MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – University of North Dakota head coach Brad Berry was named National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Coach of the Year and freshman forward Brock Boeser won a pair of awards tonight at the league's annual awards celebration in downtown Minneapolis.

Berry, in his first year at the helm of his alma mater, won the Herb Brooks Award as the league's top coach. His predecessor, current Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol, won the award last season. Berry has guided the Fighting Hawks to the most wins in the nation (30) and a 19-4-1 conference record, landing the program its second straight Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champion.

Berry joined his former collegiate coach, John “Gino” Gasparini, as the only UND coaches to win 30 games in their first second behind the bench, and Berry's 28 regular-season victories established a new school record for first-year coaches.

Boeser, from nearby Burnsville, Minn., was named the NCHC Rookie of the Year and also received NCHC's new Three Stars Award. Boeser led the NCHC in both points (35) and goals (20) during conference play and set new league records in both categories. He also became the first UND freshman to lead a conference (NCHC or WCHA) in either category.

A first-round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2015, Boeser was a four-time NCHC Rookie of the Week and one-time NCHC Offensive Player of the Week.

In 36 games overall this season, Boeser leads the league with 25 goals and is tied atop the NCHC scoring race with 48 points. He is just the sixth freshman in UND history to reach the 25-goal plateau, joining Troy Murray (33 in 1980-81), Kevin Maxwell (31 in 1978-79), Perry Berezan (31 in 1983-84), Cary Eades (27 in 1978-79) and Zach Parise (26 in 2002-03). Earlier this month, Boeser was named to the All-NCHC First Team and the All-NCHC Rookie Team.

Berry, Boeser and top-seeded UND face Minnesota Duluth on Friday afternoon in the first of two NCHC Frozen Faceoff semifinals.