Top 10 Hobey Baker Finalists Named

USCHO Newsbot · 03-20-2008, 07:30 PM

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation on Thursday announced the top 10 finalists for the 2008 Hobey Baker Award, honoring college hockey's top player. Alphabetically, they are Nathan Gerbe, Boston College; Ryan Jones, Miami; Lee Jubinville, Princeton; Simon Lambert, RIT; Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, North Dakota; Ryan Lasch, St. Cloud State; Jeff Lerg, Michigan State; T.J. Oshie, North Dakota; Kevin ...

Read more at uscho.com ...

electricjib · 03-20-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USCHO Newsbot

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation on Thursday announced the top 10 finalists for the 2008 Hobey Baker Award, honoring college hockey's top player. Alphabetically, they are Nathan Gerbe, Boston College; Ryan Jones, Miami; Lee Jubinville, Princeton; Simon Lambert, RIT; Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, North Dakota; Ryan Lasch, St. Cloud State; Jeff Lerg, Michigan State; T.J. Oshie, North Dakota; Kevin ...

Read more at uscho.com ...

Wow, i'm appauled. They're all great players but, wow. No Rau, or Bachman? They sure missed some key players. Wow the dropped the bomb a bit. How do they even figure Oshie? Rau has better numbers, and has all season.

If they put in Jeff Lerg and JPL, i mean seriously, Bachman has had better stats the whole season, and was a key contribution to where the team is. JPL only recently caught up to him. There is slight bias here, but i'm just blown away that not one CC player made this list....absolutely a let down and the hobey selectors really, i mean really dropped the ball.

LETSGOSIOUX · 03-20-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricjib

Wow, i'm appauled. They're all great players but, wow. No Rau, or Bachman? They sure missed some key players. Wow the dropped the bomb a bit. How do they even figure Oshie? Rau has better numbers, and has all season.

If they put in Jeff Lerg and JPL, i mean seriously, Bachman has had better stats the whole season, and was a key contribution to where the team is. JPL only recently caught up to him. There is slight bias here, but i'm just blown away that not one CC player made this list....absolutely a let down and the hobey selectors really, i mean really dropped the ball.

No doubt that I feel your pain. CC has been nothing short of spectacular this year. The stellar numbers coming from Rau and the rookie goaltender deserve some attention considering they (team) finished tops in the strongest conference in the country. If you want some overwhelming stats, check out the RPI rankings and the strength of schedule rankings. The WCHA teams will pop out and shed a whole new light on statistics.

Rimhsak · 03-21-2008, 01:01 AM

I think the only reason Bachman wasn't named is because he is a freshman. He will be a finalist next year. Although I am a Sioux fan I did not expect to see Oshie on the list. Rau should probably take his place.

omahasioux1 · 03-21-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rimhsak

I think the only reason Bachman wasn't named is because he is a freshman. He will be a finalist next year. Although I am a Sioux fan I did not expect to see Oshie on the list. Rau should probably take his place.

Oshie is probably the best player in college hockey. He just does not have the statistics to back him up.

thecrowflies · 03-21-2008, 09:27 AM

I can understand why fans would want Bachman to have a place in the top 10, and indeed he had a fantastic season, but I'm not surprised he didn't get in. I think the fact that he is a freshman was a consideration, as he still has multiple seasons left to impress the voters. But, JPL's numbers were better than Bachman ... in GAA, 1.6312 to 1.7485; in shutouts, 6 to 4; and save % is a wash at 0.934 to 0.935 (which means Bachman made 1 more save out of 1000 shot attempts); plus, JPL played in 5 more games (nearly 300 extra minutes) than Bachman this year.

I am definitely surprised at the inclusion of Oshie. Great player, no doubt. But, I think he got the nod more on reputation than stats this year.

I think Kevin Regan's nomination was well-deserved, as he has been a stud in Hockey East all season. UNH doesn't always get the recognition it deserves, so I'm happy to see them have a player in there this year.

maizenblue99 · 03-21-2008, 10:46 AM

they should change the name of this site to wcha.com. So seeing how everyone else on here is so biased, Chad Kolarik should be on this list

electricjib · 03-21-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecrowflies

I can understand why fans would want Bachman to have a place in the top 10, and indeed he had a fantastic season, but I'm not surprised he didn't get in. I think the fact that he is a freshman was a consideration, as he still has multiple seasons left to impress the voters. But, JPL's numbers were better than Bachman ... in GAA, 1.6312 to 1.7485; in shutouts, 6 to 4; and save % is a wash at 0.934 to 0.935 (which means Bachman made 1 more save out of 1000 shot attempts); plus, JPL played in 5 more games (nearly 300 extra minutes) than Bachman this year.

Yeah but he had better numbers then JPL all season right here tell the last weekend. And was more consistent all season long than JPL. And had more wins in less games played. The fact that he's a freshman shouldn't be a problem. There have been freshman in the running for the hobey before. The real question is, how does the WCHA POTY and ROTY not end up as a Hobey Candidate? Truth be told had he played the games Drew OC played, and OC had lost, he probably won a few more even!

Fighting Sioux are #1 · 03-21-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omahasioux1

Oshie is probably the best player in college hockey. He just does not have the statistics to back him up.

Yep, Oshie does more than get points, he plays hard, He is a hard worker. He gives it his all every second he is on the ice, and doesn't get rewarded for it. Like you said,he just doesnt have the statistics to back him up. I would like to see Kevin Porter, who ever he is from Michigan to play as hard as TJ does on the ice.

Tiger Mike · 03-21-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rimhsak

I think the only reason Bachman wasn't named is because he is a freshman. He will be a finalist next year. Although I am a Sioux fan I did not expect to see Oshie on the list. Rau should probably take his place.

I believe Rau should have made the list also. Rau does have better number especially with 6 short handed goals and a +16. Both speak to his ability to play both ends of the ice. Nothing turns the momentum of a game more than a shorthanded goal. It usually also takes a great amount of indivdual skill to finish a shorthanded situation. Big game goals, both have them, but where was Oshie during the last weekend with a chance to win the WCHA on the line? What limited scoring UND did have, Ohise was not part of.

It is a numbers game, as many who vote probably don't get to see to many of the games (and obviously none of the CC games). Most of the other players look pretty legit. You would have to look at how many points came against very weak opponents for some of these guys who play in weaker conferences. For examle there was a 10 -2 game the other weekend in one of the first vs last conference playoffs.

Just like the RPI has commented that a teams score has been adjusted to remove the affects of playing against weak opponents, a players numbers should be adjusted for torching weak sisters of the poor for 5 or 6 points a game.

electricjib · 03-21-2008, 01:32 PM

Everyone should read this. Bias could've clearly been a factor. CC got snubbed.

http://www.gazette.com/sports/hobey_...s_leaving.html

Oshie also got arrested....isn't there something about having great "Character"? getting arrested wouldn't make him have that! He's a thug.

maizenblue99 · 03-24-2008, 05:49 PM

ya that darn michigan guy porter isnt even close to oshie..............maybe he should go out and get arrested

DtownDogs · 03-24-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricjib

Everyone should read this. Bias could've clearly been a factor. CC got snubbed.

I hear you. CC got screwed. I can see not putting Bachman in because he is a freshman, but Rau and Hillen not being mentioned is quite a shame. I honestly think that Hillen is the best player I've seen this year. WCHA defensive player of the year, leads all defensemen in the nation for scoring. He is the quarterback of a potent CC power-play. Plus he does the little things right, he makes great first passes to get the breakout going and he is always playing D first, and when he needs to he is capable of playing much bigger than he is. Hillen is quite a rare "offensive defensemen", he is equally good on both sides of the puck.

BismarckFan · 03-25-2008, 05:17 PM

T.J. Oshie belongs in the final ten and should also actually have a good chance of receiving the coveted award, contrary to the belief of most; here is why:

Hobart Amory Hare Baker (Hobey Baker) refused to wear headgear on his football team.

Hobey Baker was penalized only once in hockey at Princeton, but with only a piece of leather on your head, hockey was a little different game then; you had to consider your own head in the fray!

Contrary to newspaper accounts of his day, Hobey Baker was not an ace; he had only three confirmed kills to his name rather than the necessary five.

In his debuting novel (believed to have been patterned after Baker's life) "This Side of Paradise", F. Scott Fitzgerald stated that Amory's father "...handed down to posterity his height of just under six feet and his tendency to waiver at critical moments, these two abstractions appearing in his son Amory."

Hobey Baker was killed in a plane crash just weeks after the end of World War I while test flying one of his squadron's newly repaired Spads near Toul, France.

Now, my commentary on the award's meaning helped by the above facts:

The Hobey Baker award honors a man who lived life to the very fullest, taking on sports, romance, and military quests with a passion; during a time when airplanes had barely been invented.

Anyone who knows combat pilots personally understands that alcohol has always been a crucial drug in numbing the emotional pain of air combat and its associated personal losses (fellow pilots, co-pilots, etc.), as well as a way to celebrate victories; certainly there must have been pilots who didn't drink, but they would not have been the norm. The point is, we all make mistakes or bad choices when we are young, especially those that live life with a passion, it's how we make up for those mistakes that's important!

Sioux fans have been blessed to watch T.J. Oshie play the game of hockey like it should be played, with an intense inner drive as if every shift is his last! He is unique among even the greats that have played at UND. He sets an enormous example of work ethic for young players that see him play! He has created a whole new example of "work ethic" for "iron range" hockey that is resulting in many players going on...

Hobey Baker wasn't perfect, but he must have lived life with a passion and "on a mission", just like T.J. No T. J. Oshie isn't a saint, just someone with a work ethic worthy of emulating! I suspect Hobey Baker smiled a little when he saw from above that T.J. is up for his award!

Fighting Sioux, through and through!!!

70gopher · 03-25-2008, 06:17 PM

I agree with the last post. And I would also submit that Ryan Jones is worthy of his mention. He works hard and makes everybody he plays with a better player, and in this the of ultimate team sports, nothing further needs be said. But the committee also looks at citizenship and again here is a person of note.

muredhawks2008 · 03-25-2008, 07:55 PM

I'm a Miami fan and we don't get to see much of the WCHA teams out here in Ohio. So I know nothing of this Oshie character. But I've seen Porter a couple of times this season and the guy is simply incredible. Let's put it into perspective...

Miami has a good deal (not great) of talent. But Porter made us a slow! Out of the three games that MU and UM played, he had one "bad" game (three point blank shots that were gloved on some great saves). To be completely honest, this guy is big, fast, and an incredible skill set. And guess what? ... he actually has the stats to back it up.

This guy will end up winning the Hobey running away.

maizenblue99 · 03-25-2008, 08:07 PM

i've seen "yoshi" play several times being that i live in colorado springs and he pales in comparison to porter

manurespreader · 03-26-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenblue99

they should change the name of this site to wcha.com. So seeing how everyone else on here is so biased, Chad Kolarik should be on this list

I agree he should be on the list, but he was hurt for a long time, which probably disqualified him

manurespreader · 03-26-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenblue99

i've seen "yoshi" play several times being that i live in colorado springs and he pales in comparison to porter

I would disagree with that. but Porter should win and he is a great player.

BismarckFan · 03-26-2008, 05:49 PM

One thing we can all agree on...this weekend big screens all over the continent allow us all the priviledge of viewing some of the best college hockey in history! My belief is that the players just keep getting better as time goes on, thanks to the great hockey tradition we have in North America.

For those of you who haven't seen Oshie play in person, he is a bright eyed light skinned, rosey cheeked "boy next door" with an infectious smile and an obvious love of the game. The last kid I saw play with Oshie's love of the game was Garret Roth who played for Bemidji State and prior to that for our Bismarck Bobcats junior team. It's the huge smile that permeates every second of every shift that give such a love of the game away! I'm looking forward to seeing Porter on the screen this weekend. I'd never diminish a player and he sounds like a great one as well!

Speaking of diminishing players, I was embarrassed for Minnesota coach Don Lucia, his players, and Minnesota alumni in general at the Final Five awards ceremony. The all-tournament team was announced immediately prior to the tournament MVP. Many, not all, Minnesota fans actually booed the selection of Peter Mannino of Denver as the goalie selected to the all-tournament team, followed by those same faces turning bright red when Minnesota's goalie, Alex Kangas, was announced as the tournament MVP!

Even worse, a local radio sports commentator the next morning complained to Lucia in an after-church interview about Kangas not being also included on the all-tournament team. Lucia, who exhibited a great deal of class in Mankato the previous weekend, politely explained to the arrogant pill that it was perfectly OK to include Mannino on the all-tournament team since the goaltenders at this year's tournament represented a large part of the story!

The only reason I bring this up is in the hope that all fans (including Sioux fans) come to understand that the booing of players both in the game introductions, during the game, and during awards presentations has no place in college hockey, period! We are so priviledged to be treated to college hockey! If there is one thing I would change if I were King it would be to see to it that every fan that gestured and called a goalie "seive" for the first time be immediately ushered out of the game, never to be allowed to return...

Let's Go Sioux!