[News] Gaudreau one of 3 Hobey Baker Finalists. UPD: LeBlanc wins

[sureLoss]

http://www.hobeybakeraward.com/news_...rrer_id=191323

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation on Wednesday announced the three Hobey Hat Trick finalists for the 2013 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are: Johnny Gaudreau, sophomore forward from Boston College; Eric Hartzell, senior goalie from Quinnipiac University; and Drew LeBlanc, senior forward from St. Cloud State University.

The three finalists were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 23-member Selection Committee and an additional round of online fan balloting to determine this year’s Hobey Baker winner. Criteria for the award includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

This year’s Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 12, 2013 from Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA during the NCAA Frozen Four. The 33rd annual announcement will be aired live on the NHL Network at 6 p.m., ET, and at the Hobey website, www.hobeybakeraward.com. Here is more on this year’s three finalists:

[GreenLantern]

Haha perfect, after all that jihad defeat Johnny Hockey gets the last laugh.

[devo22]

Well deserved, way to go Johnny!!! What an impressive feat ... really, all you need to know is that the other two finalists are seniors.

[Ashasx]

I thought Ferraro said Calgary had no notable prospects?

Gaudreau is more than 4 years younger than both of these players.

[Alberta_Beef]

Just curious, if Gaudreau wins and returns to BC, could he win it again?

[Wronskian]

I'd say with very limited NCAA hockey knowledge that he should win.

[Ozy_Flame]

If he wins, that would make two Hobey Baker winners on the Flames within 10 years - the other being Jordan Leopold.

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Just curious, if Gaudreau wins and returns to BC, could he win it again?

Yes

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Just curious, if Gaudreau wins and returns to BC, could he win it again?

No reason why he couldn't.

[drPepper1]

Hahaha wasted effort by all those Corban Knight fans

[SuperMatt18]

Drew Leblanc is college UFA a linemate of Hanowski and speculation that the Flames were going to try to attract him by stating the connection with the linemate.

Would be nice to have two hobey baker finalists in the Flames prospect base.

[calgARI]

Not sure of the specifics, but I'm guessing Gaudreau would be one of the youngest winners ever in the range of Paul Kariya who is the youngest. Important to take note of how young he is given how the list of past Hobey winners is very unimpressive...most of the winners were 22-24 years old.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by timbit

No reason why he couldn't.

I didn't think so, I just know there have been no 2 time winners. So it just planted that seed of doubt.

[Knut]

Happy Thread !!

[gargamel]

LeBlanc isn't in the same class as the other two finalists. The Flames/BC homer in me thinks Gaudreau deserves it, but it's hard to compare Gaudreau to a goalie. I'd say they both have about a 50/50 chance of winning.

It would definitely increase the chances of him going pro next season if Gaudreau wins the award, but I think he probably stays at BC another year regardless.

[Miniac]

Love this kid!

[MisterJoji]

What's huge is that he's a sophomore competing against 2 seniors. This kid is something to be excited about.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

If he wins, that would make two Hobey Baker winners on the Flames within 10 years - the other being Jordan Leopold.

Brendan Morrison also won it in 1997.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Happy Thread !!

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by getbak

Brendan Morrison also won it in 1997.

No love for Mike Mottau?