If you like offense, Troy Loggins and Patrick Newell are your guys.

Both seniors are elite skaters and gifted at shooting and distributing the puck, but they took different paths to becoming California Rubber Magazine’s 2018-19 NCAA Men’s Players of the Year.

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Loggins, a dynamo for Northern Michigan, is a repeat winner, having shared the award with former Notre Dame forward Andrew Oglevie last season. Newell emerged from a supporting role on a talented St. Cloud State team. Both gained national and conference recognition for their impressive campaigns.

The Huntington Beach native scored 23 goals, the second most in Division I through the end of March and finished with 40 points. He tied for the D-I leads in power-play goals (10) and shorthanded goals (three). He was selected the WCHA’s Player of the Year and signed a three-year contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

Loggins finished his career with 106 points in 136 games, but 87 of those points came in the last two seasons (82 games), as did eight of his nine game-winning goals, 19 of his 22 power-play goals, all eight shorthanded goals and all eight empty-net goals. It’s no surprise that he was a two-time All-WCHA pick.

Newell, a Thousand Oaks product, has been a model of consistency at St. Cloud State, increasing his point totals from 22 to 24 to 27 over his first three seasons with the Huskies. Then this season happened.

Newell, who signed a free-agent contract with the New York Rangers, erupted for 47 points and 21 goals, which were four more than he had during his first three seasons combined. His 47 points tied for the fourth most and his plus-35 rating led D-I through the end of March.

As a result, he captured a trio of NCHC honors – Forward of the Year, First Team All-NCHC and the Sportsmanship Award – and he was selected one of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. He finished his college career with 120 points in 145 games.

Loggins and Newell headline a very strong group of players on this season’s All-California NCAA Men’s Team.

Meet the rest of the team

FORWARDS

Cole Guttman, Denver – The Tampa Bay Lightning pick was the top-line center for a Frozen Four team from Day 1 as a freshman, had 23 points in 40 games and his 12 goals were third on the Pioneers. Five of his strikes were first goals.

Jake Hamacher, RIT – The sophomore went from eight points to 30 (third on the Tigers) and pumped in 13 goals, including three winners.

Brendan Harris, Bemidji State – The fleet sophomore often was the Beavers’ top-line center and scored 18 points.

Niko Hildenbrand, UMass – The junior wore a ‘C’ for a Frozen Four team and pitched in 14 points.

Robby Jackson, St. Cloud State – The senior hit the 40-point plateau for the second season in a row while pumping in a career-high 19 goals. He played 149 NCAA games and finished with 121 points.

Will Johnson, Wisconsin – Cast in a defensive role this season, he still had 15 points and was plus-14. He played 143 career games.

Brannon McManus, Minnesota – The sophomore recovered from offseason shoulder surgery to post 26 points, including 14 goals. Six of those came on the power play and three were game-winners.

Nick Rivera, Minnesota State – The junior improved his scoring total for the third season in a row, tallying 10 goals among his 19 points and finishing plus-12.

Jake Slaker, Michigan – Another assistant captain, the junior topped 20 points for the third consecutive season, posting 25 (including 11 goals).

Ryan Siroky, Miami – The senior was a fixture on both RedHawks special teams units and scored a career-high eight goals. He finishes his NCAA career having played in 135 games.

DEFENSEMEN

Slava Demin, Denver – The freshman, a Vegas Golden Knights pick, played in every game for a Frozen Four team, putting up 17 points through 40 games and posting a team-best plus-20 on a low-scoring team.

Nate Kallen, Ferris State – An assistant captain, the junior scored as many points this season (24) as he had his first two seasons combined.

Alec McCrea, Cornell – Another assistant captain, the senior scored 12 points to finish in double digits all four seasons, blocked 74 shots and played in 137 career games.

Matt O’Donnell, Vermont – The junior was a tri-captain for the Catamounts and put up 13 points, his third season in a row in double figures.

Jack St. Ivany, Yale – The Philadelphia Flyers pick put together an impressive freshman season with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) and finished plus-8.

GOALTENDERS

Devin Cooley, Denver – The sophomore went from third-string goalie to sharing the starting job on a Frozen Four team. He was 11-6-2 with a .934 save percentage and an unreal 1.85 goals-against average to go with four shutouts.

Gavin Nieto, Brown – The junior won more games (11) than he had in his first two seasons combined. His .909 save percentage and 2.38 GAA were career-bests and he added two shutouts.

Photos/NMU Athletics; SCSU Athletics

— Chris Bayee

(April 30, 2019)