Eichel Named a Hobey Hat Trick Finalist
April 2, 2015 | Men's Ice Hockey
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Freshman Jack Eichel of the Boston University men's ice hockey team has been named one of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, honoring college hockey's top player.
Eichel is joined by two other players with Boston ties, as Harvard junior Jimmy Vesey and North Dakota junior goaltender Zane McIntyre, a Bruins' draft pick, round out the Hobey Hat Trick.
The three finalists were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 27-member Selection Committee and an additional round of online fan balloting to determine this year's Hobey Baker winner. Criteria for the award includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.
Eichel leads the nation in scoring, collecting 67 points in just 38 games. He was the Hockey East Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Tournament MVP after becoming the first player in 16 years to average at least two points per game in league play. The rookie standout also leads the nation in assists (43), power play points (22) and plus/minus (+49).
Eichel will attempt to join Chris Drury (1998) and Matt Gilroy (2009) as Boston University's Hobey Baker winners. He is the first Hat Trick finalist from BU since Gilroy and Colin Wilson in 2009.
This year's Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 10, 2015 from Matthews Arena in Boston during the NCAA Frozen Four. Built in 1910 and known as Boston Arena back then, Matthews is the world's oldest hockey arena and is the only remaining rink where Princeton star Hobey Baker once played.
The 35th annual announcement will be televised live regionally on NESN and on the NHL Network at 5 p.m. ET, and at the Hobey website, www.hobeybakeraward.com.
