UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-LAS VEGAS’ CHARLES MASEK NAMED AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION MEN’S DIVISION I ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
First Rebels Rookie of the Year in Team History
UNION LAKE, Mich. – (April 20, 2026) – The 2025‐2026 American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men’s Division I Rookie of the Year Award goes to University of Nevada-Las Vegas forward Charles Masek, as selected by the Head Coaches of ACHA Men’s Division I. Masek is the first Rebels player to win the award in its 24‐year history.
The other finalists for the Men’s Division I Rookie of the Year Award were:
- #12 Logan Nickolaus, Forward, Hope College
- #16 Aiden Kalin, Forward, Niagara University
- #21 Connor Lemmerbrock, Forward, University of Cincinnati
Masek, a 5‐foot, 10‐inch, 181‐pound freshman from Menomonee Falls, Wisc., was the third leading scorer with the Rebels. In 32 regular season games, Masek scored 10 goals with 22 assists for 32 points. He played a pivotal role in helping the Rebels earn a berth to their eighth consecutive ACHA Men’s Division I National Championships.
At the 2026 ACHA Men’s Division I National Championships, Masek had two assists and was a plus three in three games played as the Rebels earned a 3rd place finish. His performance earned him 2nd Team All-Tournament honors as a forward.
At the end of the season voting by the head coaches for the Western Collegiate Hockey League (WCHL) awards, which includes No. 12 Grand Canyon University, No. 13 University of Utah, No. 15 University of Arizona, and No. 16 Missouri State University, Masek was named Rookie of the Year, 2nd Team All-League, and 1st Team All-Rookie.
Prior to arriving at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Masek played his youth hockey with the Milwaukee Junior Admirals (13U/14U/15U), Green Bay Gamblers (16U), and Victory Honda (18U) before transitioning into junior hockey with the Lone Star Brahmas of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). During his four seasons with the Lone Star Brahmas, Max played 177 regular season games notching 41 goals and 46 assists to go along with two goals and three assists in 29 playoff games.
Max, the son of Timothy and Theresa Masek, is majoring in business and has a twin brother Max and younger brother Colin, who attends and plays hockey for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
| MEN’S DIVISION I ROOKIE OF THE YEAR | ||||
| 2025‐2026 | Forward | #3 | Charles Masek | University of Nevada-Las Vegas |
| 2024‐2025 | Forward | #16 | Max Wagener | Maryville University |
| 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 560 colleges and university-affiliated teams representing 48 states provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the sport of Hockey nationwide. With approximately 16,000 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 35th season in March 2026. For more information, visit achahockey.org.
