I don't typically like to make my Hobey Baker prediction list until at least February because I don't like to base things like this on previous performance and you just never know what the season will bring, but this year we have a lot of great players on the radar.
First the could, shoulda, wouldas…. The players that I could be writing about had they not forfeited their eligibility and signed a pro deal: Justin Schultz, Wisconsin, EDM; Chris Kreider, Boston College, NYR; Reilly Smith, Miami, DAL; Chris Wagner, Colgate, ANA; JT Brown, Minnesota Duluth, TBL; Brock Nelson, North Dakota, NYI; Alex Chiasson, Boston University, DAL; Cole Schneider, Connecticut, OTT; Jeremy Welsh, Union, CAR; Drew Shore, Denver, FLA; Mike Lee, St Cloud state, PHX; Brian Dumoulin, Boston College, CAR; Jason Zucker, Denver, MIN and Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College, STL.
Instead, I'll be writing about these guys:
Mark Zengerle - Junior, F, Wisconsin, UFA: With 50 points in 37 games last season for the underachieving Badgers, Zengerle was the scoring leader in Madison and in the Top Ten in the country due in large part to his playmaking skills resulting in 37 assists, but he made people take notice with some rather spectacular highlight reel goals. As a junior, he'll take on more leadership as he aims to break 100 career points as a Badger (currently at 86) and bring a trophy or two back to Madison.
Joey Diamond - Senior, F, Maine, UFA: With 47 points (25 g, 22 a) in 37 games for the Black Bears last season, he'll have a lot of pressure on his shoulders as he looks to lead Maine this year without Spencer Abbott and Bryan Flynn as his linemates - arguably the best line in college hockey last year. Was last year his breakout season as he more than doubled his point production from the previous two years in Orono? Or was he the beneficiary of great linemates?
Danny Kristo - Senior, F, North Dakota, MTL: Kristo has always been a notable player as a product of the USNTDP and gold medalist at the 2010 World Junior Championship, but it took a severe case of frostbite on his toes in his sophomore season that nearly resulted in amputation and the thought of life without hockey to push his game to another level. Decimated by injuries last year, the team formerly known as the Fighting Sioux, struggled throughout the season, but Kristo still managed to be a point per game player with 45 points in 42 games. North Dakota will have a very young, yet very talented team this season and Kristo will be a big part of their success. He brings leadership, versatility and an unquenchable desire to bring a national championship to Grand Forks.
Johnny Gaudreau - Sophomore, F, Boston College, CGY: We expected big things from him last year and at 5'7 (with skates on), 150 lbs (in all of his equipment....soaking wet) he didn't disappoint as he earned 45 points in 44 games (just one point behind team leader Chris Kreider) and helped the Eagles win their third National Championship in five years…as a freshman. We know this guy has incredible speed and sick hands, but will that be enough now that everyone in Hockey East knows exactly what he's capable of?
Ben Hanowski - Senior, F, St Cloud State, PIT: At 6'2, 200 only a fool overlooks a player like Hanowski. He doubled his career point total last year with 43 points in 39 games and looks to be fully recovered from his shoulder injury that plagued him in his sophomore season. He lead the Huskies in scoring by 9 points last year and will be a big part of their success this season…if he can stay healthy!
Matt Nieto - Junior, F, Boston University, SJS: With 42 points in 37 games on a Terrier team that has seen better days, Nieto will be the go to guy at BU this year. He's crazy fast, has great skills and protects the puck well. His development the past two years has been noteworthy and there's no reason to believe he wouldn't continue on that upward trend this season and work his way into the Hobey discussion.
TJ Tynan - Junior, F, Notre Dame, CBJ: After an impressive 54 points in 44 games his freshman year, he followed it up with 41 points in 39 games last year. Somewhat disappointing until you consider that he was the scoring leader for the Irish both seasons by nearly 10 points and has 95 points in just two seasons. He's quick. He's skilled and he's creative. He makes moves in the most crucial situations that most players only dream about being able to pull of…in a game of shinny.
Rylan Schwartz - Senior, F, Colorado College, UFA: Just one point behind his brother, linemate and now St Louis Blue, Jaden, Rylan will have to prove that he's just as effective on his own. He teammates don't question it, but the Tigers have a serious issue when it comes to offensive production and Rylan will be relied upon to carry a lot of that burden.
If you're a fan of a certain Big Ten team in the Land of 10,000 Lakes you'll notice that a name or two or three are missing from this list. That's because they're almost a package deal. As one goes, so do the others and so do the Gophers. It's not often that two players from the same team are in the Hobey Top Ten, let alone the Hat Trick, but it's a very real possibility this season, especially if Minnesota goes the distance like so many are expecting.
Erik Haula - Junior, F, Minnesota, MIN: With 49 points in 43 games, Haula led the Gophers in points and was in the Top Ten in the country and a lot of that had to do with the general success of the Gophers last season. With a very likely return to the Frozen Four on the horizon, there's no reason to believe Haula wouldn't put up Hobey-worthy numbers once again this season.
Nick Bjugstad - Junior, F, Minnesota, FLA: With 42 points in 40 games last year that more than doubled his points from his freshman season, Bjugstad is poised for a monster year with the Gophers. He's always had the skating and the skills and the size. The only missing piece was the strength and as each year passes and he's able to add some muscle to his 6'5 frame he just gets better and better and just about everyone is eager to see what he's capable of doing this year.
Kyle Rau - Sophomore, F, Minnesota, FLA: After an impressive freshman season with 43 points in 40 games, mush like Gaudreau, the question on everyone's mind is if he can do it again now that everyone know what he's capable of. If he can, he'll definitely be in the Hobey discussion.
Typically, the Hobey discussion is dominated by forwards that put up boat loads of points, but there's usually a defenseman or two that works their way into the conversation. This year that looks to be
Joey LaLeggia - Sophomore, D, Denver, EDM. After a stellar freshman season in which he earned 38 points in 43 games from the blueline and earned Rookie of the Year honors, expectations are high for him in Denver and with few returning upperclassmen to carry the load, the Pioneers are counting on him to exceed them.
Now, for the goalies….
Troy Grosenick - Junior, G, Union, UFA: Grosenick found himself on the college hockey map after posting a 1.65 GAA and .937 save percentage as he helped lead Union to the Frozen Four last season with 22 wins along the way. With so many returning players, the Flying Dutchmen are poised for another successful season and if Grosenick is a big part of it, he'll find himself in the Hobey discussion,
Frank Slubowski - Sophomore, G, Western Michigan, UFA: The Big Slubowski as he is affectionally known by his teammates, beat out junior Nick Pisellini to play 32 games earning a 2.03 GAA and .911 save percentage along the way to a CCHA Championship. With his steady improvement over the season, more experience under his belt and a more experienced team in front of him, the Broncos are hoping for big things from him this season.
Parker Milner - Senior, G, Boston College, UFA: Really hard to overlook a guy with two national championship rings, especially with his 29 wins, 1.66 GAA and .937 save percentage from last season. Having lost a lot of offensive firepower to graduation and early departures, the Eagles will be relying on Milner to keep the ship steady between the pipes. I'll be surprised if he's not in the Hobey mix come March.
Next in my crash course in college hockey, I'll tell you about some teams you should keep an eye on…..
In the meantime, enjoy this segment of the College Hockey Spotlight from last season and send in your college hockey questions in the comments, email, Twitter or Facebook.
Julie
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