The nation’s top scorer and the country’s top two goal scorers make up the three finalists for the 2011 Hobey Baker Award.
Miami’s Andy Miele, North Dakota’s Matt Frattin and Boston College’s Cam Atkinson make up the Hobey Hat Trick, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation announced Wednesday.
Miele leads the nation with 71 points. Frattin and Atkinson are Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in goal scoring — Frattin has 36, Atkinson 31.
The finalists reflect the top three vote-getters from a 23-member selection committee and fan balloting. The vote this week also establishes the winner; there is no more voting.
The criteria for the award, according to the foundation, are: strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.
The award will be presented during a show that begins at 6 p.m. CDT on Friday, April 8, live on ESPNU. It will take place at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., on the day between the national semifinals and national championship.
Atkinson, a junior who recently gave up his final year of eligibility to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, helped Boston College to the Hockey East regular season and playoff titles. He added 21 assists to his 31 goals for 52 points in 39 games — 16 of those games being multiple-point contests.
Frattin, who was suspended by the team for the first half of last season after a pair of arrests, then earned his way back onto the roster, was named the WCHA’s player of the year as a senior. Behind his leadership, the Fighting Sioux won the league regular season and playoff titles and have advanced to the Frozen Four. The Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick has 24 assists, giving him 60 points in 43 games.
Miele, the CCHA’s player of the year, leads the nation in points, with an 11-point margin over Frattin. The senior’s scoring line reads 24 goals and 47 assists in 39 games, and he has 22 multiple-point games to his credit. He helped the RedHawks win the CCHA playoff title.
