Inside College Hockey | Go-To Guys: Hobey Baker Finalists

March 17, 2004
Go-To Guys: Hobey Baker Finalists

Yesterday: Our thoughts on the Hobey
Last Week: Defenseman of the Year
March 2: Goaltender of the Year
Feb. 24: Rookie of the Year
Feb. 17: Spencer Penrose Award

The 10 finalists for the 2004 Hobey Baker Memorial Award were announced Wednesday evening at the CCHA banquet, and it's a list largely devoid of surprises. North Dakota leads the way with two candidates, two of the four from the WCHA, leading all the conference.

We've listed the 10 finalists in alphabetical order below, along with their vital statistics (entering Thursday's games) and the qualities that will make – or break – their candidacy.

HOBEY BAKER MEMORIAL AWARD FINALISTS
Keith Ballard Minnesota Junior \| Defenseman	Statistics: 33 GP, 11-23—34 Why he could win: As he goes, so go the Gophers: their biggest struggles came when he was out of the lineup. He's also a familiar name on the national scene, having played well – even outshining ex-teammate and current NHLer Paul Martin at times – during last year's postseason. Why he might not: Politics. We're only two years removed from a Minnesota defenseman receiving Hobey honors. It's doubtful voters would give the nod to Ballard unless his numbers were well beyond those of his competitors, and they're not.
Brandon Bochenski North Dakota Junior \| Forward	Statistics: 37 GP, 24-29—53 Why he could win: He ranks second nationally in scoring, trailing only Minnesota Duluth’s Junior Lessard, and was the driving force behind the country’s best team for most of the regular season. He scores important goals, too – five game-winners and 10 on the power play. Why he might not: His scoring pace has slowed as of late and, though he’s still contributing, teammate Zach Parise has been outstanding during the Fighting Sioux’s stretch run.
Junior Lessard Minnesota Duluth Senior \| Forward	Statistics: 40 GP, 27-28—55 Why he could win: He’s the nation’s leading scorer and the catalyst behind the Bulldogs’ impressive late-season run in 2003, and the momentum from that charge carried over into this season. Lessard reeled off a 12-game scoring streak in the middle of the season which was part of UMD’s 14-game unbeaten streak. Why he might not: Lessard has had a great season, but linemates Evan Schwabe (47 points) and Tyler Brosz (38 points) aren’t exactly chopped liver. In fact, Lessard is one of seven Bulldogs with 30 or more points this season. And while UMD enjoyed its best season in years, they were winless in five tries against Bochenski, Parise and the rest of the Fighting Sioux.
Yann Danis Brown Senior \| Goaltender	Statistics: 15-11-4, 1.81 GAA, .942 sv. pct. Why he could win: The lone goaltender and ECAC player in the mix, voters who value the importance of the guys in the crease and those from his league could put their weight behind him. Why he might not: From their disappointing trip to North Dakota after Christmas to last weekend's sweep at the hands of Harvard, every time the Bears had a chance to catch the national voters' attention, they slipped up.
Derek Edwardson Miami Senior \| Foward	Statistics: 38 GP, 17-30—47 Why he could win: He's done a tremendous job centering a line with freshman wings Matt Christie and Marty Guerin riding shotgun, giving the RedHawks two bona fide scoring units. He's also a key component of one of the nation's best power plays. Why he might not: Edwardson stands out no more than teammates Mike Kompon and Greg Hogeboom. Furthermore, Edwardson's has been out of the national spotlight for most of the season, tucked away in the relative anonymity of Oxford, Ohio.
Zach Parise North Dakota Sophomore \| Forward	Statistics: 33 GP, 20-27—47 Why he could win: The college hockey world is like Cheers to Parise – everybody knows his name. He’s been terrific during the last quarter of the season and, while it shouldn’t factor into Hobey voters’ minds, he proved he was one of the very best players in his age group at the World Junior Championships. Why he might not: Splitting votes with Bochenski could allow a third player to sneak up and win the award. And it’s difficult to determine which player is more valuable to the Fighting Sioux – the sniper (Bochenski) or the playmaker (Parise).
Thomas Pöck Massachusetts Senior \| Defenseman	Statistics: 35 GP, 15-23—38 Why he could win: There may not be an individual who impacts the game as much as Pöck. He's smooth, smart and savvy with the puck on his stick, and his coach credits his move back to defense as the turning point for the UMass program. Why he might not: It will take two wins this weekend for UMass to make the NCAA Tournament. If they don't get there, he and Yann Danis will be the only two finalists on the outside looking in.
Steve Saviano New Hampshire Senior \| Forward	Statistics: 39 GP, 26-21—47 Why he could win: He's got all the qualities you root for: gifted finisher, hard worker, great penalty killer. He's even a good sportsman, as evidenced by his one trip to the penalty box all season. Why he might not: Although they are still tourney-bound, it's been a relatively unsatisfying year for UNH to this point.
Jim Slater Michigan State Junior \| Forward	Statistics: 40 GP, 19-29—48 Why he could win: On Feb. 1, the Spartans had a 15-14-1 overall record and its hopes for an NCAA Tournament berth were on life support. Seven weeks later, MSU owns a 23-15-2 mark thanks in large part to Slater, who has four goals and 11 assists in his last 10 outings and has become the leader the team has sorely needed. Why he might not: As good as he has been recently, it must be noted that Slater’s recent scoring spree started when freshman wing Tom Goebel returned to the Spartans’ top line after a three-week absence. It’s also a down year for top-end, veteran talent in the CCHA; voters may conclude Slater is simply the best of a mediocre lot.
Tony Voce Boston College Senior \| Forward	Statistics: 39 GP, 28-16—44 Why he could win: The nation's leading goal scorer, he has led Boston College to a terrific year in the absence of his usual linemate, Ben Eaves, for long stretches. He's more than just a sniper, too, doing good work on both sides of the puck. Why he might not: Fair or not, BC's late fade will hurt, to be sure. He's also among a crowded field of teammates who could be the Eagles' best player in Eaves' absence.

Finalists are determined by vote of the nation's head coaches, who select the top three players in their conference and the top three players in the nation. Online fan voting also contributes to the determination. A selection committee votes on the winner of the award from among the 10 finalists.

The Hobey Hat Trick, or three finalists, will be announced March 31, while the winner will be revealed April 9 in Boston.

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