This is my yearly attempt to predict the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. In the past, my results have been mixed, from a high of seven to a low of five.
As you may remember, my top ten is weighted toward players on teams still alive for the national tournament, although there are a couple of picks outside of the NCAA field.
Skaters (in alphabetical order):
Ryan Duncan, senior forward, North Dakota (18-19-37)
Jacques Lamoureux, junior forward, Air Force (31-20-51)
Bryan Leitch, senior forward, Quinnipiac (12-47-59)
Aaron Palushaj, sophomore forward, Michigan (12-36-48)
Ryan Stoa, junior forward, Minnesota (24-22-46)
Colin Wilson, sophomore forward, Boston University (14-35-49)
Goaltenders (in alphabetical order):
Zane Kalemba, junior, Princeton (22-8-0, 1.69 GAA, .936 SV%, 2 SO)
Jordan Pearce, senior, Notre Dame (28-5-3, 1.62 GAA, .934 SV%, 8 SO)
Ben Scrivens, junior, Cornell (20-8-4, 1.68 GAA, .936 SV%, 7 SO)
Brad Thiessen, junior, Northeastern (25-10-4, 2.07 GAA, .932 SV%, 3 SO)
Duncan is admittedly a homer pick (and Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway had the early Hobey buzz), but no one is hotter than Duncan (22 points over his last 18 games) and UND would not be a top 5 team without their senior captain.
None of the defensemen this year jumped out at me, although Wisconsin’s McBain could crack the top ten.
Feel free to argue, debate, and add your own opinions. Check back after the announcement on Thursday evening to see how I did.