Inside College Hockey | Hobey Tracker

October 31, 2006

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. In yet another new coverage item presented by Inside College Hockey for the 2006-07 season, we introduce Hobey Tracker with a look at the top three candidates, those whose stock is rising and other players worthy of consideration.

THE BIG BOARD
1. Michel Leveille Maine Senior \| Forward	Last Week: Two goals in a 4-1 win against visiting UMass Saturday. The Buzz: It just seems like he's had a hand in all of Maine's big goals this season. When trailing North Dakota 1-0 on Oct. 20, who set up first two Maine goals in the second period? Who scored the team's second and third goals in a 3-1 win over the Sioux the next night? And who picked up the Black Bears' first goal last Saturday in Orono?
2. Cory Schneider Boston College Junior \| Goalie	Last Week: 55 saves, 1 goal against, 1 shutout in a sweep of Wisconsin. The Buzz: His statistics are healthy – a 4-1-0 record, a 2.04 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. Give him a mulligan for the 7-1 loss to Notre Dame, however, and those last two numbers drop to a 1.00 GAA and a .962 save percentage.
3. Nathan Davis Miami Junior \| Forward	Last Week: One goal, three assists in a sweep of visiting Bowling Green. The Buzz: Only two players (Air Force's Eric Ehn and Niagara's Ted Cook) have surpassed Davis' 14 points, and his nine assists are better than everyone save Minnesota's Tyler Hirsch. What makes Davis' candidacy intriguing is his offensive prowess on the penalty kill, not a time most players view as scoring chances.
Dropped Out: Brian Elliott — It's been a tough start for the Wisconsin goaltender, who has played well (a .927 save pct. and a 1.83 GAA) while getting little in the way of offensive support. Brian Boyle — After opening the season with a bang (two goals and two assists against Northeastern), Boyle has one goal and one assist in the Eagles' last four outings.


BULL MARKET
Scott Parse Nebraska-Omaha Junior Forward	Mavericks coach Mike Kemp would probably prefer if we kept Parse's name on the Bear Market if doing so means he'll score six points every series. Last week, Parse got our Bear Market nod and proceeded to score two goals and four assists as UNO swept Western Michigan. The Portage, Mich., native – who's tied for fifth in the CCHA in points – is too talented to keep off the scoresheet for too long.
BEAR MARKET
Jack Johnson Michigan Sophomore Defenseman	Johnson, who had a goal and an assist in Michigan's split with Northeastern last weekend, rightfully defended teammate Billy Sauer after the netminder was cannonballed by the Huskies' Joe Vitale. Unfortunately, Johnson was hit with a five-minute major, a game disqualification, and the mandatory one-game suspension that accompanies it, robbing him of the chance to solidify his candidacy Friday in a marquee game against archrival Michigan State.

HIDDEN HOBEY
Tanner Glass Dartmouth Senior Forward	Glass hasn't earned ECAC Hockey League accolades like teammates David Jones, Grant Lewis, or even Nick Johnson, but he's off to a strong start this year. Glass had three assists in a season-opening win over Harvard and a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory over Vermont. A draft pick of the Florida Panthers, Glass has improved his skating and physical strength throughout his Dartmouth career and is poised for a big senior season alongside the aforementioned linemates, Jones and Johnson.