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April 2, 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. Inside College
Hockey's Hobey Tracker looks at the top three candidates
for the award, those whose stock is rising or falling,
and other players worthy of consideration.
The Hobey Hat Trick finalists were announced
on Tuesday and Inside College Hockey takes a look at
how and why each finalist may or may not win when the
award is presented during the Frozen Four next week.
| THE
HOBEY HAT TRICK : BIG BOARD |
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Nathan
Gerbe
Boston College
Junior | Forward |
Stats:
41 GP, 30-30—60
Why He Might Win: Simply stated, he stands
out among the crowd. Nathan Gerbe is a player
that everyone notices, every single game. He's
the primary focus of every opponent's defensive
gameplan and still managed to average about a
point and a half per game. His goals, shifty moves,
and deft passes are destined for highlights and
he'll make at least one play every night that
will get the fans talking.
Why He Might Not: Residue of
Gerbe's flash and enthusiasm is that some people
take it the wrong way. For a 5-foot-5 forward
to have success at this level of hockey, he needs
to play with an edge. Penalty minutes result,
and Gerbe served a one-game suspension earlier
this season issued by Hockey East. |
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Ryan
Jones
Miami
Senior | Forward |
Stats:
42 GP, 31-18—49
Why He Might Win: In addition to leading
the nation with 31 goals, the Chatham, Ontario
product does a lot of the same things Porter does
— kill penalties, serve as team captain
— just with less fanfare. At 6-foot-2 and
215 pounds, Jones is just as likely to spark his
team with a thundering hit on the forecheck as
he is with a highlight-reel goal. He's also a
well-respected team leader.
Why He Might Not: Sure, he does
a lot of the same things Porter does, but Jones
plies his trade on the wing, and some observers
feel center (Porter's natural position) is more
demanding. The Miami roster, loaded with talent,
may be more of a hindrance. Jones is one of six
RedHawks to score 10 or more goals this season,
and a half-dozen Miamians tallied 30 or more points.
It's hard to isolate a player's value to the team
with that much balance.
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Kevin
Porter
Michigan
Senior | Forward |
Stats:
42 GP, 33-29—62
Why He Might Win: Quite simply, he's
the best player on the best team. Porter leads
the nation in scoring, and has been one of two
seniors that has carried the Wolverines through
a remarkable season that stands at 34 wins heading
into next week's Frozen Four. He's been the front-runner
all year long and has done it in all areas —
scoring, leadership, consistency, and winning.
Why He Might Not: Porter's style
of play isn't as dynamic as the other two finalists.
The numbers are there, the points are there, but
at times you don't really notice him until after
the red light goes on and you say to yourself,
"Oh. It's Porter again." That being
said, Porter is the clear favorite for the award,
and is as certain a lock to win this thing that
there's been in at least 10 years. |
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