Senior defenseman Brad Fast is one of 15 finalists for the eighth annual Hockey Humanitarian Award, which will be awarded at an April 11 ceremony at the Frozen Four in Buffalo, N.Y.
The award recognizes college hockey's "finest citizen" for his or her contributions to society. Candidates for the award span Division I through Division III in both men's and women's college hockey.
Fast, a native of Fort St. John, British Columbia, said he's honored by the nomination. No Spartan has ever won the award.
"I'm still a little bit in the dark about the whole thing," Fast said. "But to be nominated for any award at any time is an honor. It's really hard to point out anybody on our team because we have a group of guys that will go do anything at any time for people. I guess just to be selected out of my team would be honor enough.
"But it's not an award that should go to one single person, in my mind, because there are so many people who do so much in their communities."
Senior defenseman Steve Clark, one of Fast's roommates, said Fast has been active in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, as well as reading to school children and signing autographs at youth hockey practices.
"He's one of the athletes on this campus that truly appreciates what he gets," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "He understands how much he gets and is more than willing to give back. He's a great kid."
Two other CCHA players, Ohio State goaltender Mike Betz and Notre Dame forward John Wroblewski, are also nominees.
Separated at birth
Clark swears he doesn't have a twin brother, but some people think he bears a striking resemblance to Ohio State's national-championship-winning quarterback Craig Krenzel.
"I heard that (Krenzel) is one of the best-looking guys in the country, so I can't really complain about that," Clark said Saturday. "Hopefully, I'll be able to help our team win the national championship as well."
Oh, what a Night
Freshman defenseman Jared Nightingale scored his first collegiate goal when he rang a 45-foot shot off the post and into the net against Lake Superior State on Saturday.
And it couldn't have come at a better place. In 2001, Nightingale committed to the Lakers, for whom two of his brothers played. But when his siblings had a falling out with head coach Frank Anzalone, Nightingale broke his commitment and signed with MSU.
On top of that, Nightingale also played junior hockey in Sault Ste. Marie - for the Soo Indians of the North American Hockey League. He said his parents, former housing parents, and friends from his hometown, Cheboygan, were in the stands Saturday.
"I don't score too many goals, so I didn't want to jinx myself by celebrating too much," Nightingale said.
"But it was nice to get that first one. I was just trying to get it on net."
Worthy candidates?
The online fan vote for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to college hockey's most outstanding player, is underway at www.voteforhobey.com. Fans can nominate any Division I men's hockey player until Jan. 19. At that time, players with 25 or more nominations enter the second phase of the fan vote - finalist selection.
MSU doesn't have a clear-cut Hobey candidate so far, but Fast, senior defenseman John-Michael Liles, or sophomore center Jim Slater could get into the race if they heat up and MSU starts playing better.
Fast's kind of game
The team's 27th annual charity broomball game against area lawyers will be played at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 at Munn Ice Arena. Tickets are $4 and are available at the Athletic Ticket Office, the Sparrow Foundation or from Mid-Michigan Kiwanis Club members.
Proceeds will benefit Sparrow's Coaches & Athletes 4 Kids foundation. A celebrity silent auction is also scheduled.
