After falling one game short of a national championship berth as a 19 year-old Humboldt Bronco, Saskatoon product Matt Hrynkiw has his ring south of the border.

The now 24 year-old netminder is a member of the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks who claimed their eighth national title on Saturday in Tampa, Florida with a 5-1 win over Quinnipiac University.

The 2012-13 Canadian Junior Hockey League Goaltender of the Year said it's been a whirlwind couple weeks.

"It's really only two weekends of actual play and all single elimination games against the best teams in the country but it was the ultimate goal of our team. Every year I have been here it's that we're going to win a national title and we were able to pull through this year and really put on quite a performance especially in the final."

The championship didn't come to Hrynkiw overnight, he has been a member of the UND squad since he graduated from Humboldt but never saw any game action until this season when starter Cam Johnson went down with an injury.

"There's moments that I will carry with for the rest of my life. You get 13,000 people jumping up and down, I really can't put words to it. It's been quite a ride and to see this team finish the job this year it's been pretty special."

Hrynkiw won 10 games this season, he was 10-2-2 overall with a save percentage of .910. His goals against was a stellar 2.13.

Hockey is only the start for the Mechanical Engineering student, he has a full work load of classes on top of the rigorous season schedule.

"You put so much time into everything here, the longest of days and sometimes it's an absolute grind but I will always remember that night. Multiple little moments and interactions with teammates, those will be memories for life, no question about it."

Hrynkiw isn't planning on soaking it in much longer as he gets back into the swing of the classes. Much like his perseverance on the ice, he is just as devoted in the classroom which is why he won't be around to play a fifth season. Once the next UND season rolls around he will be in his final campaign of a half decade program for most, something he is overjoyed with.

"Just with how the classes lay out so if I can get that done in four,  I am on pace to at this point that will be something I am truly proud of as well as doing hockey."

Hrynkiw was joined on UND's team by former Weyburn Red Wing Coltyn Sanderson as well as Moose Jaw's Rhett Gardner who played for the Okotoks Oilers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

You can hear more from Hrynkiw in his interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork below.