Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation

Hobey Baker nominee notes

• Nominees by conference: WCHA 4, ECAC 3, AHA 1, CCHA 1, Hockey East 1 
• By class nominees are: Senior 5, Junior 3, Sophomore 2
• By nationality nominees are: U.S. 7 (Minnesota-4, New York, New Jersey, Michigan-1 each), Canada 3 (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario-1 each) 
• Hobey Baker Award Banquet will be held May 22, 2013 in St. Paul, Minnesota

Following, in alphabetical order, is a look at each finalist:

Greg Carey – St. Lawrence University, Junior, Forward, Hamilton, Ontario
A dynamic goal scorer, Carey has been a familiar name at the top of the national scoring charts this year. He leads the nation in goals (28) and power play goals (14), and Carey led the ECAC in both categories plus, the league scoring title. Named to the ECAC First Team all-conference, Carey was the Saints nominee for the ECAC student-athlete of the year.
•    History major with 3.51 GPA – was on 2012 Dean’s List – three-time All-Academic
•    Had 28 goals, 23 assists for 51 points in 38 games – currently second in nation in points
•    Member of University tripartite committee on athletics – coaches youth hockey skills

Carsen Chubak – Niagara University, Junior, Goalie, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
After playing nine games as a freshman and just one last year due to injury, Chubak has rebounded with a fantastic year. He led the Atlantic Hockey Association in virtually all goalie statistics and was named First Team all-conference and tabbed Player of the Year. He has played in 33 of the Purple Eagles 36 games and leads the nation with six shutouts, including a run of three straight.
•    Currently 25-5-5 overall with a 1.81 goals against average, for fifth in the nation
•    His .941 save percentage is fourth in the nation – AHA Goalie of the Week seven times
•    Is a Sport Management major – helps a local youth hockey team several days a month

Austin Czarnik – Miami University, Sophomore, Forward, Washington, Michigan
This has been a highly memorable season for the RedHawks second year player.  He represented the U.S. and won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships. On campus, Czarnik has been named CCHA First Team all-star and is a finalist for two more league awards, Player of the Year and Best Defensive Forward. He leads the nation with four short-handed goals so far.
•    Has 14 goals, 22 assists for 36 points in 39 games – finished fourth in CCHA scoring
•    Mentors a youth hockey team and helps instruct very young kids in hockey
•    Sport Studies major – has had 11 multiple point games this year

Kyle Flanagan – St. Lawrence University, Senior, Forward, Canton, New York
A linemate of Carey’s, Flanagan’s selection represents the first time the Saints have had two top ten finalists. Although the Saints season is over, Flanagan, a two-year captain, ranks ninth in the nation in scoring and fourth in assists, while his one and a third points per game average is fourth best in the country. In conference play, he was second in scoring and tied for first in assists.
•    Finished the season with 15 goals, 32 assists for 47 points in 35 games
•    Was named First Team all-star in ECAC – had 15 multiple point games
•    Is a Performance and Communications Arts major

Johnny Gaudreau – Boston College, Sophomore, Forward, Carneys Point, New Jersey
A solid second season for the dynamo saw the BC star lead Hockey East in both scoring and assists this past season earning him First Team all-star honors. On top of that, Gaudreau was named the circuit’s Player of the Year. Gaudreau sits ninth in both goals and assists but his combo ranks fifth in overall points in the nation, just three points from the top.
•    Earned gold with U.S. World Junior team and led IIHF tourney with 7 goals
•    Has 20 goals, 29 assists for 49 points in 33 games – 1.5 points per game leads nation
•    Calgary draft pick (4th round) – Communications major – has 6 game winners

Eric Hartzell – Quinnipiac University, Senior, Goalie, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
A huge reason the Bobcats are ranked #1 is due to the play of Hartzell who led all ECAC goalies in conference play and was named Goalie of the Year, Player of the Year and First Team ECAC.  His 1.50 goals against average is fourth best in league history and currently places him third in the nation.  He was also the ECAC Goalie of the Month three of the five times it’s been awarded.
•    His current record is 26-5-5 – his 26 wins are the most in the nation
•    His save percentage is .935, is tied for sixth in the nation – has 4 shutouts
•    Had a streak of 21 straight games without a loss – Marketing major – active volunteer

Corban Knight – University of North Dakota, Senior, Forward, High River, Alberta
The assistant captain was the top vote getter in the Vote for Hobey fan ballot and at one point this season, had a 19-game point streak, the longest North Dakota streak in 25 years. He currently ranks second in the nation in assists with 33 and was named to the WCHA Second all-star team. Knight is dynamite on face-offs averaging over 58% the past three seasons.
•    Has 15 goals, 33 assists for 48 points in 38 games – seventh in the nation in scoring
•    Recorded points in 29 games, second most in nation – Florida draft pick (5th round)
•    Physical Education, Exercise Science & Wellness major – active volunteer with multiple organizations

Danny Kristo – University of North Dakota, Senior, Forward, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
With linemate Corban Knight setting him up, Kristo is the finisher with 24 goals to rank third in the nation in goal scoring, giving North Dakota a powerful one-two punch. An assistant captain, Kristo was named First Team WCHA, finishing second in the conference in goals and points. Kristo leads all active Division I college players in career points with 159.
•    Has 24 goals, 26 assists for 50 points in 38 games – third in the nation in scoring
•    Recreation and Tourism Studies major and is very active in community volunteering
•    Montreal draft pick (2nd round) – has 14 multiple point games

Drew LeBlanc – St. Cloud State University, Senior, Forward, Hermantown, Minnesota
LeBlanc (pronounced le-BLAH) has had quite a haul of hardware already: named a WCHA First Team all-star plus, winner of both the Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year and the Player of the Year Awards – a first in the 52 year history of the WCHA. The outstanding playmaker has 37 assists to lead the nation and 50 total points to rank third overall, just two points back.
•    Is completing his student teacher requirements for Math Education major – 3.64 GPA
•    Has 13 goals, 37 assists for 50 points in 38 games – active in several volunteer efforts
•    Coming off redshirt season after severely broken leg – four-time All-Academic

Ryan Walters – University of Nebraska Omaha, Junior, Forward, Rosemount, Minnesota  
The WCHA scoring champion has elevated his way to the top of the nation in scoring with 52 total points. He was named First Team WCHA for his efforts and completed his season a +26, ranking him second in the nation in plus-minus. Equally adept at scoring and playmaking, Walters is fifth in the nation in goals (22) and eighth in assists (30).
•    Finishes season with 22 goals, 30 assists for 52 points in 39 games – 5 power play goals
•    Business major and WCHA Scholar Athlete
•    Had 40 points in 28 WCHA games to lead conference - had points in 28 of last 32 games