Some Early 2012 Hobey Candidates

With the 2011 season in the books, it’s never too early to look towards next year at who might win the 2012 Hobey  Baker Award.

Reilly Smith, F, Miami

Smith had 28 goals last year and was 4th in the country with 1.42 points per game. Of course the main question will be how he will play without Andy Miele giving him passes. There also is the matter that back to back Hobey winners haven’t been from the same school since Maine’s Scott Pellerin and Paul Kariya in 1992 and 1993.

Justin Schultz, D, Wisconsin

Schultz had 18 goals and 47 points for Wisconsin last year, both leading the country for defensemen. With Jake Gardiner signing with the Leafs, Schultz will be the guy for the Badgers, who should have a very good team next year. There have been two forwards who won the Hobey between each of the last two defensemen winners. Two forwards recently won the Hobey after Matt Gilroy won it in 09. It might be a defenseman’s turn in 2011.

Daniel Carr, F, Union

Union should be among the ECAC favorites next year, even without Keith Kinkaid, and Carr looks like he will be one of their best players. He had 20 goals as a Freshman, 2nd most among players who are returning next year in ECAC Hockey, and if Union is anywhere near their 29.5% power play, Carr should have the ability to rack up a lot more goals.

Jason Gregoire, F, North Dakota

With the Sioux losing their top line, Gregoire will be asked to fill some big shoes. He led North Dakota in goals his Sophomore year, and his .75 goals per game in WCHA conference play were 2nd in the league. Gregoire also moves the puck nicely, and has good awareness on the ice. If he is on a line with Corban Knight, which I assume he will be, he will have a lot of good passes to work with.

TJ Tynan, F, Notre Dame

Tynan or Anders Lee could go here, but I prefer Tynan because of his playmaking abilities and his ability to skate very well. Tynan was 22nd in points per game nationally and while I don’t think he has the ability to have a Miele type season, 54 points in the CCHA is really good and with Notre Dame a favorite to get to the Frozen Four someone from that team will end up being a top 10 guy. My money is on Tynan.

5 others:

Jason Zucker, F, Denver

Jaden Schwartz, F, Colorado College

Brian Dumoulin, D, Boston College

Cal Heeter, G, Ohio State

Drew Shore, F, Denver