Boston University’s Jack Eichel, North Dakota’s Zane McIntyre and Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey have been named the Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalists for 2015.
Eichel, considered the favorite for this year’s award, would become the first freshman to capture the Hobey since Paul Kariya did it for the University of Maine in 1993. Eichel led the country in scoring this year, with 67 points in 38 games, and captured a bounty of individual awards including the Hockey East Player of the Year and tournament MVP.
McIntyre, a Bruins draftee, emerged as arguably the best goalie in the country this season and set UND’s all-time mark in career goals-against average and save percentage. He led college hockey with 29 wins this season and finished 11th in GAA (2.00) and sixth in save percentage (.931) while helping North Dakota reach the Frozen Four.
Vesey, a Nashville draftee, led all NCAA skaters with 32 goals in 37 games and captured the ECAC’s Player of the year award in the process. He’s the first Hobey Baker finalist from Harvard in 10 years and recently stated his intention to return to school for his senior season, forgoing the opportunity to turn pro and join the Predators this season.