Jake Hildebrand

Classroom

Jake Hildebrand is a two-time All-Academic Big Ten honoree with a 3.10 GPA in communications.

Character

Hildebrand is a hard-working, dedicated teammate. He is looked upon as a leader by his teammates and is perhaps the most respected player on the team because of his combination of competitive drive, skill, likability and dedication to everything team. He is always one of the first players to get on the ice and one of the last to leave, typically spending time on an exercise bike after both practices and games.

Community

Hildebrand is involved in all of the team’s community-based initiatives. He has participated in Accessible Trick-or-Treating each of the last two years, Teams for Toys (wrapping toys for underprivileged local families) and the team’s annual food drive. Earlier this fall, he was one of several players to participate in sled hockey with the MSU accessible intramural program and the Grand Rapids Sled Wings, a sled hockey team, on a Sunday morning. He will continue to be involved, and likely lead, in the team’s community outreach events this year.

Competition

This season, Hildebrand ranks second in the Big Ten in save percentage (.905) in conference play and also leads the Big Ten with three shutouts. He has made 30 or mores saves in 14 games this season. Now alone in third place on MSU’s all-time shutout list with 13. Hildebrand ranks second in MSU history in games played and saves. He was a 2015 first-team All-American. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year. He was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, which goes to the nation’s top goaltender. He was voted team MVP for the third consecutive season, becoming just the fourth player in program history to do so. His six shutouts were tied for second in the nation. He became the first goaltender since Jeff Lerg in 2006-07 to start every game and the first MSU goalie since 1959-60 to play every minute of every game. As a sophomore, he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. He currently ranks in the top-three in program history in total saves and top five in career shutouts. He allowed two or fewer goals in 20 of 35 games as a junior last season.