Corey Potter has been a quiet force on the Spartans' blue line for the past four years and has emerged as one of the best defenders in the nation.
His gritty style of mucking it up in the corners throughout his career has been far from quiet, however. But the amount of national attention he has compiled has been slim.
"He gets no recognition whatsoever," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "He plays every situation and plays so much."
Potter has recorded a career high in points this season with four goals and 18 assists for 22 points, but the 6-foot-3, 191-pound Mason native is better known for his defense.
"I've put more points on the board, but that's not what I'm most proud of," Potter said. "Just playing defense is what my game's all about and playing physical and aggressive and just making sure that the other team doesn't want to come in our zone — that's one of the things I take most pride in."
Potter's grit has made him no stranger to the penalty box throughout his career, but he said that aspect is part of his game. He has racked up 115 penalty minutes this season.
"I like to play physical and be tough," Potter said. "I like to punish the opponents. I don't want them in our zone, and I want the puck out.
"Anything I can do to keep the puck out of the net and out of our zone is what I have to do."
Despite his consistent performances, Potter wasn't even in consideration for the CCHA Defensive Defenseman award. Instead, the title was up for grabs between Michigan's Matt Hunwick, Northern Michigan's Nathan Oystrick and Miami's Andy Greene.
"We have a lot of good players in our league, very deserving of awards," Comley said. "I think Andy Greene has had a marvelous career, and certainly Oystrick and Hunwick are great players, but no one is better than Corey Potter and his value to a team — absolutely nobody."
Although Potter has gone unrecognized nationally, his accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by his team.
"His ability to compete is his best talent, and his talents are good — they're really good," Comley said. "He's just got a warrior mentality, and he does it every day. He's one of those really, really good players, and it doesn't matter to him whether it's practice or a game."
In MSU's five-game run to the CCHA playoff title, Potter scored once and assisted five times to finish tied for third among MSU scorers in the postseason.
"It's nice to get those accolades, but it really doesn't bother me at all," Potter said. "I'll stand in the background all my life just as long as I make it to the next level and keep playing hockey."
