Inside College Hockey | Hobey Tracker

March 18, 2008

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is presented to a deserving recipient on the day before the last college hockey game of the season. But that doesn’t mean that college hockey fans, players and media members don’t think about it all season. This week's Inside College Hockey's Hobey Tracker predicts the 10 finalists for the award, before they are officially announced later this week.

THE BIG BOARD
1. Kevin Porter Michigan Senior \| Forward	Stats: 38 GP, 28-28—56 The Buzz: Porter, the nation's leading scorer, has been on top of this list as far back as we can remember. He's probably the closest thing to a lock to win the Hobey since Paul Kariya in 1993.
2. Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota Senior \| Goalie	Stats: 24-9-4, .934 sv. pct., 1.63 GAA The Buzz: Fighting Sioux hockey is typically synonymous with explosive offense, but Lamoureux has been the team's best player all season. In 20 starts since Jan. 1, the Grand Forks native has given up more than two goals on just four occasions.
3. Nathan Gerbe Boston College Junior \| Forward	Stats: 37 GP, 27-25—52 The Buzz: Gerbe's highlight-reel penalty shot goal in last weekend's Hockey East playoff series win moves him back into our top three. He still has the numbers to be among the finalists for this award, and could find himself in the Hobey Hat Trick, depending on how voters judge his consistency.
4. Ryan Jones Miami Senior \| Forward	Stats: 38 GP, 30-16—46 The Buzz: The country's leading goal scorer has been the model of consistency for a RedHawk team that had to do without 2007 Hobey Baker Award finalist Nathan Davis and talented freshman Carter Camper for extended periods due to injury.
5. Kevin Regan New Hampshire Senior \| Goalie	Stats: 23-6-1, .934 sv. pct., 2.07 GAA The Buzz: Regan ranks in the top-10 nationally among goaltenders in wins, save percentage, and goals-against average and has been the most important player on Hockey East's best team.
6. Ryan Lasch St. Cloud State Sophomore \| Forward	Stats: 38 GP, 25-26—51 The Buzz: The Huskies' leading scorer – and that's saying something when Andreas Nodl and Garrett Roe are on the roster – has at least one point in 33 of his team's 38 games. He enters the WCHA Final Five with an eight-game point streak.
7. Chad Rau Colorado College Junior \| Forward	Stats: 37 GP, 27-14—41 The Buzz: A close call over freshman goalie Richard Bachman, Rau is tied for third in the country in goals and leads the nation with six shorthanded markers. Just as impressive was his streak of 20 games from Oct. 26-Jan. 19 without a penalty.
8. Ryan Cruthers Robert Morris Senior \| Forward	Stats: 34 GP, 22-27—49 The Buzz: The College Hockey America player of the year has been a steady points producer for the Colonials all season long, and would be the first Hobey finalist for Robert Morris, in its four-year program history.
9. Jeff Lerg Michigan State Junior \| Goalie	Stats: 23-11-5, .925 sv. pct., 2.23 GAA The Buzz: Lerg had a solid season and has been his best since the start of the New Year. Since Jan. 1, he owns a 1.91 goals against average and .938 save percentage, with four shutouts. He also carries a 3.74 grade-point average, which is favorably viewed by Hobey voters.
10. Lee Jubinville Princeton Junior \| Forward	Stats: 31 GP, 12-26—38 The Buzz: The Tigers' leading scorer led ECAC Hockey in scoring on a resurgent Princeton team that finished second in the regular season and will play in the league's championship weekend for the first time since 1999.