The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is down to three finalists – the Hobey Hat Trick – for the 2015 award in Boston University freshman forward Jack Eichel, North Dakota junior goaltender Zane McIntyre and Harvard junior forward Jimmy Vesey.
The three finalists were selected from the initial list of 10 candidates by the 27-member selection committee and an additional round of online fan balloting.
This year’s Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 10, from the Matthews Arena in Boston during the NCAA Frozen Four.
Eichel, the first freshman Hobey candidate in 12 years, leads the nation in scoring, collecting 67 points in just 38 games. He was the Hockey East scoring champion, Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, First Team Hockey East, a member of the All-Rookie Team and was named Most Valuable Player at the Hockey East playoff tournament. Eichel also leads the nation in assists, power play points (22) and in plus-minus with a plus-49 rating.
He was captain of the 2015 U.S. World Junior team and off the ice, is a general studies major, mentors a brain cancer youth and helps with Autism Speaks. This June, Eichel is expected to be a top pick in the NHL draft.
McIntyre has already become UND’s all-time leader in career GAA and save percentage. He was named First Team NCHC and Goalie of the Year and was a finalist for Player of the Year honors as well. He has played in all but one game this season for North Dakota and ranks as the busiest goalie in the nation.
Entering the Frozen Four, McIntyre has a record of 29-9-3 with one shutout – his 29 wins leads the nation, GAA of 2.00 is 11th in the nation and .931 save percentage is sixth in the nation.
A sixth-round Boston Bruins’ draft pick in 2010, McIntyre is majoring in psychology and pre-occupational therapy. He also volunteers with elementary school visits and assists Special Olympics and youth hockey.
Harvard’s first Hobey finalist in 10 years, Vesey had a huge season, winning the ECAC scoring title while piling up 58 points (third in the nation). He also leads the nation with 32 goals. Vesey was off to the races early, earning points in each of the first 20 games of the season and produced points in 34 of the 37 games he played in. Saving his best for last, Vesey had 10 goals and four assists in eight playoff games, including three game-winning goals. He was the ECAC Player of the Year and First Team all-conference.
Vesey also won the Walter Brown Award as the top American-born player in New England. Off the ice, he speaks fluent Mandarin and was a third-round Nashville Predators’ draft pick in 2012. A government major, Vesey also assists with Special Olympics.
Eichel and McIntrye will play in a national semifinal game against one another on Friday, April 9.
Johnny Gaudreau of Boston College was the 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner.
