Senior goaltender Kyle McClellan is one of 32 players named to the initial watch list for the 2024 Mike Richter Award, which goes annually to the nation's top goaltender, the Hockey Commissioners' Association announced.

The award, named after the former Badger netminder, U.S. Olympian, Stanley Cup champion and U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer, was first given out in 2014.

McClellan currently leads the nation in all major goaltending statistical categories with 17 victories, an .810 winning percentage, 1.67 goals-against average, a .939 save percentage and six shutouts. His six shutout are twice those of the next closest goaltender and rank second on UW's single-season list.

His performance has been a part of UW's top national team defense with a 1.63 goals-against per game average and top-ranked penalty kill at 91.7 percent.

The Manchester, Missouri, native's outstanding performance this season has earned him multiple accolades, including Hockey Commissioners Association's National Goaltender of the Month for December, Kwik Trip Holiday Faceoff Most Outstanding Goaltender and three weekly Big Ten Stars of the Week honors.

For his career, McClellan is the current national leader with a .927 save percentage and shares third with 10 career shutouts.

To qualify for the watch list, a goaltender needed to meet minimum goals-aganst average (GAA) or save percentage standards, which is anyone with a GAA at 2.50 or below or a save percentage of .915 or higher.

A committee of voters — made up of a cross section of coaches, administrators, scouts and media — will pare this list down to approximately 15 names within the next three weeks and then ultimately choose the winner who will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four. A similar award to recognize the top female goalie in the NCAA is also presented by the HCA, an honor UW women's goaltenders Jane Gervais and Ava McNaughton are up for.