ROSEMONT, Ill. – Freshman defenseman Paul DeNaples (Moscow, Pa.) has been named a finalist for the 2018-19 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon.
This marks the second season the league has recognized the top-3 finalists for each individual award and the second-straight season a Penn State player has made the cut for DPOTY. Last season, Trevor Hamilton '18 took home the hardware as the 2017-18 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
DeNaples joins Michigan's Quinn Hughes and Ohio State's Sasha Larocque as the three finalists for the 2018-19 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. The All-Big Ten teams and award winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 19.
In his freshman campaign, DeNaples has impressed with his low-risk, reliable defense which has led him to a national best plus-31 rating. The rookie has been on the ice for 58 of Penn State's single-season record 170 goals this season, 34 percent. DeNaples also leads the Big Ten with a plus-15 rating in 24 conference games this season.
Overall, the freshman has scored twice while adding 12 assists for 14 points while only taking three minor penalties all season. At plus-31, DeNaples is also just shy of Erik Autio's '18 Penn State single-season plus/minus record of plus-33.
Penn State next travels to Columbus to battle top-seeded Ohio State in the Big Ten Semifinals on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.