Jan. 8, 2010
Boston – It is time for college hockey fans everywhere to help determine the 2010 winner of the Hobey Baker Award.
Awarded annually to college hockey’s top player, the Hobey Baker’s highly popular fan-voting phase opens on Friday, Jan. 8. Visit the Hobey Baker website: hobeybaker.com. Click on the Vote for Hobey Baker icon and follow the prompts to make your selection from this year’s outstanding crop of college hockey players.
Among the candidates for the fan vote are three Badgers, including junior defenseman Brendan Smith, who leads the nation's defensemen in scoring with 27 points, senior forward Blake Geoffrion, who is among the nation's leaders with 14 goals, and sophomore forward Derek Stepan, who ranks second on the Badgers and among the WCHA leaders with 22 points in 18 games.
This first phase of fan balloting will run now through March 7, 2010. Phase two of fan balloting will begin on March 19 from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists. The fans’ vote accounts for a full 1 percent of the total ballot in each phase in selecting this year’s award recipient.
Award criteria include candidates emulating the exceptional character traits exhibited by the award’s namesake, Hobey Baker, a World War I flying star better known as America’s greatest amateur athlete in his day. Award candidates must demonstrate strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship.
Key Hobey Baker announcement dates for 2010 include:
• Top Ten list of candidates: March 18
• Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists: March 31
• Hobey Baker Award winner: April 9
The 2010 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 9, 2010 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in Detroit. The 30th annual award announcement honoring college hockey’s top player will be televised live during prime time on ESPNU. For more info on the Hobey Baker Award or to access the Hobey logo, please visit hobeybaker.com.
