Benilde-St. Margaret's Boys' Hockey

Former Benilde-St. Margaret's goaltender Michael Shibrowski has signed a National Letter of Intent and will play for the University of Minnesota in 2011-12.

A two-time all-conference netminder for the Red Knights and an honorable mention all-state selection in 2007-08, Shibrowski will join former BSM teammate Chris Student with the Gophers next season.

"We're proud to see Michael moving on," Red Knight head coach Ken Pauly said. "He has continued to improve every year, at every level he has played, and Minnesota is getting not only a great player but an exceptional individual."

After starting his junior hockey career with the Owatonna Express of the North American Hockey League during the 2009-10 season, Shibrowski joined Colorado College midway through the season.

He  returned to the junior hockey ranks with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League this past season, leading the team a 29-win season while earning team most valuable player honors.

"Our organization is very happy for Michael," Des Moines coach Reg Simon said. "His ability speaks for itself, but it is his character that sets him above nearly every other player I’ve ever coached."

With the Bucs this season, he appeared in 45 games, compling a 21-16-5 record with a 2.59 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

Along with team MVP honors, he also received the Fan Favorite Award and the Bob McCorkle Award for sportsmanship and dedication.

"Michael was a key part of changing the culture in Des Moines this past season," Simon said. "The way he conducted himself and prepared each day is why he was such a good leader for our team."

Shibrowski concluded his career at BSM as the school's all-time leader in goals against average and is in the top 10 of all of the Red Knights goaltending categories.