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
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