Hobey Sleepers for 2012

 The following article appeared July 20 on the College Hockey Blog Web site.

It’s hard to believe we have to discuss 2012 already given that we’re barely midway through 2011, but here we are. The Hobey Baker award seems to be one place where a genuine sleeper can come out and win the thing. I didn’t see Andy Miele or Matt Frattin on anyone’s Hobey list going into the 2010-11 season, as most people focused (rightfully so, probably) on how Gustav Nyquist was a run away favorite for the award. This year I don’t think there is a huge favorite. Jack Connolly would seem to be the first guy who jumps out, but without Mike Connolly and Justin Fontaine it is tough to see him winning the award. I would (obviously) pick the field over this group of 10, but these 10 guys have a better Hobey shot than you might think:

Greg Carey, F, St. Lawrence
Carey had 23 goals to lead ECAC Hockey last year as a Freshman. And he did it for a pretty terrible St. Lawrence team. While he will undoubtedly receive more attention from opponents next year, I think the Saints could make a bit of a jump in the ECAC race with the conference being a bit muddled this year outside of Cornell and Union. If St. Lawrence finishes midpack, and Carey has another 40 point season, he could find his way on the Hobey top 10.

Jeremy Welsh, F, Union
Welsh had 16 goals and 37 points for the ECAC champs last year, ranking  T-9th and 9th in the conference respectively. The one thing undermining his sleeper status the most is the glut of forwards he will have to compete with: Union welcomes back Kelly Zajac (13 goals, 42 points), Daniel Carr (20, 35) and Josh Jooris (9, 32). Union figures to be co-favorites in ECAC Hockey, so there’s no doubt someone from the team will get some Hobey pub, it’s just a matter of who.

Andrew Miller, F, Yale
While the Bulldogs won’t be favorites in ECAC Hockey this year, they still have a lot of offensive firepower returning. Miller’s 4 game winning goals tied for the Yale lead and he was 18th in the country in points per game last year. He got a lot of those points via the assist and the Hobey is more of a goal scorers award so he is a bit of a longshot, but I bet he will pile up the points again. 

Nick Bailen, D, RPI
Bailen’s .95 points per game were 3rd among defensemen last year and he was 24th in the entire country in assists per game. His 8 goals will need to be be approved upon if he wants to break into the Hobey top 10 (especially with Justin Schultz looking like a near lock) but he seems the best bet to get there.

Complete list and article can be accessed via the TCHB Web site by clicking here.