Minnesota State University freshman forward Nicholas Rivera was tabbed WCHA Rookie of the Week on Monday after the Mavericks played to a split on the road in Alaska last weekend.

Rivera tied for the NCAA lead among freshmen with four points, scoring a pair of goals with two assists as No. 9 Minnesota State split with the Nanooks. The rookie from Pacific Palisades scored his first two collegiate goals – including the game winner – while also handing out an assist in the Mavericks’ 7-1, series-opening win Friday night.

On Saturday, he was credited with a helper on a late second-period goal that brought Minnesota State within 3-2 (UAF eventually won, 4-2).

In his youth days, Rivera skated for the California Wave and Los Angeles Jr. Kings before tallying 23 goals and 41 points with the United States Hockey League’s Omaha Lancers last season and being named to California Rubber Magazine‘s All-California Junior Team for the 2015-16 season.