EAST LANSING, Mich. — Precedent has been set. Jake Hildebrand only hopes he can match it.

The Center Township resident and Michigan State University freshman hockey goaltender recently received the Spartans’ Outstanding Rookie Award and team Most Valuable Player honors.

Only once before has a Spartan hockey player taken home both awards. Ron Scott, also a goalie, did so in 1981. He went on to play 16 games over four years with the New York Rangers despite never being drafted by an NHL team.

Hildebrand turns 20 on June 19 and is in his last year of draft eligibility. He spent three seasons in the United States Hockey League before accepting a scholarship to Michigan State.

“I’m hopeful that something happens,” Hildebrand said of the draft. “You hope for the best and sometimes it’s better if you’re not drafted.

“You have more options as a free agent. Maybe I can sign with an organization that really needs a goalie.”

This year’s NHL Draft is June 30 at the Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils.

“Jake is going to make money playing this game. It’s just a matter of how much,” said Shane Clifford, Hildebrand’s longtime goaltending coach. “Someone’s going to give him a chance.

“He could get drafted this year. If not, he’ll have a lot to offer as a free agent this year and time is on his side.”

Hildebrand’s resume isn’t bad. He ranked 14th nationally this season — fourth in the CCHA — with a .928 save percentage. He had a 2.35 goals-against average with two shutouts, stopping 843 of 908 shots he faced with the Spartans.

Michigan State finished the season 14-26-3. Hildebrand was 9-17-2.

“Our biggest problem this year was inexperience,” he said. “We lost nine seniors the year before and I was one of 11 freshmen on the team this season.

“Still, we’re very skilled and with a lot of potential. We beat Alaska-Fairbanks in the first round of our conference tournament and shut out top-ranked Miami of Ohio before getting knocked out.”

Hildebrand was in goal for that 2-0 win over Miami. When he arrived at MSU, the team had a veteran netminder in junior Will Yanakeff.

Yanakeff played 15 games this season with a 3.06 GAA. Hildebrand played 29 games.

“I didn’t expect much playing time. It just worked out that way,” Hildebrand said. “Will and I have a really good relationship. We’re competitive on the ice and help each other off the ice.”

While he’s hopeful of a pro hockey career, Hildebrand also has collegiate goals in mind, such as winning a conference and national championship.

“Each new level you reach in hockey, the players are faster, bigger, stronger and the game itself picks up speed,” he said. “Your skills as a goalie have to adapt accordingly.”

According to Clifford, Hildebrand has no problems in that regard.

“Technically, he’s good. Mentally, he’s excellent,” Clifford said. “Jake has the mentality to succeed at the highest level.

“He can let in a bad goal — all goalies do at some point — then stop the next 60 shots. Bad plays roll off his back and out of his mind.”

Clifford has been working with Hildebrand for years, well before he left home four years ago to play for Sioux City (Iowa) in the USHL.

“From the first day I’ve worked with him, Jake has been all in,” Clifford said. “He spends two and a half hours a day in the gym. He’ll accept nothing short of the best from himself.

“He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen, on and off the ice. Like I said ... all in.”

Hildebrand was a finalist for CCHA Rookie of the Year this season, though he did not win the award.

He’s got plenty of hockey in front of him, however, whether he lands in the NHL or not.

“Just keep getting better,” Hildebrand said. “That’s all I want to do.”