Hockey East and the WCHA each have three players among the 10 finalists for the 2011 Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
The list, released Thursday, also includes two players from the CCHA — teammates Carter Camper and Andy Miele of Miami — and one from Atlantic Hockey.
Boston College’s Cam Atkinson, Maine’s Gustav Nyquist (a Hobey Hat Trick finalist last season) and New Hampshire’s Paul Thompson are among the nine forwards on the list.
Wisconsin’s Justin Schultz is the only defenseman, and he is joined by WCHA forwards Jack Connolly of Minnesota-Duluth and Matt Frattin of North Dakota.
Rensselaer’s Chase Polacek and Niagara’s Paul Zanette also are part of the top 10, which was selected in voting by the 58 Division I coaches and online fan ballowing.
The 23-member selection committee and another round of fan voting will determine the winner.
The award criteria, according to organizers, are strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.
The Hobey Hat Trick — the top three vote-getters — will be announced on March 31, and the award will be presented at the Xcel Energy Center during a show that starts at 6 p.m. CDT on Friday, April 8.
Following are notes on each player, provided by the award organizers:
Cam Atkinson — Boston College, Junior, Forward, Greenwich, Conn.
The defending national champions finished atop Hockey East this past season and for the second straight year, Atkinson led his team in scoring. A First Team all-star, he again led
Hockey East in conference goals per game and is tied for third nationally in goal scoring with 28 tallies and 20 assists in 36 games.
• Has scored 58 goals the past two seasons — has 8 power play goals
• His 4 shorthanded goals is tied for second in nation — 15 multiple point games
• Communications major — Columbus draft pick
Carter Camper — Miami, Senior, Forward, Rocky River, Ohio
The scoring whiz has been a college hockey rarity, recording over 40 in each of his four seasons. A co- captain, Camper is third in the nation in assists with 35 in 36 games played. A CCHA First Team all-star and the circuit’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winner, Camper has been very active in community service activities.
• Has recorded 17 goals and 35 assists in 36 games — has scored 8 power play goals
• Hockey Coaches Assoc. Player of the Month for October
• Psychology major with 3.62 GPA — Lowe’s Senior Class Award finalist
Jack Connolly — Minnesota-Duluth, Junior, Forward, Duluth, Minn.
The play-making key on college hockey’s highest scoring line, Connolly is presently tied for third in the nation in scoring with 54 points and is second in assists with 39. He has been named a WCHA First Team all-star two straight years and has more points in the past two seasons, than any other WCHA player.
• Has scored 15 goals and 39 assists in 37 games — led team in scoring past 2 years
• Finished second in WCHA conference scoring race — played 120 straight games
• Communications major and twice on Dean’s list — active community volunteer
Matt Frattin — North Dakota, Senior, Forward, Edmonton, Alberta
A great break out season propelled Frattin to the top of WCHA scoring charts and a regular season title for the Sioux. Currently tied for third in the nation in scoring, his 33 goals are best in the country and he is the only player with over 30 goals. He was also named the WCHA Player of the Year and a First Team all-star helping North Dakota to a number one national ranking.
• WCHA scoring champion with 40 points in 28 games — has 10 power play goals
• Overall, has 33 goals and 21 assists — 3 short handed goals leads WCHA
• Recreation and Tourism Studies major — Toronto draft pick
Andy Miele — Miami, Senior, Forward, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.
The nation’s leading scorer by a whopping ten points, Miele won the CCHA conference scoring title with 56 points, the most in 19 years. His 40 league assists was more than the second place player had points, a first in league history. A First Team all-star, Miele is one of three finalists for Player of the Year. National Player of the Month for February.
• Has recorded 21 goals and 44 assists for 65 points in 36 games — assistant captain
• Multiple point games 20 times — has current points streak of 15 straight games
• American Studies major and Coaching minor — active community volunteer
Gustav Nyquist — Maine, Junior, Forward, Malmo, Sweden
A repeat candidate and Hobey Hat Trick finalist from last season, Nyquist has led Maine in scoring for two straight years. Named a Hockey East First Team all-star, he is presently tied for seventh in the nation in scoring with 51 points in 36 games. A gifted playmaker, he is tied for fourth in the nation in assists with 33.
• Tallied 18 goals and 33 assists for 51 pints in 36 games — assistant captain
• Won league awards three straight years (First Team twice and Rookie Team)
• Finance major — Detroit draft pick — teaches youth hockey
Chase Polacek — Rensselaer, Senior, Forward, Edina, Minn.
The only other top ten finalist from last season, Polacek has also been named ECAC Player of the Year for the second straight season as well as First Team all-star. He has also won the ECAC scoring title two consecutive seasons and has an amazing nine game winning goals, best in the nation, and has chipped in with 11 power play goals.
• Scoring star had 21 goals and 27 assists in 37 games — assistant captain
• Led team in scoring 3 straight years — Lowe’s Senior Class Award finalist
• Business and Management major — multiple Dean’s List honoree
Justin Schultz — Wisconsin, Sophomore, Defense, West Kelowna, British Columbia
A scoring dynamo on the blue line, Schultz has 18 goals on the season, the most in college hockey in eight years. His 47 total points is seven more than the next closest defenseman and he was honored by the WCHA as a First Team all-star and the circuit’s Defensive Player of the Year. Deadly on the power play, his 26 power play points is best
in the nation.
• Recorded 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points in 41 games — 9 power play goals
• Led Wisconsin in scoring and topped the team with 14 multiple point games
• Life Sciences Communications major — Anaheim draft pick
Paul Thompson — New Hampshire, Senior, Forward, Derry, N.H.
One of the premiere scorers in Hockey East, Thompson led the league in most offensive categories this past season including 42 points in 27 games. Overall, his 52 points is tied for fifth in the country, while his 12 power play goals are tied for first in the nation. Thompson was named Hockey East Player of the Year and a First Team all-star.
• His totals are 28 goals and 24 assists for 52 points in 36 games — 7 game winners
• Tied for third in nation with 28 goals — has 16 multiple point games
• Health Management and Policy major
Paul Zanette — Niagara, Senior, Forward, Nobleton, Ontario
First Hobey candidate with a last name starting with the letter Z. Phenomenal scoring pace has him second in the nation with 55 points in 35 games. More than doubled his scoring totals from a year ago and won Atlantic Hockey scoring title. That earned him Player of the Year honors as well as First Team all-star. He is second in the nation with 29 goals.
• Has scored 29 goals and 26 assists in 35 games — 10 power play goals
• First three seasons Niagara was in CHA conference
• Graduated Cum Laude in accounting and working on MBA
