Apologies to the list, but I'm unable to reply to Steve Twombly directly, so
below is my list of "Hockey-L Hobey Baker" nominees.
 
Also, if I remember correctly, we've done this on H-L in past seasons around
playoff time.  I recommend that when Steve has compiled a list of nominees,
the "voting" remain open at least through the end of the regular season.  At
that time, we can post stats for the nominees, which many people appreciate
seeing.
 
Anyway, I want to mention the following group for consideration.  Very CCHA
and Michigan top heavy, but these are the people I'm familiar with.  I doubt
that three people from the same school will be among the 10 finalists [this
hasn't happened before, right?], but Oliver, Shields and Wiseman are
arguably all deserving.
 
  Bruce Gardiner, F, Colgate
  John Gruden, D, Ferris State
  Steve Guolla, LW, Michigan State
  Chris Marinucci, F, Minnesota-Duluth
  Steve Martins, F, Harvard
  David Oliver, RW, Michigan
  Mike Pomichter, F, Boston Univ
  Steve Shields, G, Michigan
  Andrew Shier, F, Wisconsin
  Brian Wiseman, C, Michigan
 
Last season, all ten finalists were forwards, which I hope doesn't happen
again.  My All-CCHA defense is John Gruden and Jeff Wells [BGSU], and I'd
take Gruden if I had to pick between the two, hence his inclusion above.  If
there is a goaltender among the finalists, Shields seems to be the most
likely choice, but I'll also toss in the following names.  I don't think
they are in contention to win the Hobey, but they're worth mentioning among
college hockey's best.
 
  Mike Buzak, Michigan State
  Aaron Israel, Harvard
  Neil Little, RPI
  Dwayne Roloson, UMass-Lowell
 
I'm sure I'll get flamed for not mentioning Jamie Ram, who is leading the
WCHA in save percentage while Michigan Tech is in the cellar, but I'm still
not sold on him.
 
Best wishes,
 
  John H
  U Mich