Mark Hartigan, Darren Haydar and Jordan Leopold were named the three finalists for the 2002 Hobey Baker Award today, as determined by the selection committee and fan ballot.
This is the first time the Hobey Baker committee has announced the three finalists, and the first time the trio will be invited to the Award announcement ceremony, which takes place this year April 5 during Frozen Four weekend in St. Paul, Minn.
The finalists:
Mark Hartigan, Jr. F, St. Cloud State, Ft. St. John, B.C.
Leading the nation in goal scoring, Hartigan helped guide the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. Hartigan is currently tied for second in the nation in scoring with 75 points on 37 goals and 38 assists. His 6 short-handed goals lead the nation as well. The WCHA Player of the Year and First Team All-Star had 21 multiple-point games. On Wednesday, Hartigan, a free agent, signed a pro contract with the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL.
Darren Haydar, Sr., F, New Hampshire, Milton, Ont.
Haydar and his Wildcats will make a trip to the Frozen Four for the national title. Haydar enters as the leading scorer in the nation with 76 points on 31 goals and 45 assists. His assist total is second in the country. The team captain and Hockey East Player of the Year averages 1.95 points per game to lead the nation; he was MVP in three tournaments. Haydar is a draft pick of the Nashville Predators.
Jordan Leopold, Sr., D, Minnesota, Golden Valley, Minn.
A Hobey finalist for the second straight season, Leopold will be participating in the Frozen Four for the Gophers. He is currently tied as the top point-producing defenseman in the nation with 46 points on 20 goals and 26 assists in 42 games. The senior team captain was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, and First Team All-Star. Leopold is property of the Calgary Flames.
The Hobey Baker Award announcement will be carried live on Fox Sports Net beginning at 1:30 pm (CT). Check your local listings for live or tape delayed broadcast of the Hobey announcement.
The annual Hobey Baker Award banquet will take place on Friday, April 12 in the Grand Ballroom of RiverCentre in St. Paul. This year’s Hobey recipient will be honored along with this year’s Legend of Hockey, Sid Watson of Bowdoin coaching fame.
