The NCHC held its annual awards celebration at Minneapolis’ Muse Event Center on March 17, with a pair of University of Denver student-athletes taking home individual specialty awards.

Sophomore winger Danton Heinen was named the conference’s Forward of the Year, while senior center Gabe Levin took home Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.

Heinen, 20, has tallied 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) in 36 games played so far this season, ranking tied for eighth in the conference in overall scoring. He finished tied for third in the regular season in-conference scoring race with 11 goals and 30 points. Since Feb. 1, the Boston Bruins prospect has scored eight goals and dished out a dozen assists in 10 games played to lead the entire NCAA in points with 20. His +17 plus/minus rating is also the best mark in the nation in that time.

Heinen is the second straight Pioneer to be named NCHC Forward of the Year, with his current linemate Trevor Moore having procured the honor last season.

Levin, 24, was named the recipient of the inaugural NCHC Post-Graduate Scholarship on Wednesday after registering a 3.96 grade-point average throughout his senior year while majoring in finance with a minor in legal studies. He is a two-time NCHC Scholar-Athlete Team member and a three-time NCHC Academic All-Conference honoree. One of Denver’s alternate captains this season, Levin will attend law school after graduating from DU later this year.

Levin photo/DU Athletics