MIAC Athlete of the Week Release

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's hockey coach Bill Moore had the luxury of watching a stable-full of offensive weapons light up the scoreboard during the Cardinals' conference-opening sweep of Bethel last weekend.
 
But no one was more impressive than junior Martin Gruse (Trenton, Mich.).
 
Gruse—a Second-Team All-American a year ago—had a hand in seven of the Cardinals' 19 goals in Saint Mary's 10-2, 9-1 sweep of the Royals.
 
Monday afternoon, Gruse was rewarded for his efforts, as he was named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week, the league office announced.
 
Gruse made his presence felt in both conference games against Bethel, scoring once and assisting on three others in Friday's 10-2 victory, before adding a goal and two assists in front of the home crowd in Saturday's 9-1 sweep-clinching win.
 
Gruse has picked up right where he left off a year ago—when he totaled 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points—recording at least one point in all six of the Cardinals' games this season.
 
The junior forward—who leads the team in both assists (8) and points (11) through six games—matched his career highs with his three-assist, four-point effort against Bethel last Friday. The four-point night also marked the second time in five meetings with the Royals that Gruse has posted four points in a game—he scored four goals vs. Bethel on Jan. 17, 2015.
 
The Cardinals (2-0-0 MIAC, 3-2-1 overall) hit the road on Friday, heading to the Northfield (Minn.) Ice Arena for a 7:30 p.m. conference showdown with St. Olaf. The two teams will then return to the Saint Mary's Ice Arena for a 7 p.m. rematch the following day.