Minnesota Golden Gophers star defenseman Mike Reilly was named Thursday one of 10 finalists for college hockey’s top individual honor, the Hobey Baker Award.
Reilly, a junior from Chanhassen, Minnesota, finished the regular season with 42 points in 36 games. He’s the first Gopher defenseman to lead the team in scoring since Mike Crowley did so in 1996-97. Crowley was a Hobey Baker finalist that season, according to the University’s official release.
“I want to thank the coaches and fans that voted this year and included me as a finalist among a great field of candidates, and I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me and the team throughout the season,” Reilly said in the release. “This is a real honor, and I certainly appreciate it.”
Reilly was a First Team All-American as a sophomore and is the two-time reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
BREAKING: #Gophers Mike Reilly (@mreilly93) has been named a finalist for the @HobeyBakerAward. #PrideOnIce pic.twitter.com/pj0ZhxxPl4
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 19, 2015
Reilly is one of two defensemen selected as a finalist. The other eight include seven forwards and one goalie. USCHO.com has info on all finalists.
- Union senior forward Daniel Ciampini
- Boston University freshman forward Jack Eichel
- RIT senior forward Matt Garbowsky
- Michigan senior forward Zach Hyman
- Michigan Tech senior forward Tanner Kero
- Denver senior defenseman Joey LaLeggia
- North Dakota junior goaltender Zane McIntyre
- Harvard junior forward Jimmy Vesey
- Robert Morris senior forward Cody Wydo
Three finalists will be announced April 2 and the winner will be selected at the Frozen Four in Boston on April 10.
