ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY’S ETHAN CHESNEY NAMED AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION MEN’S DIVISION I ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
First Redbirds Rookie of the Year in Team History
UNION LAKE, Mich. – (April 10, 2024) – The 2023‐2024 American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men’s Division I Rookie of the Year Award goes to Illinois State University forward Ethan Chesney, as selected by the Head Coaches of ACHA Men’s Division I. Chesney becomes the first Redbirds player to win the award in its 22‐year history.
The other finalists for the Men’s Division I Rookie of the Year Award were:
- #19 Mathieu Ovaert, Forward, Ohio University
- #2 J.J. Creighton, Defense, Kent State University
- #91 Hunter Bulger, Forward, Missouri State University
Chesney, a 5‐foot, 9‐inch, 165‐pound freshman from Elgin, Ill., was the second leading scorer with the Redbirds. In 35 regular season games, Chesney had 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points. Chesney led the Redbirds with four game winning goals and six powerplay goals. He played a pivotal role in helping the Redbirds earn a berth to their second consecutive ACHA Men’s Division I National Championships by coming up big in the moments that needed it during the regular season, including tallying 16 total points in 15 games played against teams competing in the 2024 ACHA Men’s Division I National Championships. In Midwest College Hockey (MCH), Chesney was named Rookie of the Year, 2nd Team All-League, and 1st Team All-Rookie.
Prior to arriving at Illinois State University, Chesney played his youth hockey with the West Dundee Leafs then moved into junior hockey with the Peoria Mustangs of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). Chesney played 122 total games and produced 156 points in three seasons with the Mustangs. During the 2021-2022 season, Ethan played nine games in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the Springfield Jr Blues, notching one goal and one assist.
| MEN’S DIVISION I ROOKIE OF THE YEAR | ||||
| 2023‐2024 | Forward | #29 | Ethan Chesney | Illinois State University |
| 2022‐2023 | Forward | #8 | Luc Reeve | Ohio University |
| 2021‐2022 | Forward | #27 | Hunter Floris | Iowa State University |
| 2020‐2021 | Forward | #82 | Carter Barley | Minot State University |
| 2019‐2020 | Defense | #5 | Colin Baird | Liberty University |
| 2018‐2019 | Forward | #17 | Ryan Finnegan | Lindenwood University |
| 2017‐2018 | Forward | #15 | Anthony Cusanelli | University of Arizona |
| 2016‐2017 | Forward | #16 | Marcus Rose | Adrian College |
| 2015‐2016 | Forward | #7 | Tony Uglem | Iowa State University |
| 2014‐2015 | Forward | #27 | Brad Kobryn | Adrian College |
| 2013‐2014 | Goalie | #35 | Robert Levin | Arizona State University |
| 2012‐2013 | Forward | #6 | Senate Patton | Adrian College |
| 2011‐2012 | Forward | #14 | Tommy Olczyk | Penn State University |
| 2010‐2011 | Forward | #11 | Kale Dolinski | Minot State University |
| 2009‐2010 | Forward | #22 | Brent Boschman | Liberty University |
| 2008‐2009 | Forward | #12 | Michael Macari | University of Michigan‐Dearborn |
| 2007‐2008 | Forward | #19 | Jake Ebner | Lindenwood University |
| 2006‐2007 | Forward | #23 | Mike Poljak | Youngstown State University |
| 2005‐2006 | Forward | #9 | Lukas Delorenzo | Penn State University |
| 2004‐2005 | Forward | #12 | Mike Heath | Duquesne University |
| 2003‐2004 | Goalie | #29 | Anthony Feyock | University of Rhode Island |
| 2002‐2003 | Forward | #17 | Anthony Nordo | Drexel University |
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About American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) was founded in 1991 and is the national association for Non-NCAA Collegiate Hockey throughout the United States. Our organization of more than 450 colleges and university-affiliated teams representing 48 states provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the sport of Hockey nationwide. With approximately 13,000 players and coaches as well as countless volunteers and game officials, the ACHA has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade and continues to be a viable option for college bound student-athletes to continue playing competitive hockey nationwide. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, the ACHA’s primary mission is to support the growth of Collegiate Hockey while emphasizing academic performance, personal development, and opportunities for regional, national, and international competition. The ACHA identifies standards which serve to unite and regulate teams at the collegiate level and finished its 33rd season in March 2024. For more information, visit achahockey.org.
