Beni Halasz Secures Spot on Prestigious Mike Richter Award Watch List

LOWELL, Mass. – Junior goalkeeper Beni Halasz (Budapest, Hungary) of the UMass Lowell ice hockey squad (12-6-2, 5-5-1 Hockey East) has been selected for the 2025 Mike Richter Award Watch List, as disclosed by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) on Tuesday afternoon. The roster consists of 35 male NCAA Division I goaltenders who will contend for the accolade awarded to the premier goalie in NCAA Division I hockey. 

Halasz has experienced a promising beginning to his 2024-25 season and River Hawk journey thus far, participating in nine matches and starting eight. He presently ranks tied for 19th in the nation with a .926 save percentage, while holding the 21st-best GAA of 2.13. Halasz is currently tied for first within the Hockey East with a .943 conference save percentage and stands second in conference GAA at 1.84. Overall, his .926 save percentage and 2.13 GAA both place him third in the conference. Furthermore, he has secured two shutouts this season, achieved during consecutive contests against UConn (32 saves) and St. Lawrence (20 saves) on November 23 and 29. Former UMass Lowell goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, was the inaugural recipient of the Mike Richter Award in 2014.

A panel of voters — consisting of a diverse group of coaches, administrators, scouts, and media — will narrow this list to around a dozen semifinalists within the next three weeks and subsequently select a winner from three finalists, who will be revealed in April during the NCAA Frozen Four.