For the first time in hits history, the Youth Hockey Hub Bantam Player of the Year was awarded to two players, with the Osseo-Maple Grove duo of Brock Faber and Kyle Kukkonen earning the honors on Tuesday.
The pair of Division I commits led a Leafbird squad that was ranked No. 1 all season to a record of 52-3-2. In addition to winning every notable tournament they entered, the Leafbirds also took second in the CCM Invite last fall, playing a level higher-than-required in the 15U Division. The Leafbirds’ season culminated with a state championship, with Kukkonen named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Faber is committed to Notre Dame and will spend next season with the National Team Development Program Under-17 team. Kukkonen had committed to Michigan Tech.
Past Award Winners
| Year | Player | Team | College | NHL Draft Rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ryan Zuhlsdorf | Edina | Minnesota | Tampa Bay |
| 2014 | Casey Mittelstadt | Eden Prairie | Minnesota | Buffalo |
| 2015 | Gavin Hain | Grand Rapids | North Dakota | N/A |
| 2016 | Ethan Frisch | Moorhead | North Dakota | N/A |
| 2017 | Jake Braccini | Buffalo | Minnesota | N/A |
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