Hobey Baker Watch: Week 3

Story posted November 2, 2017 in CommRadio, Sports by Josh Starr

Here are our analyst’s predictions on who has a chance to bring home the most prestigious award in college hockey through a month of the season.

Jimmy Schuldt, D, St. Cloud State

In his sophomore year, Schuldt had 19 points in 36 games. He also blocked a team-high 88 shots a year ago, solidifying himself as a top defenseman for his team and in the entire nation.

After the first five games of his junior season, Schuldt is on pace to obliterate his point total from last season. He has already scored four goals and added six helpers. Averaging two points per game as a defenseman is unheard of and will most likely go down as the season moves on. However, Schuldt will surely continue to produce for the Huskies.

As the leading scorer on the second-ranked team in the nation, Schuldt has earned himself a spot in the Hobey Baker race. With an experienced head coach like Bob Motzko, Schuldt will always be in a position to succeed when he is on the ice. Schuldt’s offensive prowess along with his steady defensive zone play will keep him in the Hobey Baker race and give him the chance to be just the second St. Cloud State player to win the award.

Jake Evans, F, Notre Dame

In his junior year, Evans put up 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points for the Fighting Irish.  For his senior season, Evans has been honored with the captaincy of the historic Notre Dame program and he has played like the team’s best player thus far.

In eight games, Evans has 15 points, 12 of which have come via assists. His three goals have come in different ways. He has scored on the power play, short handed, and at even strength. His versatility will keep his ice time up each weekend and his role on the Notre Dame power play will ensure that he remains a main point producer for the Irish.

With Notre Dame now a part of the Big Ten, Evans will be facing off against unfamiliar players this season. Time will tell how he reacts to that, but if his track record is any indication, Evans will have no trouble maintaining his production through Big Ten play.

Troy Terry, F, Denver

Terry had a dream season a year ago, winning the National Championship with Denver and the World Junior Championships gold medal with Team USA. Terry scored the clinching goal in the shootout in the final two games of the tournament, to lift Team USA over Russia and then Canada in the gold medal game.

In Terry’s sophomore season at Denver, he recorded a team-leading 45 points. He scored 22 goals in 35 games. After seeing his performance at the World Junior Championships, his skill is undeniable. He followed the World Juniors with an All-Frozen Four Team performance, assisting on four Denver goals in two Frozen Four games.

This season he is tied for the team lead with 10 points in six games. Terry has been unbelievably consistent over the course of his college career. He is a bonafide point scorer that shows up in the biggest of moments and will continue to do so for the Pioneers this season.

 

Josh Starr is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joshlstarr16@gmail.com.