Hobey Baker Watch: Week 21
The college hockey regular season is winding down, which means we’re getting closer to the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee announcing the recipient of the title of the best player in college hockey. In this week's watch, we discuss some of the nation’s best goalies who could potentially win the prestigious award.
Dryden McKay, Minnesota State
There is no doubt that the 22-year-old sophomore has established himself as the number one goalie in collegiate hockey. In 33 games played, Dryden McKay has posted a record of 27-3-2 with a save percentage of .942 and a goals-against average of 1.28. That’s without mentioning that McKay leads all collegiate goalies in shutouts with 10. McKay’s last three starts have resulted in shutouts versus Northern Michigan and Alabama-Huntsville.
McKay possesses an amazing amount of awareness and rebound control between the pipes. His dominant play in net has Minnesota State primed for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, only needing one point versus Bemidji State to secure the WCHA regular-season title and the first seed in the WCHA playoffs.
Frank Marotte, Clarkson
The graduate student transfer from Robert Morris has had a huge impact on Clarkson, as the Golden Knights are ranked No. 7 in the PairWise rankings. In his first year at Clarkson, Frank Marotte has gone 23-7-2 in 32 games played, posting four shutouts, a save percentage of .940 and a goals-against average of 1.71. Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, Marotte went 6-1 in his starts, only allowing a total of 10 goals.
Marotte exhibits great athleticism and strong use of his glove hand. He will have to play his best hockey this week, as Clarkson travels to No. 1 Cornell: a huge series as just two points separate the two teams for first in the ECAC.
Zach Driscoll, Bemidji State
Zach Driscoll has been lights out for No. 11 Bemidji State this season. In his second season at Bemidji State after transferring from St. Cloud State, the junior has produced a record of 18-6-4 in 28 games played with a save percentage of .936, a goals-against average of 1.63 and three shutouts to boot. From Jan. 25 to Feb. 22, Driscoll went 6-0-1, only allowing nine goals in that time frame.
Driscoll possesses a calm and cool demeanor between the pipes. He and Bemidji State are looking to sweep No. 2 Minnesota State this weekend in order to take part in a share of the WCHA regular-season crown and earn the No. 1 seed in the WCHA playoffs.
Jordan Hession is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email hessionjordan@gmail.com.