Part of an illustrious hockey family—his father, grandfather, and great grandfather played for the Montreal Canadiens—Blake Geoffrion established himself as one of the nation’s premiere players as tri-captain of the Badgers, helping Wisconsin to the national championship game. The senior forward from Brentwood, Tennessee, skated a regular shift plus special teams and was a remarkable 59% on face-offs with a shooting percentage of 23%. Named MVP of the West Regional, he recorded 28 goals and 22 assists in 40 games, ranking third nationally in goal scoring and leading the country with 15 power play goals. Finishing second in the WCHA scoring race and topping the conference in goals and power play goals, he was selected as a First Team all-star. Off the ice, the consumer science major visited UW Children’s Hospital and was a mentor to a cancer patient and peer leader to UW students. He was a second round draft pick of the Nashville Predators and spent time between Nashville and Milwaukee in the AHL. He played for both teams again in 2011-12 before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens. Geoffrion retired from playing after a head injury in the 2012-13 season with Hamilton. He is presently a scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Award: