The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/653976
According to USCHO.com's Hobey Watch, Michigan freshman Kyle Connor and junior Tyler Motte ranked among the top five under consideration. Junior J.T. Compher was the first of five players "also receiving votes." Here are the site's other top-five contenders: Jimmy Vesey — Harvard: The Crimson find themselves competing for an NCAA Tournament berth — they were 11th in the Pairwise Rankings through March 14 — and finished third in the ECAC thanks to their senior forward. Vesey ranked fifth nationally in points with 1.47 per game, contributing 23 goals and 21 assists playing left wing on Harvard's top line. Alex Lyon — Yale: Goalies rarely win college hock- ey's top trophy — Michigan State's Ryan Miller was the last to do so in 2001 — but Lyon is putting up eye-popping numbers, ranking second nationally in goals-against average (1.59 per game) and first in save percentage (.938) while going 19-7-4 for a Bulldogs team that finished second in the ECAC and was 10th in the Pairwise. Thatcher Demko — Boston College: In a typical year, Demko would be re- garded the best goalie in college hockey, and he might be anyway with a 1.78 goals-against average that ranks third nationally, a .938 save percentage that sits first and an NCAA-best 10 shutouts in 35 games. He is 25-6-4 and had the Eagles fifth in the Pairwise and first in Hockey East. NCAA'S TOP POINT PRODUCER'S HOBEY BAKER FINISH Season Player School PPG Hobey 2014-15 Jack Eichel Boston U. 1.77 Winner 2013-14 Johnny Gaudreau Boston College 2.00 Winner 2012-13 Johnny Gaudreau Boston College 1.46 Finalist 2011-12 Spencer Abbott Maine 1.59 Finalist 2010-11 Andy Miele Miami (Ohio) 1.82 Winner 2009-10 Gustav Nyquist Maine 1.56 Finalist 2008-09 Bryan Leitch Quinnipiac 1.51 DNP* 2007-08 Nathan Gerbe Boston College 1.58 Finalist 2006-07 T.J. Hensick Michigan 1.68 Top 10 2005-06 Dave Borrelli Mercyhurst 1.55 DNP* * A group of 10 is pared down to three finalists. Players with an asterisk did not make the final 10. Michigan's Hobey Baker Award Challengers T.J. HENSICK