Ryan Robbins writes:
>A freshman has never won the Hobey Baker Award. The award is supposed
>to be given to college hockey's best player for the season. Who the
>hell has had a greater impact on college hockey this year than Paul
>Kariya?
 
I don't agree with the second statement.  From what I can recall, the
"best player" idea is never mentioned in the Hobey criteria.  It does
refer to sportsmanship, academic achievement and off ice character.
 
If it was simply an award for the best college hockey player, Maine's
Scott Pellerin *probably* wouldn't have won last year.  IMHO, Pellerin
wouldn't have cracked the West's first team All-America line (Drake,
Felsner and Norris).
 
At this point in time, I see Ted Drury and Jim Montgomery as the two
favorites, in that order, with Derek Plante also receiving serious
consideration.  I don't believe that anyone in the CCHA is a major
threat to win the award, although MSU's Bryan Smolinski should be a
finalist.
 
  John H
  U Mich