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March
9, 2004
Go-To Guys: Defenseman of the Year
Variety, as
the saying goes, is the spice of life. It’s especially true
when talking about defensemen. Do you prefer a power play point
man extraordinaire such as Brian Leetch or a smaller, mobile blueliner
like Brian Rafalski? Perhaps you favor a punishing physical presence
like Ed Jovanovski or a multi-dimensional player in the mold of
Rob Blake? It’s no surprise, then, that this week’s
Go-To Guys – which focuses on how we'd rate the college game's
top defensemen at this point in the year – boasts a diverse
collection of unique talents.
Inside College
Hockey editors and staff, in consultation with coaches and media
from around the country, compiled this list of how we would vote
for the Defenseman of the Year Award today – not necessarily
how we think the races will turn out. And stay tuned, because a
lot can change each weekend; we'll continue our looks at the sport's
top individual honors as the season progresses.
| DEFENSEMAN
OF THE YEAR –
March 9, 2004 |
1.
Thomas Pöck
Massachusetts |
The
last month hasn't gone smoothly for Pöck and the Minutemen,
but he's still the nation's biggest difference-maker on the
blueline.
33
GP, 14-20—34 |
2.
Keith Ballard
Minnesota |
When
he was hurt early in the year, the Gophers struggled. When he
returned to the lineup, the Gophers took off. It’s obvious
NHL teams covet him – his draft rights have moved from
Buffalo to Colorado to Phoenix in two blockbuster deals.
31
GP, 11-20—31 |
3.
Ryan Whitney
Boston University |
Whitney's
vast improvement over last year's struggles prompted a sigh
of relief from Pittsburgh, which drafted him in the first round.
Expect him to patrol the Penguins' blue line, alongside ex-BC
Eagle Brooks Orpik, for years to come.
34
GP, 9-15—24 |
4.
Ryan Caldwell
Denver |
Only
Pöck has more goals than the Pioneers’ captain, who
excels on the power play (four PPGs) and plays with an edge,
as evidenced by his 92 penalty minutes.
36
GP, 13-12—25 |
5.
Scott Basiuk
Rensselaer |
Does it
all for the Engineers. Mans the point on the power play, kills
penalties, and goes head-to-head against opposition's best forwards.
35
GP, 10-15—25 |
| Poised
to change on the fly |
Stephen
Wood, Providence; Beau Geisler, Minnesota Duluth; Mark Stuart,
Colorado College; Prestin Ryan, Maine; Neil Komadoski, Notre
Dame |
| On
the radar |
Andrew
Alberts, Boston College; Andy Greene, Miami; Noah Welch, Harvard;
Grant Lewis, Dartmouth; A.J. Thelen, Michigan State |
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