If you've been keeping track, I've correctly named the past three Hobey Baker Memorial Award recipients well in advance, but this year...it's a lot more difficult.
Previously, it was easy to pick a top three or four and then there was a huge drop off where the rest of the finalists were lucky just to be nominated. This go around, there are going to be quality players - who might have cracked the Hobey Hat Trick in previous years - left out of the Top Ten.
Since the finalists aren't announced until next Thursday, each player's individual success and contributions to their team during the conference playoffs this weekend will likely weigh heavily on the selection committee. There's just no other way to create separation among the pack than to see who comes through in the clutch.
It's easy to just look at stats and select the finalists from there, but even that is a pretty tight race.
Leading the way is Andy Miele - a senior UFA from Miami - who has 19 goals, 42 assists for 61 points in 34 games. To say he's having a career year is an understatement as he's averaging close to 2 points per game.
Paul Zanette, a senior free agent from Niagara, has more points in this season than he had in the previous three seasons combined. He's got 29 goals with 26 assists for 55 points in 35 games. The only thing hurting his chances in the Hobey race is that the Purple Eagles play in the Atlantic Hockey Association - the least competitive league in the country (the highest AHA team in the PairWise is tied for 26th). In the eyes of voters, points against top tier opponents are worth more and only two of Zanette's 55 points have come against ranked opponents.
Right behind him is Jack Connolly, a junior UFA from Minnesota-Duluth, with 13 goals and 38 assists for 51 points in 35 games. He is one of the main cogs in Duluth's success this season as well as the previous two.
Then, there's Carter Camper, another senior UFA from Miami, who has averaged more than 40 points his first three seasons as a RedHawk and he's bumped that average with 17 goals and 33 assists for 50 points so far this season.
Matt Frattin, a Toronto draft pick and senior at North Dakota, is next with 29 goals and 20 assists for 49 points in 37 games. Like Zanette, Frattin has really come into his own this year and it all stems from a new attitude after being kicked off the team last year and earning his way back and playing better than ever.
Along with him is Paul Thompson - a senior UFA from New Hampshire - with 26 goals and 23 assists for 49 points in 34 games.
Then there, Chase Polacek, a senior UFA from Rensselaer, who continued his success from last year with 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points in 37 games. Hurting his chances is the quick exit of the Engineers in the first round of the ECAC tournament which will adversely effect their ability to earn an invitation to the NCAA tournament.
Cam Atkinson, a Columbus draft pick and junior at Boston College, is next with 27 goals and 20 assists for 47 points in 34 games...then Justin Fontaine and TJ Tynan - the first freshman on the list - and Justin Schultz - the first defenseman on the list - and Gustav Nyquist - part of last year's Hobey Hat Trick - who are all sitting at 46 points and coming around on the outside is Stephane Da Costa who is averaging 1.3 points a game and would be right up with these guys in point totals if he hadn't sprained his MCL and sat out six games....and that's just the skaters!
The goalies are lead by Keith Kinkaid, a sophomore UFA from Union, who leads in country in minutes plaid (2015), Goals against (1.94) and wins (24). He is, without question, the backbone of his team and a big reason why they have been able to find such success this season.
Aaron Dell, a sophomore UFA from North Dakota, is thisclose behind him with a 1.95 GAA, .919 save percentage and 24 wins. Then, Ryan Rondeau, a senior UFA from Yale who has solidified himself as the number one goaltender for the Bulldogs with 22 wins, a 1.97 GAA and .928 save percentage after playing just 14 games the previous three season combined. And you can't forget, John Muse, a senior UFA from Boston College, with 23 wins, a 2.08 GAA and a .927 save percentage who's won two national titles and never lost a game in the NCAA tournament.
Choosing a Top Ten this year not to mention a winner will be like splitting hairs. There are a number of players who are deserving of being named the best player of the year, but there can only be one Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner.
It's at this point where I think it's important to review the criteria of the award named for a man who many argue was the best amateur athlete of his time, known for his charisma, character and leadership almost more so than his academic or athletic accomplishments.
Hobey Baker Award Criteria
1. Candidates must exhibit strength of character both on and off the ice.
2. Candidates must contribute to the integrity of the team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game.
3. Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportmanship.
4. Candidates must comply with all NCAA rules: be full time students in an accredited NCAA college or university; and complete 50% or more of the season.
It is here where I think the separation will be made and once the ten finalists I'll split the hairs for you, but for now, as tight as this race is, I think it will come down to two players, Andy Miele and Matt Frattin with the rest of the finalists composed of the players mentioned above, but there is no doubt that things can change on a game by game basis this year's Hobey Race....stay tuned!
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As a side note...isn't it interesting to see that only 4 of the 17 players I mentioned were drafted by NHL teams?
Julie
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@JulieRobenhymer
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