Erich Fear has been taking care of business, and then some, during his first three years at Denver

The junior defenseman recently was selected the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championship. The Elite 90 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the site of an NCAA championship.

Fear already has earned his undergraduate degree in finance with a 3.97 cumulative GPA and has started work on a master’s degree in accounting. He’s a two-time NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Conference pick, and he was an AHCA All-American Scholar in 2017.

Just as he does in the classroom, Fear likes a positive balance sheet on the ice. His main job is preventing goals, and he was one of many key factors in DU allowing just 83 goals in 41 games, ninth-fewest in Division I. A physically imposing 6-foot-4 defenseman, Fear played a career-high 37 games this season, 11 more than his first two seasons combined, and had three of his five points.

Fear is the sixth student-athlete in school history to receive the award and second from the hockey program, joining Gabe Levin who won in 2016.

Team awards

The Pioneers announced their season awards at the annual hockey banquet earlier this month.

The team MVP – the Bill Masterton Award – was split between the goaltending tag team of sophomore Devin Cooley and freshman Filip Larsson. Each finished in the top 10 in goals-against average and save percentage, and each had four shutouts. Cooley’s numbers were 11-6-2, 1.85 GAA and .934, while Larsson, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, had states of 14-6-2, 1.94 GAA and .932. Cooley also won the most improved player honor – the Murray Armstrong Award – and no wonder. He went from playing 20 minutes total in 2017-18 to establishing himself as a top-end starter.

Senior captain Colin Staub was other Pioneer to win two awards, capturing  the honors for most inspirational player – the Dr. Ralph Verploeg Award – and most sportsmanlike player – the Dr. Ken Bredesen Award.

The offensive player of the year – the Dallas Gaume Award – went to junior Liam Finlay, who had career highs of 36 points and 16 goals. The former led the team.

The Three Stars Award went to senior Jarid Lukosevicius, who led the Pioneers with 19 goals and seven game-winners. He signed with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League on Monday.

Junior defenseman Michael Davies captured best defensive player – the Keith Magnuson Award. Davies also had a career-high 17 points.

Forward Emilio Pettersen, whose 30 points were second on the team, won freshman of the year – the Barry Sharp Award.

Sophomore forward Jack Doremus was honored for his community service – the Bob Martin Award.

Fear won the Dr. Art Mason Memorial Award as the top scholar-athlete.

©First Line Editorial 2019