Hobey Baker

Today is the announcement of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner. The field has been narrowed to just three players, Matt Carle of DU, Chris Collins of BC, and Brian Elliott of Wisconsin. My pick is Matt Carle. That shouldn’t be surprise to anyone, but here’s why:
Matt Carle a junior Defenseman and Co-Captain for DU played in 39 games, scored 11 goals and assisted on 42 goals for 53 points. He committed 29 penalties for 58 minutes. What’s more, in 112 career games, he scored 29 career goals, had 94 career assists for 123 career points! Chris Collins is a senior Forward and Assistant Captain for BC. He played in 41 games, scored 34 goals, and assisted on 29 goals for 63 points. He committed 13 penalties for 26. In 161 career games, he scored 63 goals and had 59 assists for 122 career points. I’ve already enumerated all of the stats of Brian Elliott and so I won’t repeat myself. I will just say that he is the leader in all goaltending stats.
Okay, so why did I choose Matt Carle (besides my obvious bias)? He had a record season! 53 points for a defensemen is so insane…he joined DU’s century club this year as a junior defensemen which is pretty much unheard of. He is second on the all-time points by a defensemen in a single season, first in assists by a defensemen in a single season, third in career points by a defensemen, and second in lifetime assists by a defensemen. Imagine where he would be if he had stayed for his senior season! This year he was named Player of the Year and Defensemen of the Year by the WCHA, INCH, and USCHO. Also, he maintained a 3.3 grade point average (not an easy task at DU!) and was an all-around good guy.
Some (well one) drawback to Matt Carle is that his team didn’t make it to the NCAA tournament. That’s it. There aren’t any other drawbacks. He’s the whole package. Let’s hope that he wins it!! GOOD LUCK MATT!!!!