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

March 17, 2005
Go-To Guys: Hobey Baker Finalists

The Hobey Baker Committee announced the 10 finalists for the 2005 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, a group that includes no repeat finalists from a year ago and four goalies for just the second time in history.

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
Reid Cashman Quinnipiac Sophomore \| Defenseman	Statistics: 35 GP, 13-30—43 Why he could win: Cashman’s Atlantic Hockey scoring title, as a defenseman, is downright Orr-like. He’s been the driving force behind a team that’s made a great second-half run and is NCAA Tournament bound with two home wins this weekend. Why he might not: Never mind the level of competition – Atlantic Hockey players don’t get the national attention needed to make a run at the Hobey. In addition, Cashman’s only a sophomore, and his team struggled in the first half, so even close observers weren’t considering him a candidate until January at the earliest.
Patrick Eaves Boston College Junior \| Forward	Statistics: 34 GP, 19-29—48 Why he could win: In baseball, a five-tool prospect can hit, hit for power, run, field and throw. We’re not sure how many tools there are in hockey, but Eaves has them all. He also displayed versatility in leading his team to a Hockey East title – even jumping back on defense when needed. Being the lone Hockey East nominee won’t hurt, either, if some of the WCHAers split votes. Besides, how can you not vote for that face? Why he might not: With all of Eaves’ talents, there’s a sense that he still hasn’t lived up to potential, even though he’s the best player in Hockey East. If he returns to the college game next season, he might be the preseason favorite – even if the winner is a returning player.
Dov Grumet-Morris Harvard Senior \| Goaltender	Statistics: 18-7-3, 1.53 GAA, .949 sv. pct. Why he could win: Grumet-Morris is the nation’s best in what many consider to be the holy grail of goaltending statistics: save percentage. And he makes nearly 30 saves per game, so it’s not like he’s protected by a stifling defense. Why he might not: As impressive as Grumet-Morris has been, his rival from Cornell, David McKee, beat him out for Ivy League Player of the Year. With more team success and equally gaudy numbers, McKee might get the edge in the battle of outstanding ECACHL goalies.
T.J. Hensick Michigan Sophomore \| Forward	Statistics: 35 GP, 22-29—51 Why he could win: The CCHA’s leading scorer has outshone notable Wolverine teammates such as first-round draft picks Jeff Tambellini and Eric Nystrom. Playing for a high-profile program at Michigan doesn’t hurt, either. Why he might not: For a player as dynamic as he is, there’s a decided lack of buzz surrounding Hensick. And though he’s been the team’s top point producer much of the season, Tambellini has been on fire lately and has closed to within two points of his teammate.
David McKee Cornell Sophomore \| Goaltender	Statistics: 24-4-3, 1.24 GAA, .945 sv. pct. Why he could win: Cornell has the best record in the nation thanks to defense and goaltending, and McKee is the cornerstone of that success. Those who watched the Big Red list off situations in every game when McKee bailed out his defense, and there wasn’t a lot of margin for error – 12 of the Big Red’s 24 wins have come by one or two goals. Why he might not: There’s certainly a perception that McKee’s success is a product of Cornell’s system, as the Big Red pride themselves on defense. And just as their strength of schedule holds them back in the polls, voters may question whether McKee earned his jaw-dropping numbers against elite competition.
Colin Murphy Michigan Tech Senior \| Forward	Statistics: 37 GP, 11-42—53 Why he could win: Nobody meant more to his team than Murphy, who had a hand in 58 percent of Michigan Tech’s goals. A dynamic playmaker, his candidacy gained steam in the second half, when the Huskies’ team fortunes improved. Why he might not: They didn’t improve that much, still finishing 10th in the WCHA. For all Murphy’s individual success, it’s hard to overlook the team’s struggles. And while his NCAA-leading assist total is impressive, his 11 goals are average – he didn’t show the do-it-all ability of a Patrick Eaves, Marty Sertich or Brett Sterling.
Marty Sertich Colorado College Junior \| Forward	Statistics: 38 GP, 25-36—61 Why he could win: He’s the nation’s leading scorer and plays for the nation’s best team (depending on whom you ask), and you’ll find him at the intersection of production and consistency. Why he might not: Splitting votes with teammate Brett Sterling 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 Tigers – the sniper (Sterling) or the playmaker (Sertich).
Jordan Sigalet Bowling Green Senior \| Goaltender	Statistics: 16-12-3, 2.89 GAA, .915 sv. pct. Why he could win: His workload abated somewhat this season, but he still faced more shots than a rabies patient and managed to lead the Falcons to their first upper-division finish in the CCHA eight years. Why he might not: Sigalet lost his last five starts for the Falcons, including two defeats against Alaska-Fairbanks in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. During the Falcons’ five-game skid, he allowed 27 goals.
Brett Sterling Colorado College Junior \| Forward	Statistics: 38 GP, 30-28—58 Why he could win: All he does is score goals – 30 of ‘em, to be exact – and he’s won people over with his tenacious, physical style of play that belies his 5-foot-8, 170-pound frame. Why he might not: See Sertich, Marty.
Tuomas Tarkki Northern Michigan Senior \| Goaltender	Statistics: 20-7-5, 1.97 GAA, .933 sv. pct. Why he could win: The Finn shook off three years of inactivity on the Wildcats’ bench to rank among the nation’s top 10 goaltenders in goals against average and save percentage. Why he might not: Despite his heroics, NMU will likely miss the NCAA Tournament unless they win this weekend’s CCHA Super Six championship. Besides, given the glut of goalies on this year’s ballot, Tarkki ranks behind Grumet-Morris and McKee.

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 30, while the winner will be revealed April 8 in Columbus.

Send this to a friend