First Team All Americans

F – Reilly Smith, Miami

After scoring only 8 goals in his Freshman season, Smith burst onto the scene in 2010-11, scoring 28 to lead the RedHawks, and adding 26 assists. His 21 goals in CCHA play led the league, and nationally he was 4th in points per game (and is the leading returner in that stat) and he was 5th nationally in points per game (and is the leading returner in that stat as well). Smith no doubt benefited from playing alongside Hobey winner Andy Miele last year, but he has more than enough talent on his own to prove that last year was no fluke and perhaps win his own Hobey this season.

F – Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College

Schwartz was en route to a Hobey finalist type season as a Freshman when he was hurt at the World Junior Championships. As it was, he had to settle for merely being excellent, as he still led the Tigers in scoring despite playing 13 fewer games than the player who finished 2nd on the team. Schwartz led the WCHA in points per game and was tied for 5th in points per game. The St. Louis Blues, who some people (me included) said reached for Schwartz in the first round in the 2010 draft, will no doubt be pursuing him hard this offseason, so college hockey fans should savor him in a CC uniform while it lasts.

F – Brian O’Neill, Yale

O’Neill is the last holdover from the Yale teams that have gone on a great run over the last couple of seasons. O’Neill led the Bulldogs with 20 goals and 46 points last season, and

is third in points per game among returning collegians. O’Neill has been great each of his past two seasons, but now he’ll have to do so while being the main guy on the team, rather than just one of the cogs. Can he? I think so. Will he? We’ll see.

D – Brian Dumoulin, Boston College

Doumolin

is probably the best all-around defender, and maybe player, in the country. He was 6th nationally in points per game among defensemen last year. It is fair to point out that the future Hurricane only had three goals, but Dumoulin’s best skill offensively is his vision and passing ability, which is especially useful with all of the speedy forwards that Boston College has. Defensively Dumoulin has been great as well, and at 6’4″, 210 lbs has an NHL ready body and is a good skater to go with that physicality (not to mention stick reach). I don’t think they really go together as a pair, but when he reaches the NHL I want to see the Hurricanes pair him with Justin Faulk just for fun.

D – Justin Schultz, Wisconsin

Last year, Brendan Smith put up an offensive season that I didn’t think would be matched by a defenseman for quite some time. Turns out it only took one season for one of his teammates to do it. Last year Schultz led all defensemen in points (47) and goals (18) and amongst all players he ranked 28th in points per game (ahead of 2nd teamer Jason Zucker I might add) and 52nd in goals per game (ahead of Jack Connolly). Right now Schultz might not be the best all-around player in the country, but he is my Hobey favorite.

G – Shane Madolora, RIT

His detractors will say that it was only Atlantic Hockey, and with RIT being the best team in that league last year, Madolora no doubt had a lot of help. I’ll simply say he led the country in save percentage (.935) and leave it at that.