It’s not typical as an athlete to add a MIAC Player of the Year award to one’s trophy case, but St. Thomas goaltender Drew Fielding accomplished the feat twice.
Fielding joined former St. Thomas forward Steve Aronson as the only players to win the Player of the Year award multiple times in conference history. Aronson still holds the MIAC record for the most points in one season, and Fielding said he feels honored to join his elite company.
“It’s pretty incredible to think about that, he’s one of the few players from the MIAC who was able to play significant pro hockey. Even before I had the opportunity to come visit here, I was already hearing about the Steve Aronson legend,” Fielding said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to meet him a few times as well. He’s super humble and just a great person.”
Fielding not only led the Tommies to four-straight conference titles but also capped his career with his third consecutive All-Conference honor, which included an honorable mention as a freshman. Despite the impressive career and senior season, Fielding said this honor came as a surprise.
“I thought there was a lot of guys within the MIAC who had really good seasons” Fielding said. “One of the things that we preach to our team and that I really bought into is it’s a team sport and individual accolades come as a result of team success.”
Coach Jeff Boeser said Fielding’s reliability made things easier on his teammates.
“You know when you got a guy that’s pretty reliable day in and day out, it just makes it a lot easier. It goes to show winning four titles in a row had a lot to do with (Fielding),” Boeser said. “(Fielding) would never say it because he’s a team guy. You’ve got to have a good goaltender to win at our level.”
Defenseman Michael Krieg agreed with Boeser and added that a very capable netminder allows players the ability to take more risks.
“It gives us a lot of confidence. It makes us more comfortable to try to make plays knowing that if we make mistakes he’ll be there to back us up,” Krieg said. “Everyone’s more comfortable when he’s in net to try things and to try to create offense because they know if they mess up, (Fielding) will be there to bail us out.”
Boeser also credited the program’s scheme to some of Fielding’s success because of the defensive mentality St. Thomas takes on as a team.
“We try to limit quality shots, eliminating teams getting second chances with rebounds,” Boeser said. “The one thing Drew is really good at is he’s just fundamentally sound. The guys really believed in him.”
Fielding had a 1.66 goals against average this season, a .934 save percentage and a .636 win percentage, which all led the MIAC among goalies. Krieg said he’s been lucky to share the ice with Fielding for the past four years.
“I think what makes him a great player and a great teammate is his competitiveness,” Krieg said. “He’s always trying to make himself better everyday. He doesn’t ever take days off. He’s always competing to be the best on the ice every day, which shows over the last four years with the success he’s had. “
The Tommies have junior Joe Morris and sophomore Tim Shaughnessy returning next season to tend the Tommie net. Boeser will miss Fielding and all of the graduating seniors but said the team will keep moving forward.
“As much as we’re going to miss him, we have no control over that. We’ve just got to move on and hope that the next guy that comes in does an equally good of a job,” Boeser said.
Jordan Kruger can be reached at krug6172@stthomas.edu.