Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation

2007 — Ryan Duncan

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux

It is uncommon for a collegiate player in only his sophomore season to be nominated to receive the Hobey Baker Award, and rarer still to claim the prize. North Dakota forward Ryan Duncan became only the third sophomore player in the 27 years of the Hobey to be recognized as college hockey’s top player.  The high scoring forward from Calgary, Alberta helped the Fighting Sioux to their third straight NCAA Frozen Four appearance. In 43 games, the diminutive Duncan (5’8 and 155 pounds) scored 31 goals, second best in the nation, and had 26 assists for 57 points planting him fourth in the nation in scoring. Those efforts helped North Dakota to an awesome second half of the season as the Sioux completed their season on a 17-4-4 run as one of college hockey’s hottest teams.  Along with the Hobey, Duncan was named WCHA Player of the Year, First Team WCHA and a first team West All American. A pro hockey free agent, Duncan is a business major and a WCHA All Academic student-athlete with a 3.20 GPA. Ryan returned for his final two seasons at North Dakota and upon graduation, spent two seasons with Salzburg of the Austrian Elite League. He spent the 2011-12 season with Portland in the AHL and returned this past season to Salzburg in Austria.