Hobey Baker Watch List: Week 15

Story posted February 15, 2016 in CommRadio, Sports by Zach Green

The Bean Pot has come and gone with Boston College being crowned the champions. We are in the home stretch now of the college hockey season, and the race for the Hobey Baker is tighter than ever. After Jack Eichel was the first freshman to win the award last year, many don’t believe that the voters will select another freshman to win the award so soon. However, with another freshman atop the scoring charts, the vote is almost guaranteed to be close.

1. Jimmy Vesey (LW, Harvard)

Jimmy Vesey has had the weight of the world on his shoulders ever since he turned down a pro contract in the offseason in order to play in his senior season and to earn his degree. Tabbed as the early season favorite after being the only player named in the top three to return to school, Vesey has done everything to earn his reputation as one of, if not the best player in college hockey since then. Something to look out for as we head into the coming weekend and Harvard’s games against Cornell and Colgate, is a possible nagging injury for the senior standout. The lower body injury forced him out of the lineup for the first time all year in Harvard’s 4-1 victory over Union College.

2. Kyle Connor (F, Michigan)

What Kyle Connor has done in this his first year of college hockey is nothing short of incredible. Connor has taken the NCAA by storm, leading the nation in points by one over Andrew Poturalski. Connor also has an absurdly high plus minus rating of +30, showing just how good and potent Michigan’s offense is when he is on the ice. Some of Connor’s success can be attributed to his line mates JT Compher and Tyler Motte. Both of them are in the top 5 of all scorers in the NCAA.

3. Alex Lyon (G, Yale)

Alex Lyon is making his first appearance on our list coming in at the third spot. Yale’s night in night out goaltender has been as solid as any between the pipes. His play has been nothing short of outstanding, and he has the numbers to back it up. Lyon leads the nation in both save percentage and goals against average with a .944 save percentage and a 1.47 goals against average. He has carried the Bulldogs to a top 10 ranking as we head down the stretch and they get ready for the ECAC tournament.

Honorable Mentions

Andrew Poturalski (F, New Hampshire)- Poturalski has had an outstanding year. His efforts on the power play have been nothing short of monumental. His 13 powerplay points leads the nation.

Tyler Motte (F, Michigan)- Motte, with the help of line mate Kyle Connor, leads the league in goals. His play, while great, has been overshadowed by Connor.

Tyler Kelleher (F, New Hampshire)- What Kelleher lacks in size, he makes up for in his brilliant work on the puck. Kelleher leads the nation in assists by a large margin.

Zach Green is a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email zag5035@psu.edu.