Three Stars Honors Presented to Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Three Stars of the Week for hockey games played Feb. 2-3. It is the first time since Dec. 12, 2019 that three goaltenders have been honored in the same week.


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

• Gave up two goals in 126 minutes of action as No. 9/9 Minnesota earned an overtime win and tie against fourth-ranked Wisconsin in Madison, Wis.
• Posted a 0.95 goals-against average and a .969 save percentage during the series
• Made 40 saves on Friday (Feb. 2), helping the Gophers to a 2-1 overtime win
• Earns his second Big Ten weekly award of the season and the seventh of his career (4-First Stars, 2-Second Stars, 1-Third Star)
• Last Minnesota honoree: Oliver Moore (Second Star, Jan. 30, 2024)
  
  

Second Star
Kyle McClellan, Wisconsin
Sr. – G – Manchester, Mo. — Mercyhurst (Atlantic Hockey)

• Allowed three goals against No. 9/9 Minnesota, finishing with a 1.43 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage on the weekend (Feb. 2-3)
• Recorded a season-high 42 saves and stopped two shots in a shootout to lead No. 4/4 Wisconsin to a 1-1 overtime tie versus Minnesota on Feb. 3
• Raised his season save percentage to .933, which ranks second-best in the NCAA
• Earns his fourth Star award of the season and the fifth of his career (2-First Stars, 1-Second Star, 2-Third Stars)
• Previous Wisconsin award winners: Simon Tassy (First Star, Jan. 3, 2024) and Kyle McClellan (Third Star, Jan. 3, 2024)

Third Star
Jake Barczewski, Michigan
Gr. – G – O’Fallon, Mo. — Canisius (Atlantic Hockey)

• Backstopped No. 12/12 Michigan to a sweep of arch-rival Ohio State, giving the Wolverines six points on the weekend (Feb. 2-3)
• Amassed a 1.50 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage along with providing a secondary assist on Saturday
• Has appeared in 23 of 26 games this season for the Wolverines
• Receives third weekly honor of the season and his career (2-Second Stars, 1-Third Star)
• Last Michigan recipient: Frank Nazar III (First Star, Jan. 30, 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