Tag Archives: Adam Gaudette

Hobey Baker Award Finalists

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March is here, therefore it is time to announce the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in College Hockey.  Before I list the ten finalists, I think it is important to clarify what it means to be the best player in all of college hockey, and how Hobey Baker’s legacy stands today.

Hobey Baker

Today, Hobey Baker, is synonymous with the award sharing his name.  However, not many fans know much about him.  It is easy to just assume Hobey Baker’s skill at the game is why the award is named after him.  It is basically an “MVP Award” for college hockey.  In many ways that is true.  However, Hobey Baker is also one of the most tremendous athletes in American history.  Hobey Baker is one of the United States’ first great hockey players.  Playing at the legendary St. Paul’s School in Concord New Hampshire, Baker represented the team with poise and class.  Hobey Baker’s game was speed, endurance, and stickhandling.  These traits led him to Princeton.

Baker’s fame on campus matches was that of Jack Eichel at Boston University.  Throughout all this, Hobey Baker never let the fame go to his head.  Not to mention being named the, “King of Hockey.”  He stayed true to himself as a humble gentlemen.  His fame and gentlemanly persona made him a target by opposing teams.  Many players, Wayne Gretzky especially, faced similar obstacles.  Nonetheless, Hobey Baker always went to opposing locker rooms to shake hands with other players.

Finalists

There is not much controversy regarding this season’s Hobey Baker Award Finalists.  In alphabetical order the finalists are, Henrik Borgström (Denver), Ryan Donato (Harvard), Matthew Galajda (Cornell), Adam Gaudette (Northeastern), Dylan McLaughlin (Canisius), Cale Morris (Notre Dame), Colton Point (Colgate), Jimmy Schuldt (St. Cloud State), Dylan Sikura (Northeastern) and CJ Suess (Minnesota State).

The way the voting process takes place is the 60 head coaches of Division 1 teams vote, as well as online voting.  This is the beginning of the voting process.  Now, the member selection committee and more online voting ends the process.  The winner is announced during the Frozen Four, on April 6th.  Last season, the honor went to Will Butcher of Denver, currently part of the New Jersey Devils organization.

It is hard to pick a winner of such a prestigious award.  Most Hobey Baker Award winners go on to great success.  Not just in the NHL, but throughout the entire hockey world.  These winners also go on to great financial success, just look at Johnny Gaudreau.  In my mind, I believe this award should belong to Adam Gaudette.  Although Dylan Sikura contributes exceptionally to the Huskies success this season.  Gaudette is the face of the team.  A new Beanpot legend, if Gaudette adds the Hobey Baker Award to his trophy shelf his future knows no bounds.  Even if he does not win the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, his future is bright.  But this could mean so much for his career with the Canucks.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Cover Image courtesy of WCHA.com.

Northeastern Huskies Beanpot Champions

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“For the first time in 30 years, the Northeastern Huskies are college hockey’s Beanpot champions. Can you believe it?” – Joe Castigilione, probably.

David Versus Goliath

For as often as this biblical phrase is part of sentences, it truly fits the Huskies and Terriers rivalry. From a historical standpoint alone, Boston University is the favorite to win the Beanpot every season. After all, thirty Beanpot Championship trophies and banners in their trophy case back that up. Not to mention their incredibly hot goalie, Jake Oettinger, and their nine game unbeaten streak coming into the game, Boston University is in familiar waters. On the other hand, 2018 is a different season.

As I stated in the previous Beanpot article, Northeastern is the favorite this year. The number 12 ranked Northeastern Huskies came into the Garden, the favorites to win it all. At the present time, Matthews’ Arena is home to one of, if not the, best lines in all of College Hockey. Right wing Dylan Sikura, center Adam Gaudette, and left wing Nolan Stevens are making what is most likely their last season together a memorable one. To say nothing of Cayden Primeau, who carriers a 1.97 GAA, and a .925 SV%. Northeastern’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are keeping the Dog House rocking all season long. Stevens, Gaudette, and Sikura put 61 goals in the net this season. This is no cakewalk for the Terriers.0 BU is also hurt by the absence of Jordan Greenway who looks to become an American hero in the Olympics this year.

The Game

“I am sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Terriers have. Screw ‘em! This is our time.  Let’s go out there and take it!” – Jim Madigan’s pregame speech, probably.

In what was one of the most entertaining open periods in college hockey history, the 2018 Beanpot did not disappoint. BU immediately took the lead. While the first Terrier goal did not count due to goaltender interference, Boston University quickly scored again. Cayden Primeau wass kicking himself after sending the puck into his own net. Logan Cockerill was credited with the goal.  As a result, Northeastern jacked it up a notch, as Nolan Stevens took advantage of a BU penalty. Throughout the game Primeau stood tall, making 38 saves in the contest. Adam Gaudette will live forever in Beanpot legend as his hat-trick was the difference maker in this one. Gaudette also continued to write Northeastern history as he became the all-time school leader in power play goals.

Jim Madigan obviously understands the importance of the Beanpot. He is a Huskie through and through, from a player to a coach. After the game, Coach Madigan’s quote embodies this, “The first thing I thought about was ‘Hey we’re finally over the hump’’’. For now, Northeastern is the best college hockey program in Boston. While that itself is impressive, they know the season is not over, and they want to continue to make history.

http://northeasternhockeyblog.com/game-day/beanpot-round-harvard-northeastern-preview-boston-college-boston-university-1988-drought/

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter:  @MickGurn

 

Cover image courtesy of The Boston Globe.