Tag Archives: Hobey Baker

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 is a Team to Recognize

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The Northeastern Huskies are a team looking to take no prisoners in the college world. After sweeping UMaine this past weekend, the Huskies are one point shy of Boston College for first place in Hockey East. The Huskies are led by Hockey East Player of the Week, and NCAA Scoring Leader, Adam Gaudette. The Braintree native’s seventeen goals, and eighteen assists add up to be the most in the NCAA. Gaduette’s hat trick against UMass Lowell earlier in the season was a thing of beauty. The Vancouver Canucks’ prospect is someone to keep an eye on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OvwCJJK8o

This Season

Head Coach Jim Madigan has led the Huskies to an overall record of 14-5-3, and a Hockey East Record of 10-3-1. Northeastern is putting the rest of the college hockey world on notice, coming in at #8 in the NCAA. Notre Dame has to keep up their pace with Northeastern firing on all cylinders. However Northeastern cannot let up. They have an important series against Providence College on the horizon. The Friars look like they are beginning to hit their stride.

Again, Adam Gaudette has been nothing short of spectacular this season. If Gaudette lights the lamp similarly as he has done all season, he will be a favorite for the Hobey Baker Award. In a similar manner there is another Husky up for the Hobey Baker Award that cannot be overlooked. Senior Dylan Sikura also has eighteen assists this season and twelve goals. Sikura comes in with thirty points on the year. The Chicago prospect is coming off his best season in which he scored twenty-one goals, tallied thirty-six assists, and ended with fifty-seven total points. If he continues to improve in his senior season, he’ll be looking like a steal for Chicago.

Of course, the Huskies are getting a big boost behind the play in net of freshman Cayden Primeau. The Montreal 7th round Pick has a GAA of 2.03 and a SV% of .920. He has one shutout this season. Primeau had a season high 33 saves against the high-powered offense of the Boston University Terriers. Primeau looks like he can sew the wounds of Jon Gilles being lured away from Northeastern to Providence College.

Going Forward

The Northeastern Huskies’ break out season has been a long time coming. After making it to the NCAA postseason just once since Jim Madigan took over, a disappointing era of Northeastern Hockey could be coming to an end. Furthermore, the Huskies are ready to take over the top spot in Hockey East from the struggling Boston College Eagles. Last season Northeastern made it to the Hockey East Quarter Finals, and want more.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn