Hobey Baker Watch List: Week Six

Story posted November 23, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Zach Green

Week six of the college hockey season has come and gone with no change in the top three of the Hobey Baker race. The race is however tightening up as we hit the grind of the season where the best players will really separate themselves from the pack.

1. Thatcher Demko (G, Boston College)

Thatcher Demko and the Boston College Eagles defeated the New Hampshire Wildcats 6-3 this Saturday, improving their record to 10-1 with a conference record of 4-0. Demko, who has proven that he is the best goaltender in college hockey, has led the Eagles. The 2014 second round pick of the Vancouver Canucks has been dominant in goal, posting a goals against average of 1.18 with a save percentage to go along with that at .955. These numbers are incredible and rival those of 2001 Hobey Baker winner Ryan Miller. Thatcher and Boston College travel to Hartford to take on the UConn Huskies Tuesday night, and play host to RIT on Saturday night, where Demko will look to continue his dominant run of form.

2. Jimmy Vesey (LW, Harvard)

Jimmy Vesey and Harvard were not in action this past week as they prepare to travel to South Bend this week. Harvard has played an unusually small number of games thus far, having only played six. This has affected how some have viewed Vesey’s year, only seeing his raw point totals. This doesn’t take into account that he is just behind New Hampshire’s Tyler Kelleher in points per game with 1.83. The Crimson this week take part in one of the more exciting tournaments of the regular season when they take part in the Shillelagh Tournament hosted by Notre Dame. Harvard will take on Notre Dame on Friday night before playing either Rennselaer or Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon.

3. Jake Walman (D, Providence)

Providence has continued to play well following their National Championship year in 2015, thanks in no small part to the play of sophomore defenseman Jake Walman. He is currently tied for the lead in goals with nine to go along with his eight assists. Walman and the Friars swept the Northeastern Huskies this past weekend by scores of 5-2 and 3-0. Jake had two assists on Friday night to go along with another helper on Saturday. Providence hosts Yale this Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup of two of the nation’s best teams.

Honorable Mentions:

Tyler Kelleher (F, New Hampshire)

Greg Gibson (F, Robert Morris)

Dennis Kravchenko (F, UMass)

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