On March 9, BGSU hockey junior defenseman Breck McKinley was named one of three finalists for the CCHA Defenseman of the Year award.  

Along with McKinley, Michigan Tech senior Jack Anderson and Minnesota State junior and reigning award winner Evan Murr are the other finalists for the award.  

The award, like all CCHA yearly awards, is based only on conference play and is voted on by the coaches of the CCHA (coaches aren’t allowed to vote for their own players).  

Breck McKinley scored a total of two goals and 24 assists for 26 points across 36 games over the course of the season, leading the CCHA’s defensemen in assists and points.  

In conference play, McKinley scored one goal and 18 assists for 19 points across 28 games.  

Additionally, McKinley finished the season having blocked 28 shots and recorded a +13 +/- rating.  

McKinley won the CCHA Defenseman of the Week award earlier this season (his second time winning the award in his career) following his series against Northern Michigan on Dec. 5 and 6.  

The CCHA will announce the winner of the Defenseman of the Year award at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 12.