Schultz Named Hobey Baker Top 10 Finalist

Editors Note: Apologize for being behind but I'm still playing catch up from the Final Five.

As one should after putting up a 47 point season playing defense, Wisconsin sophomore defenseman Justin Schultz has been named as a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as named by the Hobey Baker committee last Thursday.

Already named as a First Team All-WCHA performer as well as the WCHA Defensive player of the year, Schultz now has Hobey Finalist to add to his already impressive resume. The West Kelowna, British Columbia native led all defensemen in scoring by 7 points. Schultz's 18 goals this season are the most for a defenseman in NCAA hockey since 2002-2003.

Schultz becomes the fourth Badger to be a top 10 Hobey Baker finalist in the past 3 seasons. In 2009, current Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jamie McBain was a finalist and last season Nashville Predators forward Blake Geoffrion and Detroit Redwings prospect Brendan Smith made the final 10. Geoffrion went on to win the award, becoming the first player in Wisconsin history to do so.

Besides Schultz, Matt Frattin from the University of North Dakota and Jack Connolly from the University of Minnesota Duluth were other members of the WCHA who were named finalists. The other seven were Cam Atkinson from Boston College, Carter Camper and Andy Meile from Miami, Gustav Nyquist from Maine, Chase Polacek from RPI, Paul Thompson from the University of New Hampshire and Niagara's Paul Zanette.

Wisconsin Top 10 Hobey Baker Finalists:
2011-Justin Schultz-Defense
2010-Blake Geoffrion-Forward (Won)
2010-Brendan Smith-Defense
2009-Jamie McBaine-Defense
2006-Brian Elliott-Goaltender
2001-Dany Heatley-Forward
2000-Steven Reinprecht-Forward
1992-Duane Durksen-Goaltender
1988-Paul Ranheim-Forward
1988-Tony Granato-Forward

Wisconsin to honor Blake Geoffrion Friday

Like the headline indicates, Friday night the University of Wisconsin and it's men's hockey program will honor 2010 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner Blake Geoffrion.

There will be a poster giveaway on both Friday and Saturday night courtesy of Suttle Straus. Gates will open on Friday night at 6 PM and Blake will be signing autographs from 6 to 6:30 by section 111 in the Kohl Center concourse.

Geoffrion was the first Wisconsin player to ever win the award. The Brentwood, TN native finished the season with 28 goals and 50 points. A two year captain, Geoffrion capped his career at Wisconsin when he led the Badgers to the 2010 Frozen Four in Detroit.

A second round draft pick of his hometown Nashville Predators, Geoffrion is currently skating for their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. Geoffrion currently has 13 points in 25 games for the Admirals. He missed about a month in November with a concussion but is back to full strength and has 7 points in his past 13 games.

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He's Hobey Baker: Blake Geoffrion

From Gandalf's Ode:

Some call him Boom Boom or Bam Bam, but for such an astute young man of character, he’s our leader: Captain Asskicker.

And now he has another name: Hobey Baker.

For quite some time now, Gandalf and I have been telling everyone who will listen that Geoffrion is the best complete hockey player in college hockey. And I'm glad the Hobey Baker committee saw that as well and has finally deigned to honor a Badger. As much as we all think Steve Reinprecht and Brian Elliott were robbed (not to mention Gary Shuchuk, who somehow ridiculously didn't even make the top 10, let alone the top 3), it seems somewhat fitting that our current captain is the first Badger recipient. As I said earlier, there seems to be a bit of an air of destiny around Geoffrion, and so he's become our first Badger Hobey.

Congratulations to Blake for this well-deserved honor.

My Vote For The Hobey: Brendan Smith

First of all, my apologies to Blake Geoffrion. A very deserving player and a great Badger captain.

With that said, in my opinion, Brendan Smith is the choice for this seasons Hobey Baker Memorial Award. The Junior defenseman has put together one of the best years for any defenseman in recent memory. Smith is the first Badger defenseman since Barry Richter in 1993 to eclipse the 40 point plateau.

The Mimico, Ontario native has put together a line of 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points in 38 games. That's 1.18 points per game from the blueline. He's first in scoring among all defensemen in the country and 10th in the country in assists. His over-all point totals are good enough for 19th in the nation among all skaters.

There can be a case made for a lot of the other 9 finalist for this years Hobey, and that's the problem. All the players are great, but other than Smith, no one stands out at their position.

Looking at the goalies, there is a strong case for all three goaltenders Marc Cheverie from Denver, Ben Scrivens from Cornell, and Cody Reichard from Miami. But you can't honestly tell me that one of them is hands down better than the other. So you can basically eliminate the goalies from consideration.

When you look at the forwards, how do you differentiate between Bobby Butler from UNH, Blake Geoffrion from Wisconsin, Gustav Nyquist from Maine, Mark Olver from Northern Michigan, Chase Polacek from RPI, and Rhett Rahkshani from Denver? You really can't. It's a pretty blah group overall.

Looking at the defensemen, you have a clear cut, hands down favorite in Brendan Smith. There isn't even a defenseman in consideration this season. Currently there isn't even another defenseman in the top 50 in scoring in the country. Smith's next closest competitor nationally is 10 ponits back. In the WCHA, the next closest defenseman is an insaine 17 points back of Smith. Last year, when Boston University defenseman Matt Gilroy won the Hobey, he finished the season with 37 points, only .822 per game. And here sits Smith with 45 points, 1.18 per game.

You want another incredible statistic? No defenseman besides Smith has scored more than 42 points since Matt Carle had 53 in 2006. And yes, Carle won the Hobey that season, over Wisconsin goaltender Brian Elliott.

Smith has taken great strides in his defensive game as well. When he came to Wisconsin he was a flat out liability in his own end. He's worked his ass off and he plays considerable minutes, including time on the penalty kill. The unit of Smith and freshman John Ramage has actually been one of our most consistent units all season long.

On the power play Smith has become an absolute assassin. His 11 power play goals are good enough for sixth overall in the country. The WCHA defenseman of the year has found a niche spotting up on the the top of the circles and unleashing one of the best cannons around. His two power play goals in the last 5 minutes of the game against Michigan in the Camp Randall Hockey Classic clinched a clutch, must needed victory for the Badgers.

In my honest opinion there isn't a clear cut decision for the Hobey or even a clear cut top 3 besides Smith. Nyquist is the leading scorer in the country but his team didn't even make the NCAA tournament and the Hobey voters tend to favor players in the tournament. So that's my two cents. Commence the ripping in the comment section.

Photo by RedHeat15

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Geoffrion, Smith Named Hobey Baker Finalists

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation have announced their top ten finalists for the 2010 Hobey Baker. I'm happy to let you guys know that Blake Geoffrion (aka Bamm Bamm, aka Captain Kickass, aka Captain Asskicker) and Brendan Smith (aka Smitty, aka I Don't Have Blake's Cool Nicknames) are among the ten. Both are absolutely deserving of the honor, and I could picture either one of them taking it home. For all the intangibles he's brought to UW this year, I'd have to side with my fellow bloggers and say that my vote would be for Geoffrion.

Either way, a huge congratulations to both Badgers, as they have represented themselves, their school and their fans with pride this season. Way to go, fellas!

The Hobey Top Ten (alphabetically):

Bobby Butler (New Hampshire, F, Sr)
Marc Cheverie (Denver, G, Jr)
Blake Geoffrion (Wisconsin, F, Sr)
Gustav Nyquist (Maine, F, So)
Mark Olver (Northern Michigan, F, Jr)
Chase Polacek (RPI, F, Jr)
Rhett Rakhshani (Denver, F, Sr)
Cody Reichard (Miami, G, So)
Ben Scrivens (Cornell, G, Sr)
Brendan Smith (Wisconsin, D, Jr)

The blurbs on the Badgers from the official release:

Blake Geoffrion – University of Wisconsin, Senior, Forward, Brentwood, Tennessee
The second-year captain has been especially strong in WCHA play. Geoffrion leads the conference in goals with 19, power play goals with 11 and is second in points with 34, all good enough to garner First Team all-star honors. He has an amazing 23% shooting percentage and is a great penalty killer. He’s a Consumer Science major.
• His dad Danny, granddad Bernie “Boom Boom” and great grandpa Howie Morenz all played for Montreal Canadiens – Boomer and Howie are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame and have 9 Stanley Cups between them
• Has 23 goals and 18 assists for 41 points in 34 games – Nashville draft pick

Brendan Smith – University of Wisconsin, Junior, Defenseman, Mimico, Ontario
The lone defenseman in the top ten happens to be 19th overall in the nation in scoring while topping all defensemen in college hockey. He helped lead the high-scoring Badgers to number two in the nation in offense and earned Smith First Team WCHA and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
• Has 15 goals and 29 assists for 44 points in 36 games – 11 power play goals
• Detroit draft pick – Sociology major
• Topped the WCHA in points, goals and assists by a defensemen

Geoffrion wins the Hobey or it shouldn't be awarded

Props to HockeyFan for the great pic!

The time for unbiased news on Badger Hockey is over (ok so we’ve called out Patrick Johnson most of the season, so maybe that isn’t true already). I’m throwing my 1/5 of the blog’s support behind Blake Geoffrion for the Hobey Baker! I’m just going to safely assume 60 is w/ me on this one, so we are up to a 40% endorsement here. Anyone else want to join us?

Sorry Brendan Smith, you might be the favorite, as far as Badgers go, right now for the Hobey, but I have to go w/ Captain Asskicker for Hobey!

The Kick Ass Captain is having by far his best season in the Cardinal and White, and looking at the long list of potential candidates for the Hobey, he has something that most of the others don’t (Rhett Rahkshani of Denver being an exception) and that is leadership. His stats are right up there w/ forwards across the country, and this is despite missing a chance to rake it up against Tech a few weeks back due to a concussion caused by the cowardly head shot from dress wearing Aaron Marvin.

Leadership is not something one can quantify on a stat sheet, but even to the casual fan it is obvious that Blake Geoffrion is the heart and soul of the Badgers this season. He is a presence on the ice and long will the exploits of #5 be remembered in the Kohl Center. He is the warrior king who fights hard for his teammates in the corner and in front of the net, but is also the diplomat with the officials to ask them why they are such morons and blow so many obvious calls. The skates he has to fill are of titanic proportions, but he never shies away from the challenges, and he accepts his responsibilities with pride, and his hard work shines through as he honors the jersey worn by the greats who have come before him, whose company he is now and forever will be a part of.

Captain Asskicker’s senior year was a blessing to Badger fans everywhere, as most could not believe that he’d return. Thank you Blake Geoffrion for four years of service to Wisconsin Hockey: the team and its fans. It is time for you to guide this team home, home to the Kohl Center on April 11th with National Championship #7 in your hands after weathering six of the toughest games you and your teammates will have endured all season.

Grandfather Boom Boom has to be beaming with pride for his grandson as he watches his success between games of pick up hockey in Heaven.

Brendan Smith For Hobey?

Wow.

That is the only word I can use to describe Brendan Smith's third period yesterday afternoon. I know I said before that I didn't think Brendan deserved the Hobey. He's doing a really good job right now of making me second guess that statement.

This guy has established himself as THE premier offensive defenseman in the entire country. His 33 points lead all defensemen. He's 14th overall among all skaters in points per game at 1.27 points per game.

Will it be enough? We shall see. But I think he officially submitted his name for consideration last night.

Photo by RedHeat15

Wisconsins's Hobey Baker Chances

As the season progresses, the more and more talk there will be about the prospective 2010 Hobey Baker candidates. In my opinion the Hobey is a bit harder to judge than it's counterpart the Heisman trophy. The lack of television and publicity in the sport makes voting a very in-exact science.

Outstanding college hockey writer Elliot Olshansky has a piece out briefly identifying some of the favorites to contend for this seasons Hobey Baker. His focus in the piece is how many of the candidates are also flanked by another candidate from their own team.

Olshansky spends a good amount of time in the article talking about the chances a Wisconsin Badger could win the award.

"Perhaps the only easy group to pick a player out of is the crew from Wiscsonsin. Yes, (Derek) Stepan has been on a roll since returning from the World Junior Championship, with seven points in four games, to say nothing of (Michael) Davies, whose seven-game point streak has seen him score six goals and notch nine assists. (Brendan) Smith, however, remains the most remarkable of the bunch. His 1.30 points per game average is just a hair off of Matt Carle’s 1.36 clip during his Hobey Baker season, and that was accomplished on a team that didn’t make the NCAA tournament. Think Smith can make a run at the Hobey on a team that’s currently No. 2 in the nation? Also, he’s the only of the Badgers’ potential Hobey candidates whose goal total wouldn’t be an issue."

So basically Olshansky has identified Brendan Smith, Derek Stepan, and Michael Davies as the three Badger candidates for the Hobey, with Smith having the best shot out of the bunch.

I don't necessarily have a problem with the players he has identified, but to name those three and leave off senior captain Blake Geoffrion is a severe injustice in my humble opinion. Geoffrion is not far off of the other three in point totals and he has the added duties of being the leader of the number two team in the country. He is also third in the country in goals scored.

I think the biggest thing that makes me shake my head is the fact that national media outlets are pegging Brendan Smith as one of, if not the favorite to win the award. Inside College Hockey last week released their first installment of the Hobey Tracker and list Smith as one of the top 3 current candidates. Olshansky pegged Smith as his favorite to win the award, "Overall, while his scoring has faded a tad in recent weeks, Smith has the look of a Hobey winner more than anyone else in the race at the moment."

Really? The problem I have is that Smith is not the best player at his position on his own team, let alone the top player in the entire country. And this is no knock on Smith. He absolutely deserves the recognition and deserves to be talked about in the race, but Ryan McDonagh is a much more sound hockey player at this point. And that is the current problem with the Hobey Baker. Columnists and voters simply base voting on point totals without ever seeing a player play.

To be honest, I don't see any Badger winning the award this season. We have four outstanding candidates but we don't have the one outstanding player like we did when Elliott and Reinprecht were finalists. But I think if you ask any of the players I've mentioned, they would all agree that the goal is the National Title, not the Hobey Baker. The gentlemen that we have in our locker room have their eyes on the real prize.

McLinkorama

So, McBain's gone; just waiting for an official announcement. Yesterday's Raleigh News & Observer blog post indicates that McBain will join the AHL's Albany River Rats for the rest of the season.

On Tuesday, Chuck chastised me a bit (and understandably so) for not posting McBain's making the Hobey Top 10. And so I thought I'd better try to make amends (I'm sorry, Jamie!) by linking things up. By the way, McBain is the 8th Badger to be named a Hobey Top 10 finalist, and he's the only WCHA player among this year's Hobey Top 10.

hobeybaker: Hobey Baker Award Announces Top Ten Finalists
uwbadgers: McBain WCHA Player of the Year, Hobey Finalist; Gardiner honored
Baggot (WSJ): McBain named WCHA's best, Hobey finalist

And of course uwbadgers still has their McBain for the Hobey page, which includes a pdf flyer, a couple of video interviews, and some other features, but inexplicably doesn't include his highlight video.

Just last week, McBain was profiled on a couple of sites. I think you'll enjoy this player profile on the Carolina Hurricane's site, as it's quite complimentary. Here are some quotes.

“He skates very well and he shoots the puck very well, and we don’t think he’s too far away from being able to step in and certainly play at the American League level, if not the NHL level, in the very near future,” said MacDonald. “He’s a junior now, and whether or not he needs another year of competition at the college level is debatable. He might be ready to make the next step now, and he probably is.”

“He’s probably what you’d consider a man among boys at this point in college,” said Jason Karmanos, the Hurricanes’ vice president and assistant general manager. “He’s got an extremely high skill level as evidenced by his production this year, and we don’t think he’s too far off. He’s a guy that plays in all situations, he’s got good size, skates well and handles the puck very well. He has all the tools he needs and just needs to concentrate on getting his body better conditioned for the NHL level.”

“He’ll be no less than a solid two-way guy, if not an offensive contributor, in the NHL,” said MacDonald. “I think he’ll be able to play on the power play at the National Hockey League level.”

“We have high hopes for him,” said Karmanos. “As far as a guy with the tools and the physical package to be a player at this level, he’s right at the top of the list.”

Bruce Ciskie also profiled McBain over on Fanhouse.

There isn't much McBain doesn't do well. He moves the puck exceptionally well, anchoring a power play ranked fourth in the WCHA and tied for twelfth in the nation. He has a big shot, and he is greatly improved as a defensive player from even earlier this season.

And at the beginning of this month, Hockey's Future's Hurricanes Top 20 Prospects (Spring 2009) listed McBain at #4.

4. (4) Jamie McBain, D, 21, 7.5B
Acquired 2nd round, 63rd overall, 2006

McBain has taken his game to new levels in his junior season at the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers defenseman is college hockey’s top scoring blueliner and a Hobey Baker award candidate. His 34 points through 34 games leads all Wisconsin players in scoring, and his 27 assists are tied for 10th in the NCAA. The 6’2, 197-pound defenseman showed a mix of size and skill during Carolina’s summer rookie camp, and his maturation into a point-producer at the college level bodes well for him and the Hurricanes. McBain — who is coached by Mike Eaves, the father of current Canes forward Patrick Eaves — could skip his final year of eligibility with the Badgers, but a logjam at defense means his arrival in Raleigh could come in 2010-11 unless the organization makes room for him.

Good luck in the Hobey hunt, Jamie, and best of luck as well with the 'Canes.

(Photo from uwbadgers.com)

The case against McBain for Hobey is flawed

As crazy as this may sound to the casual Badger hockey fan, the University of Wisconsin hockey has never had a player win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. In my opinion, this season is the season to buck that trend.

Of the past 28 winners of the Hobey, 13 of those have come from the WCHA. Those 13 are spread around between 5 teams, (Minnesota 4, UMD 4, North Dakota 2, Colorado College 2, and Denver 1).

Junior defenseman Jamie McBain is just as deserving or more than any player in the country in my opinion. Like any player, McBain has his positives and his negatives, but the value he brings to this squad is irreplaceable.

Looking at McBain's raw statistics, his point totals are outstanding for a defenseman. He's currently second in the nation for points by a defenseman with a line of 7-27-34 in 36 games.

There is also another statistic that jumps out at you on the stat sheet, -10. That number of course is in reference to his plus/minus this season which hasn't been what traditionalists would consider "good." Many media outlets, including his hometown paper have used it as a negative him his analysis in regards to the All Conference team. To be quite honest with you, in this day and age, I can't believe we are still using such a prehistoric statistic to measure a players value.

There has been article after article printed about the flaws of the plus/minus system yet we still consider it a main factor in determining awards which boggles my mind. "What can I say about (plus/minus)?" Montreal forward Alexei Kovalev once said to ESPN.com. "If I make a good play and we don't score, then one of our other players makes a mistake and the other team scores, I get a minus."

The same situation applies on the other end as well, players are consistently given pluses when they have nothing to do with the play. Boston bruins defenseman Dallas Smith (who?) once put up an eye popping +94 in a season. How did he accomplish this? Because he was consistently paired with Hall of Famer Bobby Orr.

Another reason why the plus minus is flawed? How about how it only incorperates between half to 2/3 of the time you are on the ice. So far this season the Badgers have played about 2160 minutes of hockey (Not counting overtimes). When you add up the combined penalty minutes of the Badgers and thier opponents you get 1407 minutes. So about 2/3 of the time there is a player serving a penalty. Obviously, penalties many times over-lap, and there are other extenuating cercumstances, but I'd go out on a limb and say at minimum 1/3 of the game is spent on special teams.

Pluses and minuses aren't handed out on special teams unless you give up a shorty or score a shorty. So far this season McBain has recorded 24 of his points on the Power play this season. So McBain has been on the ice 24 times when he hasn't gotten credit for it in the plus/minus category. So you say on the other shoe, he should be credited for minuses on the power play as well? Wisconsin has only given up 26 power play goals all season, so at worst, if he was out on the ice for EVERY goal given up on the PP, he would only be a -2 on special teams. Obviously he wasn't out there for all of those, and Wisconsin has actually scored 40 power play goals, not just the 24 that he has gotten points on so he might have a lot more than 24 plusses. Obviously if you add the 1/3 of the game that special teams plays, then McBain's plus/minus isn't even in this discussion.

Currently, Wisconsin as a team has scored 17 more goals than their opponents. If you take away the 14 goal advantage Wisconsin has on special teams (remember special teams cant be used for plus minus), it makes the goal differential a mere 3 goals. If you haven't noticed, Wisconsin has played the #1 hardest schedule in the nation. Add in the fact that McBain is on the ice every time a teams top line is out there, playing probably about 30-35 minutes a night, and it doesn't take a math whiz to figure out why his plus minus isn't gaudy.

McBain for Hobey

As part of their McBain for Hobey coverage, uwbadgers now has a Jamie McBain highlight video and a McBain for Hobey flyer.

If you missed it, last month McBain talked about being considered for the Hobey. And a bit before that, Andy Baggot discussed the possibility of McBain winning.

You can find these and other links on the uwbadgers McBain for Hobey page.

Also, from the Lunatic Fringe -- Chris @ WCH is recommending McBain for WCHA POTY.

Sunday news from the WSJ

The Wisconsin State Journal had a couple of good articles to pass along today.

First, All-American Candidate Jamie McBain, is he Hobey Baker worthy? My answer is that he should definately have his name thrown into the hat at this point. He is arguably the best defenseman in the NCAA's this season. He is 3rd in the WCHA is scoring (overall not just blue liners), 1st in the nation in defensemen scoring, and leads the Badgers w/ 5-23-28. He has lead the Badger blue liners in each of his first two seasons.

At the start of the season, I was going to have a McBain for Hobey campaign, but 60 didn't want me to jinx him. Supposedly I jinxed Kyle Turris last season from winning the Hobey...

All-American & Hobey Baker Candidate McBain is a difference maker for the Badgers, and this has to stand out making him an "MVP" type candidate. If he wasn't out there on the blue line this season, well I don't know what to tell you, but I don't think the Badgers would be 3rd in the WCHA, nor would the PP be remotely as good. He runs that PP like Peyton Manning runs the Colts, and when he is on his game on the PP the team rides right w/ him.

Go here and cast your fan vote for Jamie McBain for Hobey Baker. Its only 1%, but as Badger fans we should be able to make a difference.


Second, big props need to go out to Carol Marshall who has been doing outstanding things behind the scenes for hockey in the Madison area (and beyond) for decades. She even repairs the socks of the Wisconsin Men's hockey team and has been doing so for a long time. Carol and her husband Jack helped found the Blue Line club in the 60s, and have been season ticket holders way back to when the team played at Hartmeyer arena.

Hats off to Carol for all her hardwork over the years to the sport of hockey!

Vote for Hobey!!!

It your chance Badger fans to make the big difference on who wins the Hobey Baker this season! Fan voting for the Hobey has begun and three Badgers on the list. All-American Candidate McBain, Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith make the Badger blue line hat trick. According to the Western College Hockey blog, fan voting is only 1% of the vote, so really it doesn't matter, but nice to see our blue liners getting the recognition they deserve.

The WCHA is well represented on the list, but 2007 winner Ryan Duncan is no where to be found.

We all know the Hobey Baker is a huge joke to being w/, any award started by a rodent is nothing but suspect.

Frozen Four/Hobey Baker Linkorama

A little late on this one, w/ the game being in 3 hours and all, but here are some links for the championship game and Hobey Baker award.

USCHO: BC Notebook, Notre Dame Notebook

College Hockey News: BC, Notre Dame

I'm boycotting INCH and not making any predictions for tonight's game. I apparently jinxed both the lgm and michigan on thursday. Or prehaps both team's goalies were horrible and they paid the price for it?

No real surprise, Kevin Porter was named the 2008 Hobey Baker winner. He would probably rather being playing for the national title though.

The All-American teams were announced and Richard Bachman was named HCA Rookie of the Year. No Badgers made the All-American teams, but I think that will be different next season. Jamie McBain is on the cusp of greatness and I wouldn't be surprised to see Ben Street or Blake Geoffrion having seasons warranting All-American status. I find it funny that Bachman is 1st team All-American and wins this ROY award, but isn't even in the final 10 for the Hobey. Not to rehash past statements, but the Hobey Baker is a joke.

Todd from TCT wrote a piece about the Skills Competition too.

Hobey Hat Trick

First off, I would like to thank 60min for letting me be part of the blog. I'm excited to write about Badger Hockey, both Men's and Women's, and giving updates about recruits. I'm sure I'll throw in my thoughts on my favorite alumni too. This should be a lot of fun.

The Hobey Hat Trick was announced yesterday. The Hat Trick consists of BC's Nathan Gerbe, Miami's Ryan Jones and Michigan's Kevin Porter.

I certainly was surprised by this, as were every North Dakota fan. I figured Jean-Philippe Lamoureux would be among the trio. I certainly figured Kevin Porter was going to win, but JPL has been one of the best goalies in the nation this year (and yes it hurts to write that).

Really if Brian Elloit didn't win the Hobey 2 years ago, no goalie deserves to win it. You can't get much better than that, and if a goalie did, I would acknowledge it.

In general, the Hobey Baker is a joke of an award anyway. The examples are endless, but Richard Bachman of CC is a prefect example from this season. He was named WCHA POY and Top Goalie, yet isn't even named a finalist for the award. The fact that he is a freshman is irrelevant, I thought it was an award for the best player in the country? I've also heard rumors that they weren't going to give the award to another Front Range player, as CC and Denver have each had winners this decade, and Eric Ehn of Air Force was a finalist last year.