Hockey Commissioners Association Contact: Joe Bertagna, Hockey East, (781) 245-2122
[email protected] For Immediate Release: Friday, April 6, 2018 MINNESOTA DULUTH’S SCOTT PERUNOVICH IS 2018 TIM TAYLOR NATIONAL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR University of Minnesota Duluth freshman defense- man Scott Perunovich (Hibbing, MN) has been named the recipient of the 2018 Tim Taylor Award, bestowed annually upon the best first-year player in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey, the Hockey Commissioners’ Asso- ciation announced today. He is only the second defen- seman to receive this honor in the 12-year history of the award. The award is voted on by the nation’s assistant coaches and is named for the former Yale University and U.S. Olympic Team head coach. Perunovich was 11-25-36 through 40 games for the Bulldogs, putting him fourth in NCAA freshman scoring and the only non-forward in the top eight. He is also eighth in scoring among all defensemen nationally. A strong two-way player, Perunovich is a major rea- son that Minnesota Duluth advanced to this year’s NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul, MN. “We certainly knew he had the offensive ability and I’m not surprised that he is where he is,” said UMD coach Scott Sandelin. “He does surprise me with some of the plays he makes game in and game out. The big thing is defensively he’s been really good. Overall, it’s probably a little more than we expected as far as the kind of year, but I’m not surprised he’s done what he’s done.” “He’s a special player.