DULUTH, Minn. – The Trine University men's hockey team received its first Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) accolade as the league announced the men's 2018-19 season award winners today.
The conference announced that Thunder freshman forward Garrett Hallford (McKinney, Texas) would be named 2018-19 NCHA Co-Freshman of the Year.
"Garrett was amazing to coach as a freshman this year, his points in conference speak for themselves," said head coach Alex Todd, "It was his willingness to show up every day and grow with our program that made him special. Different players and different systems throughout the year never phased him. He went out against every team, in every game and performed, even though his routine leading up to each game often times was varied. He never complained, he just went out and performed."
Hallford was a force for the Trine offense throughout the season, leading all three offensive categories for the team. He finished the season with 24 points including 12 goals and 12 assists.
In just conference play he finished with 18 points, good enough to finish seventh in the conference. His nine goals during that stretch were good enough for a third-place tie among conference competition.
Hallford made history for the Thunder in a contest against King's (Pa.) College becoming the first men's skater in program history to record a hat trick.