I thiughtxxx thought I'd start some discussuiom on the Hobey finalists.
 
        Here's the list again:
 
        Craig Conroy, F, Clarkson
        Dean Dxxx Fedorchuk, F, Alaska-Fairbanks
        Neil Little, G, RPI
        Chris Marinucci, F, Minnesota-Duluth
        Sean McCann, D, Harvard
        David Oliver, F, Michigan
        Jamie Ram, G, Michigan Tech.
        Dwayne Roloson, G, UMass-Lowell
        Steve Shields, G, Michigan
        Brian Wiseman, F, Michigan
 
        All 10 are seniors so it looks like *this year* the Decathaloners
        want to make this a four year award. The selection commitee decides
        by deliberations over a conference call not by a vote. I know for sure
        that Ben Smith (coach NU), Buddy Powers (coach RPI), and
        Sean McDonough (of CNxx CBS fame) are on the committee, but so are
        a few more I can't remember.
 
        As for the chosen 10, everyxxx I originally thought Shields might
        be the most deserving based on his performance this year and his
        career, but then I think of the 60-foot floater he let in by Maine's
        Lee Saunders in the semis last year and I change my mind. (It's not
        a Maine thing, just that it was a small-time weak play in the biggest game
        of Shields career and that counts a lot in my book, no Maine flames please.)
 
        I don' think you can go wrong with Oliver or Wiseman. I think McCann on
        Harvard might be the dark-horse as the only defenseman listed in an off-year
        for forwards (Olympics, where have you gone Derek Plante when we need you?))
 
        What do y'all think?
 
        Neil Goldberg, Daily Free Press (BU)
 
        P.S. I'LL be hangin' around th pressbox at the Knick all weekend. Stop
        by and say howdy.