoreless tie with a pair of goals in a span of 3:22, providing the game-winner in Minnesota’s 3-0 victory on Feb. 10
• Seven of his eight goals this season have occurred on Saturdays
• The Buffalo Sabres draft choice takes home his first Big Ten weekly award
• Last Minnesota recipient: Justen Close (First Star, Feb. 6, 2024)
  
   

2023-24 Big Ten Hockey Three Stars
Oct. 10
First Star: Rutger McGroarty, So., F, MICH
Second Star: Nicolas Müller, 5th, F, MSU
Third Star: Kyle McClellan, Sr., G, WIS

Oct. 17
First Star: Jimmy Snuggerud, So., F, MINN
Second Star: Joey Larson, So., F, MSU
Third Star: Ryan Kirwan, Jr., F, PSU

Oct. 24
First Star: Justen Close, Gr., G, MINN
Second Star: Jake Barczewski, Gr., G, MICH
Third Star: Mathieu De St. Phalle, Sr., F, WIS

Oct. 31
First Star: Logan Terness, Jr., G, OSU
Second Star: T.J. Hughes, So., F, MICH
Third Star: Landon Slaggert, Sr., F, ND

Nov. 7
First Star: Gavin O’Connell, Fr. F, MSU
Second Star: Rhett Pitlick, Jr., F, MINN
Third Star: Owen Lindmark, Gr., F, WIS

Nov. 14
First Star: Ryan Bischel, Gr., G, ND
Second Star: Brody Lamb, So., F, MINN
Third Star: Landon Slaggert, Sr., F, ND

Nov. 21
First Star: Trey Augustine, Fr., G, MSU
Second Star: Aiden Fink, Fr., F, PSU
Third Star: Matt DiMarsico, Fr., F, PSU

Nov. 28
First Star: Bryce Brodzinski, Gr., F, MINN
Second Star: Jake Barczewski, Gr., G, MICH
Third Star: Aiden Fink, Fr., F, PSU

Dec. 5
First Star: Kyle McClellan, Sr., G, WIS
Second Star: Rhett Pitlick, Jr., F, MINN
Third Star: Ryan Bischel, Gr., G, ND

Dec. 12
First Star: Trey Augustine, Fr., G, MSU
Second Star: Carson Bantle, Sr., F, WIS
Third Star: Charlie Stramel, So., F, WIS

Jan. 3
First Star: Simon Tassy, So., F, WIS
Second Star: Cole Knuble, Fr., F, ND
Third Star: Kyle McClellan, Sr., G, WIS

Jan. 10
First Star: Jimmy Snuggerud, So., F, MINN
Second Star: Ryan Kirwan, Jr., F, PSU
Third Star: Scooter Brickey, 5th, D, OSU

Jan. 16
First Star: Gavin Brindley, So., F, MICH
Second Star: Artyom Levshunov, Fr., D, MSU
Third Star: Sam Rinzel, Fr., D, MINN

Jan. 23
First Star: Rutger McGroarty, So., F, MICH
Second Star: Rhett Pitlick, Jr., F, MINN
Third Star: Nicolas Müller, 5th, F, MSU

Jan. 30
First Star: Frank Nazar III, So., F, MICH
Second Star: Oliver Moore, Fr., F, MINN
Third Star: Aiden Fink, Fr., F, PSU

Feb. 6
First Star: Justen Close, Gr., G, MINN
Second Star: Kyle McClellan, Sr., G, WIS
Third Star: Jake Barczewski, Gr., G, MICH

Feb. 13
First Star: Justen Close, Gr., G, MINN
Second Star: Trey Augustine, Fr., G, MSU
Third Star: Aaron Huglen, Jr., F, MINN